Purple silk velvet Opéra coat Halston
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Width: 16.54 in (42 cm)Length: 44.89 in (114 cm)Marked Size: L (US)Bust: 36.23 in (92 cm)Waist: 35.44 in (90 cm)Hip: 43.31 in (110 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 25.2 in (64 cm)
- Style:Circa 1970 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Elastic waistband. Rayon lining.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
- Reference Number:
Halston
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Wool tartan dress-coat with leather belt GALANOS for Neiman MarcusBy GalanosLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRWool tartan dress-coat mix brown and beige with leather belt. No fabric composition tag but wool. No lining but piping. Thin shoulder pads. SIZE LCategory
1980s American Coats and Outerwear
- Wool oversize coat with leopard print Golden GooseBy Golden GooseLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRWool oversize coat with leopard print. Main fabric composition: 58% wool, 26% polyamide. Lining( on the shoulders only) 64% rayon, 36% cupro. Inside sleeves lining: 100% rayon. No li...Category
2010s Italian Overcoats
- Double-breasted wool coat with mink collar PradaBy PradaLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRDouble-breasted wool coat with mink collar. No fabric tag for lining composition but probably rayon. Boiled wool on the collar, waist and middle fro...Category
2010s Italian Coats and Outerwear
- Evening coat in black lace with black silk satin edge and collar Circa 1930'sLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FREvening coat in black lace with black silk satin edge and collar. Small fabric button in the middle front. SIZE MCategory
1930s European Coats and Outerwear
- Black wool jacquard coat with pink printed lining Christian Lacroix ParisBy Christian Lacroix ParisLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack wool jacquard coat with pink printed lining . Impossible to read the fabric composition but it's wool probably mix with silk and nylon. SIZE XXLCategory
1990s Unknown Coats and Outerwear
- Black wool trench coat Jean-Paul GaultierBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack wool trench coat . Pocket, raglan, snap. SIZE M/LCategory
1990s Italian Trench Coats
- THE ROW black MINK FUR Collarless Short Jacket XSBy The RowLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic The Row collarless jacket in black real dyed mink (100%). Opens with two hooks on the front. Lined in blue silk (100%). Has been worn and is in excellent condition. co...Category
2010s Coats
- Purple Mongolian Lamb 1980s Oversized Fur JacketLocated in Scottsdale, AZTake on the cold weather in style! Circa 1980s, this oversized jacket is made of soft purple dyed Mongolian lamb and features a tonal rabbit fur trim around the entire hem and cuffs....Category
1980s Unknown Fur Puffer Coats
- Sophisticated Russian Sable Mid Length Fur Coat with 3/4 Length SleevesLocated in Tustin, CAVery sophisticated and lavish, genuine regal Russian Sable fur coat features a large and very high fashion wide shawl style collar. The fur is a very rich, dark brown with beautiful ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Overcoats
- Brand new Birger Christensen Ranch Female Mink Fur Trench Coat (Size 14-M/L)By Birger ChristensenLocated in Montreal, QuebecPRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Birger Christensen Ranch female mink fur full length trench coat with long sleeves that can be rolled and gracious sweep Condition: ...Category
2010s Danish Coats
- Alexander McQueen Men's blue denim trench coatBy Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBAlexander McQueen Men's blue denim trench coatCategory
Early 2000s British Coats and Outerwear
- 1960s Black Cotton Jacquard Fitted Long Coat, 60sLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1960s Black Cotton Jacquard evening long coat/ Jacket with 2 front pockets.. This coat is in excellent condition and is barely worn. coat is lined beautifully in silk jacquard. Fi...Category
1960s French Dinner Jackets
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Behind the 1970s and ’80s Glam of ‘Halston’ with the Hit Show’s Costume Designer
Jeriana San Juan explains how she undertook the intimidating project of designing costumes for the new Netflix series about the New York fashion legend. (Hint: She found vintage Halston on 1stDibs!)
The Best Ways to Dress for Your Astrological Sign
Makeup and astrology expert Linda Mason dispenses fashion advice for every zodiac sign. Does your wardrobe match your horoscope?