Betsey Johnson—the label, not the ageless sprite of a designer—turns 30 this year. Johnson’s anniversary party kicks off tomorrow at her fall runway show, but you can bet your patent pumps that she of hot-pink tutu dresses and platinum dreadlocks will continue the festivities during the next 12 months. Hoping to catch her practicing her signature show finale cartwheel, we snuck into her studio earlier this week. Instead, we found Johnson with feet planted firmly on the ground as she recalled her illustrious career, looking forward to the challenges (and ideally more free time) ahead. For more on the inimitable fashion hall of famer—including her inspirations for fall 08 and words of wisdom for aspiring designers—gaze on*:

*Please ignore my inexplicably excessive use of the word “totally.”