Signature Elements: Sheer craziness in pattern mixing. Zebra, magenta, and rhinestone studding with a huge heart on the side? SURE! Why not? And the crazy thing is, sometimes it works and all these screamingly different elements come together. Totally loyal to her rock ‘n’ roll roots from the 1960s.

Famous Handbag: Famous influences, like Andy Warhol, but there is not one that is “the” handbag. They all speak the same language — rockin bohemian. Shown here is one of her more tasteful designs, the Catwalk.

Founder: Betsey Johnson hails from Connecticut, starting out as a dance costume deisgner. As a top designer for fashion boutique Paraphernalia, she sealed her signature styles that weaved their way into her own shop, called Betsey Bunki Nin in 1969. In 1972, she won the Coty Award in fashion — the youngest person to do so. In 1978, she finally brought her real name into her business and started the label we know today with Chantal Bacon.

Company Control/Exclusivity: Betsey does her own thing. The website is http://www.betseyjohnson.com.