boutique Thursday at Ala Moana Center, sans cartwheels or high karate kicks — her trademark runway moves.

But there were smiles and giddy laughter galore as Johnson greeted surprised customers perusing her pink shop's vibrant offerings of flirty dresses, shoes and accessories.

"I really love to see a new store," said Johnson, wearing a turquoise shirt, black and white cheetah-print skirt, and glittery green socks with wedges. Her Ala Moana boutique, the only one in the state, opened last fall.

Johnson, 62, flew in from New York for a quick one-day stop in Honolulu to meet and greet her Hawai'i fans.

"When I got to the hotel, I thought, 'Oh, why?! Why didn't I add one or two more days to really see the island?!'" said Johnson, adorned with an orchid lei and sipping champagne.

Betsey Johnson says hanging around with younger people helps keeps the zing in her life. By Dan Lecca

"You know how old I am and I wear it," she said and laughed.

Despite her jam-packed schedule, Johnson made time to sit down for our "5 Questions":

Q. How would you describe your designs? I've heard your style described as sexy, very whimsical and hippie-inspired.

A. Yeah, but you know, I think it's classic and timeless in a funny way. Sexiness is made by the girl. I've never believed there's a "sexy" dress. It's the wearer that makes it (sexy).

Q. Where do your ideas come from?

A. I love vintage clothing. It's my real inspiration, I mean, between old movies and vintage clothing. I get a lot of ideas from vintage clothing, costumes, ballgowns and old movies. Sometimes you get a real writer's block, and especially now without any kind of trends going on, you kind of have to make half of it up.

Simple yet sassy, Betsey Johnson's collection appeals to the young and young at heart. By Dan Lecca

A. I wouldn't dress anybody. I think I'd collaborate with Gwen Stefani. She's kind of my fave "girl of style." I've worked with her stylist and I've met (Stefani) here and there. It's been really fun to watch her blossom. I think she's great.

Q. You've been at the forefront of fashion since the 1960's. What keeps you going?

A. The leveler for Ralph (Lauren), for Donna (Karen), for me, for anybody in this business, is there is no guarantee. You never can get in that rocking chair and think, "Hey, I'm made in the shade." No. Sure enough, there's H&M (laughs). I mean, sure enough, there is always hot competition on your tail, and you love it and you want to stay into it, so you work hard. It's kind of like being a happy robot. I wouldn't want to do anything else.

Q. This is a compliment: You don't look or act your age. What's your secret?

A. I know, the acting part, is that a problem (laughs)? My sister, she's 64 and she's a young type and my brother's a young type. I don't know. I like to hang around with younger people. ... I think I've always lived in a slightly fantasy, make-believe world of costumes and dancing. And I never could grow up.