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Shop Betsey Johnson’s “Showgirls” Holiday Footwear
“Showgirls,” that alluringly controversial film starring Elizabeth Berkley, who plays the leading role of Nomi — a showgirl navigating the seedy yet captivating scene of Las Vegas strip clubs — is overdue for a celebration, just in time for its 30th anniversary. Fortunately, Betsey Johnson has stepped up for the task at hand, unveiling an homage to the glamour, theatrics, and confidence inherent to the cult classic that took the world by storm upon its release and continues to win over audiences in 2025.
The homage in question? None other than Betsey Johnson’s holiday collection this year, featuring Elizabeth Berkley herself and replete with designs that are as wearable as they are outspoken. Case in point: the Nikki Black Pump, which is a fit for every holiday soirée you have on the December social calendar, what with its mesh textile upper adorned by black beads and sequins. This slingback, with its three-inch heel height, is the ideal mix of the timeless and the statement-making, meaning you’ll find many occasions on which to wear it, versus doing so only once and promptly hiding it in the closet until next Christmas.
Betsey Johnson’s newest holiday campaign — launched in honor of the 30th anniversary of the movie “Showgirls” — will make you wish to hear the words “lights, camera, action.”
Courtesy Betsey Johnson
Want to go the floral route? Choose the brand’s April Black Multi Floral Heel: a pointed-toe beaut that was modeled by Berkley alongside a show-stopping headdress and a feather-bedecked cover-up. This shoe has an undeniable vintage flair to it, complete with floral stitching on mesh and a sharp stiletto heel for dancing the night away while keeping comfort at the center of your experience.
“Elizabeth and I have always believed in standing out, shining brighter, and dancing to your own rhythm,” Betsey Johnson, the 83-year-old designer and founder of her eponymous, industry-defining label, said in a press release timed to the launch. “She’s the original showgirl, bold, fearless, and
fabulous. This holiday, it’s all about owning your moment.”
We’ll cheers to that, while grabbing Betsey Johnson’s more-is-more Hudsn Black Star Boot — one of the most innovative arrivals we’ve seen in the footwear universe this year, thanks to its rhinestone-wrapped upper and star design that gives traditional combat boots a run for their money.
Also in our editors’ shopping carts is the Grayce Leopard Multi Loafer and the Pamella Red Plaid Boot. While the former transforms one of fall 2025’s hottest shoe styles into something wild and free and covetable — courtesy of its central pearl brooch and convergence of leopard print with houndstooth — the latter is the holiday season incarnate, with its sequin-blessed tweed material and plaid print (this, after all, is one of the key attributes of the “Ralph Lauren Christmas” trend dominating fashion as we speak).
For Berkley, this collaboration is clearly and utterly personal — more than many stars can say for themselves and their branded pursuits. As legend has it, the actress spent her first “Saved by the Bell” paycheck at a Betsey Johnson store and then wore a dress of the designer’s to her “Showgirls” audition. Betsey Johnson’s holiday 2025 collection, then, is nothing if not a full circle moment for the star.
“I’ve worn her creations since I was a teen. Like the perfect mixtape, her clothing has been the soundtrack to so many memories, marking different ages, stages, and milestones in my life,” Berkley shared in a press release.
Ready to launch your own “Showgirl” era, whether you’re doing it the Berkley, the Swift, or the Johnson way? These trending styles will get you there (leaving a trail of sparkles in their wake).
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD and FN. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska frequently covers must-shop footwear, seasonal shoe trends, and just-launched holiday collections worth readers’ money.
