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Ensemble

1970-1975 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

As the designer for the American fashion label Alley Cat in the early 1970s, Betsey Johnson created inexpensive clothing with a whimsical spirit. Alley Cat favoured bright colours and distinctive prints, many of which Johnson designed herself. This knitted top and skirt is a fine example of Johnson's early work. With its hot pink colour and provocative intarsia-knit design featuring nude female figures it typifies Johnson's Alley Cat designs.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Jumper
  • Sweater
  • Skirt
Materials and techniques
Machine-knitted wool yarn
Brief description
Ensemble, knitted wool, pink and yellow, with nude figures, Johnson, Betsey for Alley Cat, New York, 1970-1975.
Physical description
Sweater and knee-length A-line skirt in hot pink wool with knitted design of yellow nude figures. On the slim-fitting sweater two female figures are shown in the act of removing white garments , the design is repeated on the back. The A-line skirt features nude figures doing various tasks, such as raking, sweeping with a broom, carrying baskets, and watering flowers.
Dimensions
  • Sweater length: 40cm
  • Sweater waist circumference: 60cm
  • Bust circumference: 75cm
  • Skirt length: 65cm
All measurements taken from garment in relaxed, unstretched state
Production typeReady to wear
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'ALLEY CAT' (arrow pointing at picture of cat, speech bubble saying:) 'BY BETSEY JOHNSON' (Label in skirt)
  • 'ALL PURE WOOL/The American Way With Wool (R) FABRIC MADE IN U.S.A' (Label attached below the Alley Cat label)
Subjects depicted
Summary
As the designer for the American fashion label Alley Cat in the early 1970s, Betsey Johnson created inexpensive clothing with a whimsical spirit. Alley Cat favoured bright colours and distinctive prints, many of which Johnson designed herself. This knitted top and skirt is a fine example of Johnson's early work. With its hot pink colour and provocative intarsia-knit design featuring nude female figures it typifies Johnson's Alley Cat designs.
Collection
Accession number
T.113:1, 2-2009

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Record createdJuly 28, 2009
Record URL
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