Betsey Johnson's Boston Fashion Show

It’s not often that Boston gets a big designer name walking its streets. The fact is, New York is the apple of every designer’s eye, and Boston is usually the place they visit for a decent bowl of chowder.

But this week, two popular clothing designers are in town with their covetable goods. While Christian Siriano, the memorable winner of the fourth season of Project Runway, is busy showcasing his 2011 Resort collection at Neiman Marcus in Copley Plaza today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the forever-youthful Betsey Johnson is doing us one better. A full-fledged fashion show is scheduled to go off on Saturday at the South End’s Cyclorama.

The show, a collaboration between Johnson and her brother Bobby, is a fundraiser for the South End Community Health Center, of which Bobby is president. The funds will be donated to their Breast Cancer Prevention program — a cause Betsey has long been familiar with due to her own battle with breast cancer.

For those unfamiliar with Johnson’s designs, her work is characterized by a playful mixture of girly details, sexy silhouettes, and strong design — all perfect traits for an event supporting women’s health and breast cancer awareness month. Her Spring 2012 collection was no exception, offering up powerful, seductive, lingerie-inspired looks for any confident femme fatale.

Anyone who buys a ticket will also get a first-hand look at Johnson’s presentation of her fall 2011 prêt-a-porter collection. And considering the 69-year-old designer finished off her most recent New York fashion show with a cartwheel, it’s clear that the clothes won’t be the only source of entertainment.

$75‒$500, Saturday, 7 p.m., Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., South End, 617-426-5000, info at bcaonline.org; buy tickets at sechc.org. —Ashley Wood