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.
1960s Halston Ivory White Brown Mongolian Lamb Fur Vintage 60s Hat and Muff Rare
By Roy Halston Frowick, Halston
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic and super rare early 60s HALSTON Mongolian lamb fur hat and matching muff ! Jackie O Kennedy wore a Halston hat and muff to the 1961 presidential inau...
Halston Coco Brown Mongolian Lamb Hat
By Halston
Located in New York, NY
This Very rare Vintage Halston Mongolian lamb in coco-brown is so fun to wear and at the same time will keep you warm during those cold months ahe...
1970s Halston Ultra Suede Tan Brown Vintage 70s Fedora Hat
By Halston, Roy Halston Frowick
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1970s HALSTON ultra suede tan fedora hat ! Features the soft versatile ultra suede Halston was known for. Can easily be washed in the washing ...
Rare Halston Ivory Wool Felt Hat with Silk Ribbon Accents
By Halston
Located in New York, NY
This wonderful rare Halston's ivory wool felt hat is accented with a wide 3" silk ribbon. The interior circumference measures 22", exterior circumference measures 42". Height measur...
1990s AGNES B. Fedora Black Leather Hat
By AGNES B.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Agnes B Fedora Black Leather Hat . Lambskin Leather Fedora Hat. Vintage 1990s Black Leather Traditional 1920s / 30s New York Style Fedora Hat Hand crafted A leather fedora hat with a...
$76Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage PAUL STUART Beige Straw Fedora Hat
By Paul Stuart
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage PAUL STUART hat comes in a beige straw material featuring a fedora style and a beige ribbon trim. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Fabric tag removed. Marked: Size tag rem...
$295
Size: none; comparable to size 21 or M
Bollman Co. Ivory Boho Greenwich Floppy Hat with Ostrich Feather Band – M, 1970s
By Bollman Hat Company
Located in Tucson, AZ
Started in 1868, the Bollman Hat Company is America's oldest hat maker and still provides luxury millinery products for brands like Helen Kaminski. Made...
1960s Christian Dior Black Felt Derby Hat
By Christian Dior
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Perfect Winter Hat Has Arrived! Circa 1960s, this Dior derby style hat features a porkpie brim. The crown of the hat and the outer trim of the brim are...
Gucci White GG Knitted Bucket Hat
By Gucci
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Sun's out and so are you! This Gucci knitted bucket hat is patterned with the brand's signature GG logo. Simple and understated but you still have that designer touch with the monogram! This cool and trendy bucket hat will protect you from the sun and bad outfits. This is a rib-knitted version of a British heritage style traditionally worn by fisherman in the early 20th century. Get an updated version of a Gucci classic! It’s crafted in Italy from cotton subtly patterned with an openwork GG monogram, then finished with a small gold logo plaque. The soft frame is ultra-cozy and comfortable to wear all day. Take this to the beach on your next vacation and you will be effortlessly fashionable! Try pairing with a Christian Dior swimsuit, a Missoni coverup, and some Chanel flip flops...
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Black Leather Flight Cap
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Straight from the Tom Ford archives! Circa 2003 from YSL's S/S collection, this flight cap is crafted from a shiny smooth black patient leather and is lined...
Lanvin by Castillo for Saks 5th Ave Beige Felted Fuzzy Turban Hat, 1960s
By Jeanne Lanvin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This lovely vintage turban hat is a Saks 5th Ave licensed reproduction of a Jeanne Lanvin design by Castillo. It is made of a soft and furry wool fe...
Christian Dior - Diorissimo Resort 2005 Logo Flowers Bucket Hat
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Iba, PH
Diorissimo Resort 2005 Logo Flowers Bucket Hat. Pink and white bucket hat adorned with a logo flowers Diorissimo print from the resort 2005 collection by...
$595Sale Price|25% Off
Dramatic Bes Ben Pinwheel Hat with Shaved Feathers. 1950's.
Located in University City, MO
Incredibly rare Bes Ben pinwheel hat. A spiral of shaved black feathers radiate from a central off-white silk camellia with subtle hints of pink and green underneath. There are more feathers at the front and sides than at the back. It is designed to be worn on the top of the head so can fit any size. It secures with with two small combs plus has a cute elastic chin strap that can be worn or tucked up inside the hat if preferred. 13.5 inches wide. 13 inches back to front. Designed by Benjamin B. Greenfield for his legendary company Bes Ben. Known as Chicago's "Mad-Hatter" Greenfield designed some of the wittiest, wildest, most surreal hats known to millinery. Bes Ben hats...
