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 Roy Halston Frowick, Halston
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 ...
Halston Rare Midnight Blue with Ivory Floral Silk Chiffon Scarf
By Halston
Located in New York, NY
Halston's rare midnight-blue accented with ivory floral silk chiffon scarf measures 19 1/2 inches by 19 1/2 inches. Borders are hand-rolled. Made in Japan.
1970’s Halston Silver Crochet Skull Cap with Sequins
By Halston
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Roy Halston Frowick began his career as a hat designer. He was best known for his pillbox style creations before expanding into women's wear and revolutionizing the way his jet set clients dressed for daytime to disco nights. This rainbow sequin and silver knit crochet hat...
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...
Auro White Maroon Soft Linen Handwoven Artisanal Scarf
By Studio Variously
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Custom design by Studio Variously, Auro White is a light weight soft linen scarf. It is finely handwoven by master artisans in Nepal. A sustainable design brand based out of Michigan, Studio Variously exclusively collaborates with artisan communities to restore & revive ancient techniques by exploring custom modern designs in textile based products. A beautiful translucent appeal is crated by the natural texture of linen which is beautifully handwoven in unique pattern to make the undyed ( white portion ) stand out. Classic in appeal , this piece is a timeless accessory. The dyes used are 100% certified Eco Friendly Swiss dyes making this piece completely biodegradable in nature. Soft in hand feel this light weight translucent scarf is easy to blend in with most outfits and perfect gift or personal wear accessory for indoor, outdoors or travel. Our linen scarves...
1960s Oleg Cassini Navy Blue + White Mod Linen + Silk Nautical Vintage 60s Hat
By Oleg Cassini
Located in San Diego, CA
Beyond chic 1960s OLEG CASSINI navy blue and white linen and silk blend nautical hat! The white section features a linen and silk blend that retains its' shape nicely. Navy blue faux...
Rihanna’s Black and White 1980s Face Picasso Print Faux Fur Vintage 80s Hat
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1980s vintage faux fur black and white face print hat in the same fabric as the jacket coat that Rihanna wore. I have the matching jacket ( ...
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...
$300
Size: none; small, 21" or 6 3/4 US
Black Tulle Cocktail Turban Hat with Chandelier Bead Floral Trim - S, 1960s
By Deborah
Located in Tucson, AZ
Not for the faint of heart, this frothy cocktail hat will add inches to your height and ensure you leave a memorable impression. Dangling faceted beads around the bottom edge add sub...
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...
HALSTON Blue Green White Polka Dot Floral Roses Silk Scarf
By Halston
Located in San Francisco, CA
HALSTON scarf in a blue, green, and white silk featuring a blue roses pattern on polka dot background, and picture frame border. Made in Korea.Excellent ...
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...
Halston Orange H400 47mis104 Sunglasses
By Halston
Located in Dix hills, NY
Style Code: H400 Measurements: Length: 5.5" Width: 0.2" Height: 1.8" Signs of Wear: Light scratches on the lenses and frame. Temple pieces are stret...
1970s Halston Beaded Glitter Black Sheer Dot Fringed Vintage 70s Poncho Shawl
By Halston, Roy Halston Frowick
Located in San Diego, CA
Collectible mid 70s HALSTON black sheer mesh beaded and sequin dot fringe large disco poncho cape shawl ! I can only imagine this rare beauty on the dance floor at Studio 54. Sheer b...
Sold
Size: no size tag; fits head 21.5in
Rare Halston Red Sequins Hat Disco Skull Cap Festive Party Wear 1970s Sz S
By Halston
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Sparkle through the holidays with this brilliant sequin'd hat or skull cap, made by Halston most likely in the early 1970s. Made from a wide loop crochet and covered in red sequins,...
HALSTON c.1970's Burgundy Suede Leather Art Deco Avant Garde Tied Obi Waist Belt
By Halston, Roy Halston Frowick
Located in Thiensville, WI
HALSTON c.1970's Burgundy Suede Leather Art Deco Avant Garde Tied Obi Waist Belt Circa: 1970’s Brand/Manufacturer: Halston Designer: Roy Halston Frowick Style: Obi belt Color(s): S...
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: Unmarked; fits like S/M
70s Halston Sequins Skull Cap Hat White Silver Metallic Adjustable Saks Sz S/M
By Halston
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Here's an incredible sequins hat from Halston circa 1971. Made from white sequins and a silver metallic thread knit, this skull cap features two elasticized laces, which enable one ...
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 ...