Halston 1970s Pistachio Green Ultra Suede Short Sleeve Vintage 70s Shirt Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium / Large (US)Waist: 38 in (96.52 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 43.5 in (110.49 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU66215538912
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1950s Kelly Green Demi Couture Silk Chiffon Vintage Short Sleeve 50s DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1950s kelly green Demi couture silk chiffon short sleeve cocktail dress ! Features an intricate tailored pleated bodice with a straight skirt. Hidden metal zipper down the back ...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Fredericks of Hollywood Kelly Green Vintage Jersey 70s Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1970s FREDERICK’S OF HOLLYWOOD kelly green jersey maxi dress ! Features the perfect green color that can be worn all year. Knotted applique at center chest. Hidden zipper up the...Category
1970s American Evening Gowns
- Amazing Vintage Victorian Inspired 1970s Does 1800s Steampunk Green Trained GownLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage Victorian inspired 70s does 1800s green steampunk trained dress! Features a beautiful color of green with blue and brown flowers throughout. Chic puff sleeves and a d...Category
1970s Evening Gowns
- House of Lord's 1960s Blue Yellow Green Chic Pastel Vintage 60s Silk Shift DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s HOUSE OF LORD'S pastel blue, yellow and green floral print silk shift dress! Features a flattering Jackie O collar, with a fitted bodice and a shift skirt. Full metal zipp...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Lime Green Fully Sequined 3/4 Sleeves Vintage 60s Wool DressBy Gene Shelley International BoutiqueLocated in San Diego, CAChic early 60s vintage lime green fully sequined 3/4 sleeves wool dress ! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins throughout the entire dress. Fully lined in rayon with full metal zi...Category
1960s Hong Kong Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Lee Alexander Couture Size Large Silk Taffeta Off Shoulder Vintage DressLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous LEE ALEXANDER 90s silk taffeta off the shoulder neon green cocktail dress ! Features wonderful prints of flowers and paisley in blue, pink, and orange throughout. Hidden zip...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- Rare 1980's Thierry Mugler "Show those Legs" Halter Hi Low Evening DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Los Angeles, CACirca 1980's Thierry Mugler rare kelly green shantung silk form fitting halter dress. Edgy hi fashion silhouette with strong lean lines; stylish hi...Category
1980s French Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Moroccan Caftan Emerald Green Maxi Dress, circa 1970 Size MLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant vintage Moroccan cotton green caftan embroidered with white threads design. The kaftan features a traditional neckline, with side slits and gent...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
- Cashmere Brown and Turquoise Caftan 1980s RobeLocated in North Hollywood, CAHandmade Moorish cashmere brown and turquoise long maxi dress caftan from North Africa, Morocco. Vintage 1980s caftan robe. Caftan with running down the center round braided buttons ...Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Caftans
- Tiffeau & Busch LTD. 1966 Chartreuse & Black Silk Organza & Twill Maxi DressBy Jacques Tiffeau & BuschLocated in West Palm Beach, FLTiffeau & Busch LTD. New York, 1966 chartreuse yellow & black hand print silk organza & silk twill maxi dress. Jacques Tiffeau was known for his elegant designs crafted from start to finish by a designer who actually knew the process & could preform the art all by himself, a rare feat in these fast fashion times, when some designers don't even know how to sew. Tiffeau had vision and lived in the time when he was able to express his talent in new and meaningful ways, encouraging 1960s woman...Category
1960s American Maxi Dresses
- Alexander McQueen Bustier Silk Poision Green Corset Evening Mini Midi DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in PARIS, FRAlexander McQueen silk dress. You can variate the straps, they can be placed on your shoulder, or let your shoulder free. 100% silk. VER...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
- Stephen Burrows Lime Green Layered Chiffon & Jersey GownBy Stephen BurrowsLocated in Greenport, NYGorgeous sleeveless full length empire maxi dress by world renowned designer, Stephen Burrows. Stephen Burrows is an American fashion designer...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Empire Waist 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?