Elizabeth Berkley has reprised her iconic “Showgirls” role for a dazzling Betsey Johnson holiday campaign, celebrating the film’s 30th anniversary with a series of glamorous photoshoots that blend nostalgia with modern empowerment. This collaboration, launched in November 2025, features Berkley in showgirl-inspired outfits, emphasizing bold individuality and personal history through feathers, sequins, and fishnets.
The campaign showcases Berkley in a variety of extravagant looks designed to evoke the spirit of her 1995 character Nomi Malone. She models a black blazer-style mini dress paired with a dramatic feathered headdress, sheer fishnet stockings, and pointy-toe heels, capturing the essence of a Vegas showgirl. In other sets, she wears a white ruffled high-low skirt with a lace blazer and matching white feathered headpiece, inspired by “Moulin Rouge!” aesthetics, as well as a silver bodysuit with fringed shoulder pads and a hot pink feather boa. All photos are set in a backstage environment that pays homage to the film’s legacy, with Zoey Grossman credited as the photographer.
This partnership holds deep personal significance for Berkley, who revealed in an exclusive interview with People that she wore a Betsey Johnson floral print dress to her “Showgirls” audition at age 20. She also spent her first paychecks from “Saved by the Bell” at a Betsey Johnson store, describing the designer’s clothes as her “cape” during her teenage years. Betsey Johnson, 83, reciprocated the admiration, calling Berkley the “original showgirl” and emphasizing that her designs aim to make women feel confident, special, and empowered through playfulness and strength.
The campaign includes several Easter eggs for fans, such as the reappearance of the iconic hot pink fringe spaghetti-strap dress from “Showgirls” and hidden recital pictures from Berkley’s childhood dance studio in Farmington Hills, Michigan. These elements add layers of personal history and nostalgia, transforming the fashion shoot into a reflective narrative of Berkley’s journey from a young dancer to a resilient public figure. Berkley described the experience as a “beautiful marriage of two worlds,” combining the glamour of her film role with Johnson’s iconic designs.
Both Berkley and Johnson highlighted the evolution of the “showgirl” concept over the past 30 years, citing Taylor Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” as a modern interpretation that embodies resilience and ownership of one’s narrative. Johnson noted that showgirls represent powerful women who have fun, perform, and exude confidence, while Berkley added that for her, a showgirl now signifies someone with depth, meaning, and a story to tell. This shift from the film’s original portrayal to a broader symbol of strength underscores the campaign’s message of self-expression.
Available for holiday shopping, the collection features dresses, shoes, and accessories that embody Johnson’s signature bold color, camp theatrics, and all-out confidence. According to the press release, the campaign invites everyone to “own their spotlight and stand out this season,” blending fantasy and nostalgia into a show-stopping spectacle. Products include maximalist sneakers, plaid-clad boots, and other items that reflect the playful yet empowering ethos of both the designer and the actress.
As the holiday season begins, this campaign not only revitalizes Berkley’s iconic role but also reinforces the enduring appeal of showgirl glamour in contemporary fashion. It serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and personal history in creating meaningful brand experiences, potentially influencing holiday trends and consumer engagement. Fans of “Showgirls” and Betsey Johnson alike can appreciate this full-circle moment that celebrates individuality and the timeless allure of performance artistry.
