1932-1990 Halston

[Boomer]

Big News!!

It seems that every week we're hearing of another A-list actor jumping at the bit to play a fashion designer on the big screen. Right now it's Jude Law who is said to be in the running to play Halston in an upcoming biopic produced by Harvey Weinstein who took ownership of the label last year.
It's savvy marketing from the Halston camp what with a show scheduled next month at New York Fashion Week, marking the label's return to the industry.

Catwalk Queen, London 1/3/08

 

[Nenipu]

I´m afraid of seeing Zoettes with a pillbox in the Red Carpet...

 

[Boomer]

^^

 

[SomethingElse]

1980s, beaded, lined chiffon.

imamuseum.org

 

[SomethingElse]

c. 1976, spandex bathing suit.

imamuseum.org

 

[iluvjeisa]

Halston had such broad shoulders. He was actually rather sexy, I would never have expected that. I'm reading "Simply Halston" right now - not very scandalous by today's standards.

 

[Boomer]

^^ That's true- but at the time!! And it was all so sad, he was really on the top of several worlds, and crashed and was gone in no time...Such a waste...
But I loved his personal style..Tall, handsome, tan, chic...Very impressive...

 

[DosViolines]

Simply Halston

April 12, 2008-January 4, 2009
Paul Fashion Arts Gallery

Roy Halston Frowick (1932–1990) was born in Iowa and grew up in Indiana. He began his career as a milliner and later designed the hat Jacqueline Kennedy wore at her husband’s inauguration in 1961. A master of cut, he was a favorite of many celebrities and designed clothes for Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Anjelica Huston and Lauren Bacall. Most of the approximately 32 designs in this exhibition are drawn from the IMA’s fashion arts collection.

Take a virtual tour of the exhibition Simply Halston.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Dress
Creation date 1981
Materials silk organza, mirrors, sequins, glass beads, bugle beads, pearl beads, metallic threads

Halston's first glittery ensembles appeared in his 1973 collection. Simple silhouettes adorned with sophisticated beaded patterns associated glitter with good taste and wealth.

The Indian influence of this design is evident in the use of mirrors. By 1978 all of Halston's beaded dresses were made in India.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Dress
Creation date 1980
Materials silk organza, silk velvet

Halston once said, "I love the idea of a ruffle that seems to come from nothing. I like things that look sculptured and yet are soft." The period from late 1970s to early 1980s is known as Halston's ruffle period.

The ruffles and body of this blouse were created from one piece of fabric by cutting several layers of ruffles in minimally graduated widths, one of Halston's innovative techniques.

imamuseum.org

 

[Boomer]

Thanks DV!! He was a genius!!

 

[DosViolines]

My pleasure!

Caftan
Creation date about 1972
Materials silk jersey, tie-dyed

Halston's interpretation of the classic caftan became one of his most successful creations. His elegant caftans embodied comfort, luxury, and glamour all at the same time.

This caftan is quintessentially Halston: dressy casual and classically modern. Based on the simple style of the T-shirt, it was tie-dyed in a custom pattern that evokes Minimalism.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Dress
Creation date about 1977
Materials silk crepe de chine, printed

Halston was a master of creating dresses that were sexy and elegant by exposing just the right amount of skin.

The print on this strapless dress was designed by Halston, and the style reveals his adherence to Minimalist principles in his designs. The fabric is cut on the bias in a spiral shape. The uncluttered construction results in a classic silhouette.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Dress
Creation date 1981
Materials silk organza, bugle beads, glass beads, sequins

When Halston began using glitter in his designs, the results were sexier and more spectacular than any other designer's. He said, "I can do the jazziest clothes, dress the jazziest people."

This chemise dress with a dipping hemline is embroidered in an all-over design. The fabric has been dyed to create a range of hues, from deep yellow to orange.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Jumpsuit
Creation date about 1970
Materials cashmere

Halston changed the way people thought about jumpsuits by transforming the garb of auto mechanics and skiers into glamorous, comfortable evening wear.

This halter-top jumpsuit with bell-bottom pant legs is made from exquisite cashmere, a favorite of Halston's since childhood.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Dress
Creation date 1976-1978
Materials cashmere

Halston was the inventor of the first truly American style of high fashion. He focused on simplicity and ease.

"I think the one-piece dress is the most useful for most people," he once said. Halston used cashmere to make the simplest of silhouettes luxurious to wear.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Ensemble
Creation date about 1980
Materials Silk Georgette

For prints, Halston leaned toward abstract patterns-soft washes and brushstrokes rather than identifiable motifs. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, inspired by Kandinsky, he employed prints with soft-edged zig-zags, circles and rectangles.

On a visit to Japan in 1980, Halston was inspired by Japanese designs. This extraordinary pattern, custom to this dress, was hand-printed in Japan.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Ensemble
Creation date about 1970
Materials crushed silk velvet, tie-dyed

Halston's first runway show in 1968 was the debut for his "pajama dressing." The style was simple, the line uncomplicated, and fabrics were interesting and unexpected.

In the 1960s and 1970s tie-dying was popular among hippies and flower children. Halston's adaptation, a style known as "hippy chic," shows how street fashion influenced high fashion.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Ensemble
Creation date about 1976
Materials textured silk

In 1976 it seemed that every fashionable woman was wearing Halston's asymmetrical neckline dress, according to a News York Times article from that year. A Halston signature, it was so popular that he interpreted it in many fabrics and a variety of styles.

This evening pajama has a two-piece bias-cut top. The straight-leg trousers are also cut on the bias, allowing the fabric to drape and flow when worn.

imamuseum.org

 

[DosViolines]

Evening Dress
Creation date 1970s
Materials Silk Chiffon

Halston said, "Chiffon is the most beautiful feminine fabric for women of every age."

The halter bodice of this dramatic evening dress is constructed of four layers of chiffon. The petal skirt is constructed with three layers of doubled chiffon in a sarong wrap, revealing the leg several inches above the knee in the front and dropping to the floor in back.

imamuseum.org