1976 HALSTON cocoa jersey spiral cut strapless gown
View Similar Items
1976 HALSTON cocoa jersey spiral cut strapless gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 54 in (137.16 cm)Bust: 32 in (81.28 cm)Waist: 40 in (101.6 cm)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:nylon jersey
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU140326812424
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.
- 1970's SCOTT BARRIE black jersey dressBy Scott BarrieLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, jersey dress designed by Scott Barrie dating to the 1970's. Dress fits a size 4. Dress measures approximately 32" at bust, 13" at smallest point of shoulders and 15.5" alo...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
$450 Sale Price28% Off - Azzedine Alaia zig zag cranberry chenille knit dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CACranberry, chenille knit dress with woven zig- zag pattern from Azzedine Alaia. Labeled a French size 38 which would best fit a US 4 or 6. Zips up center back. Made in Italy. New wit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Sorelle Fontana charcoal grey wool dress with gold brocade detail, 1960sBy Sorelle FontanaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare charcoal wool dress with gold brocade insert and decorative beaded buttons designed by the Fontana sisters 'Sorelle Fontana' dating to the ea...Category
1960s Italian Day Dresses
$450 Sale Price35% Off - COMME DES GARCONS navy blue sheer dress with rufflesBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in San Fransisco, CANavy blue, asymmetrically cut dress with ruffles from Comme Des Garcons dating to 2008. Size S. Approximate measurements: bust 38", hip 42" and length 40". Sli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Day Dresses
- 1994 ANN DEMEULEMEESTER pink and black velvet maxi dressBy Ann DemeulemeesterLocated in San Fransisco, CASoft pink and black semi-sheer, velvet maxi dress designed by Ann Demeulemeester dating to the 1994. Belgian size 38 which best fits a US 4 or 6. Approximate measurements: bust 36", ...Category
1990s Belgian Maxi Dresses
- 1990's ROMEO GIGLI brown velvet dress with asymmetrical hemlineBy Romeo GigliLocated in San Fransisco, CABrown velvet dress with v-neck and asymmetrical hemline from Romeo Gigli dating to the 1990's. Fits a size 6 or 8. Approximate measurements: shoulde...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
$195 Sale Price44% Off
- Runway Yves Saint Laurent S/S 1989 Lipstick Red Rayon Jersey Strapless 80s DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Diego, CASensational vintage YSL Rive Gauche spring / summer 1989 runway lipstick red rayon jersey strapless 1980s dress ! The same dress was featured on the runway in black. Sash at side wai...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Tulle Sleeveless Shift DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black pleated chiffon Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2001 collection, the top version of this dress in pink debuted on the season's runway as pa...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Andrea Wilkin 1970s Silk Ivory Fantasy Bridal Dress in Edwardian StyleBy Andrea WilkinLocated in London, GBThis exquisite Andrea Wilkin 1970s fantasy bridal gown in soft ivory exudes femininity and is in wonderful condition. Layers of silk fabric are beautifully arranged to create the cla...Category
1970s British Wedding Dresses
- Claude Montana Black Wrap Dress/Optional Coat With Velvet AccentsBy Claude Montana Paris, Claude MontanaLocated in New York, NYClaude Montana black wrap dress with an optional choice to wear as a coat iss accented with velvet as ties and finished with gold hardware caps on ...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Nude Ethic Trompe l'oeil Vanessa Guide DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Nude Body Ethic Trompe l'oeil Venus Stiped Mesh Maxi Dress Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion ...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Jean's Floral Red Black Vampire Vintage 90s Maxi Long DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRFloral maxi dress by Jean Paul Gaultier! Floral print with Gaultier Jean`s writings on it, a Gaultier staple, probably from the 1998 collection! Gaultier Jean`s tab with skulls on th...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
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?