Vintage 1950's Velvet S shaped Fascinator 1950's Percher Hat Brown velvet hat
Located in Nashville, TN
This darling 1950's bitter chocolate brown velvet hat, in a curved S shape is a rare piece to behold. The sculptural shape, boasts a rounded and curved crown edged internally with wi...
CHRISTINE Vintage 1950's Black Dyed Goose Feather and Sheared Beaver Hat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
CHRISTINE Vintage 1950's Black Dyed Goose Feather and Sheared Beaver Hat. Iconic 1950s Look that trancences contemporary fashion. In excellent vintage cond...
$225
Size: none; S-M, 21.5" or 6 7/8 US
Plush Black Mink Fur Pillbox Beret Hat w Brocade Lining - S-M, 1960s
Located in Tucson, AZ
Looking glamorous and staying warm don't have to be mutually exclusive. Take a page from "Dr. Zhivago" and try a fur hat: you'll feel instantly chic and soften your features at the s...
Halston Skull Cap Red Sequins Hat Beanie 70s Rare Studio 54 Disco Era OS Vintage
By Halston
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Get your disco groove on with this preowned, vintage Halston skull cap or beanie hat, likely made in the mid 1970s. Made from a red stretchy crochet...
Vintage Halston Silver Sequins Hat Disco Skull Cap Festive Party Wear 1970s OS
By Halston
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Get your disco groove on with this preowned, vintage Halston sequins skull cap hat or beanie, likely made in the 70s. Made from a stretchy knit...
1970s Halston Black Sequin Lurex Knit Vintage 70s Disco Beanie Skull Hat
By Halston, Roy Halston Frowick
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic and classic 1970s HALSTON black metallic lurex knit sequined beanie skull hat! Features hundreds of hand-sewn sequins on a soft knit lurex that stretches to fit. Jazz up any out...
Sold
Size: no size tag; fits like size 7
70s Halston Black Wool Brimmed Hat with Feathers Size 7 Vintage
By Halston
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Here's a pretty wool felt hat with feather brim, made by Halston in the early 70s. In excellent preowned condition with minimal signs of prior wear. No size tag, but it measures ap...
Chic 1970s Halston Navy Blue Wool Gold Buckle Vintage 70s Hat
By Halston
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1970s HALSTON navy blue wool hat! Soft navy blue wool with a gold buckle on the side. The perfect stylish addition to any outfit. In great condition. Made in USA Will fit an arr...
Halston Luxurious Black Silk Velvet Fox Fur Cape & Fox Fur Hat Ensemble
By Halston
Located in Gresham, OR
These two Halston original pieces from different eras of Halston`s career make a striking ensemble: a 1970s double-sided silk velvet stole trimmed in plush fox fur is luxurious and ...
Ivory Halston Doeskin Fedora Hat, 1970s
By Halston
Located in Tucson, AZ
Crushable, packable and stylable in multiple ways, this fedora is the saucy gal's alternative to the boho floppy hat. Its light color, super luxe hand and jet black grosgrain band ke...
Halston Vintage Wool Pillbox Hat with Beaded Stick Pin, 1960s
By Halston
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Here's an early pillbox hat from Halston, who started off making his own hats in the 1950s, before being known for his clothing in the 1970s. Made from a vanilla wool, this hat feat...
1970's HALSTON Gold Sequined Skull Cap Hat
By Halston
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Gold knit skull hat with sequins and rolled brim designed by Halston dating the 1970's. Fits a small or medium head. Approximate circumference is 20.5" unstretched. Made in the U.S. ...
1970s Halston Bamboo Sun Hat
By Halston
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Often regarded for his designs utilizing ultrasuede, Roy Halston is considered to be one of the quintessential American designers. Halston’s designs were made to be glamorous, withou...
Halston Beige Ultra Faux Suede Hat, circa 1970s
By Halston
Located in University City, MO
Halston beige ultra faux suede hat c 1970s The soft cloth feather suede retro hat makes a chic timeless accessory Labeled: Halston No size indicated Refer...
Luxurious 1960s Scalloped-Hem Black Fox Stole w/ Coordinating Halston Fox Hat
By Halston
Located in Gresham, OR
A luxurious 2-piece lot: A plush and lush 1960s black, scalloped-hem, fox fur stole with a coordinating black fox fur Halston hat. Fantastic combination!