Halston One Piece Swimsuit

Recognized for the understated but wholly glamorous fashions he introduced in the 1970s, and revered today for his vintage dresses, sunglasses, handbags and other enduring designs, Roy Halston Frowick defined the spare, body-conscious style of the so-called Studio 54 era. In doing so, he became a legend himself, known simply as Halston, a lean moniker that represented the visionary minimalist ideals he would inject into the world of fashion.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa — but raised in Evansville, Indiana — Halston moved to Chicago in 1952, where he worked as a window dresser by day and studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago at night. In the late 1950s, he moved to New York City. As the hat designer for Bergdorf Goodman, he had his first encounter with fame in 1961 when Jackie Kennedy wore a pillbox hat he designed to President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. Less than a decade later, after hats fell out of fashion and sales plummeted, Halston launched his own ready-to-wear line and opened a ​​Madison Avenue boutique.

One of Halston’s early successes was the sexy Ultrasuede shirtdress, an unassuming adaptation of a man’s oxford shirt introduced in 1972 that became a fashion staple for the well-dressed woman. Named for a washable synthetic fabric that evokes the feel of suede — Halston is said to have previously seen innovative designer Issey Miyake wearing the material — the Ultrasuede shirtdress was cut to complement many figures with buttons that began at the breastbone rather than at the garment’s structured neckline. In one season, 60,000 were sold. Ultrasuede became a Halston signature, and he would use the fabric in coats, luggage and other items.

But it was his seductively simple nightlife designs that made Halston an international name. Often cut on the bias or sewn with single seams, his garments were constructed to flatter the female form like no evening gowns that had come before, popularizing such styles as the halter dress. “Halston brought a spark of the divine to everything he did,” said model Pat Cleveland during an interview about the 2021 Netflix series based on his life.

And, for a while, the designer was as ubiquitous in the clubs as his designs. “For two decades, [Halston] was the king of New York nightlife,” wrote Steven Gaines in Vanity Fair. He was a regular at Studio 54, partying with the likes of Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger, Liza Minnelli and his Halstonettes, his coterie of glamorous models and muses that included Elsa Peretti. The close friend and collaborator of Halston’s transformed diamond jewelry for Tiffany & Co. after signing a contract with the storied American luxury house in 1974.

Halston won four Coty American Fashion Critics' Awards over the course of his career. In 1973, he sold his company to Norton Simon, and in the early 1980s, it switched ownership again. By 1984, neither his name nor his company were his own. Halston continued to work, however. He collaborated with close friend and legendary choreographer Martha Graham, designing critically acclaimed costumes for her, including for her dance work Persephone in 1987. Halston died of complications from AIDS in 1990.

Today, Halston’s designs can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and more.

Find vintage Halston clothing and fashion accessories today on 1stDibs.

From Esther Williams’s glamorous one-piece wonders to Brigitte Bardot’s bombshell bikini on the beaches of Cannes, swimwear has made headlines and raised eyebrows for years. After all, who doesn’t want to wear alluring vintage or designer swimwear for a trip to the beach or poolside relaxation?

Design, style and the amount of skin shown have all made news when it comes to swimwear. While in the 19th century women often sported skirts over bloomers when they visited the shore, by the early 20th century, many were wearing sleek Jantzen suits that would influence the swimsuits women wear today.

By the mid-century, cutouts and two-piece suits were pushing the boundaries of swimwear, with designer Rudi Gernreich debuting the daring topless monokini in 1964. In the 1970s, legendary designers such as Halston were applying an evening-wear aesthetic to swimwear, adding plunging necklines, ruching and even beadwork. Maillots and bikinis began to feature strapless designs.

Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli and Versace are among the designers who have left their mark in the swimwear world with bold prints and cuts as well as a wide range of dazzling embellishments.

Today, swimsuits are crafted with both function and style in mind for swimming, lounging and making a statement in and out of the water. Browse an extensive collection of vintage and designer swimwear on 1stDibs.