1970's Halston Asymmentrical Cut Silk Dress
View Similar Items
1970's Halston Asymmentrical Cut Silk Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 47 in (119.38 cm)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 25 in (63.5 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Altered (not by designer).
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2282989302
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.
- 1980s Chanel Blush Day DressBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioClassic style Chanel day dress from the 1980's. The off center button placket is complimented with two front patch pockets. The sleeves fall to the elbow and the cuffs are finished w...Category
1980s French Casual Dresses
- 1970's Demi Couture Geoffrey Beene Beige Raw Silk Day DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970's beige raw silk cap sleeve demi couture Geoffrey Beene day dress. Stunning in its simplicity with a unique wave shaped welt at the neckline and mirrored ever so slightly at the...Category
1970s American Sheath Dresses
- 1990s Gianni Versace Couture Multi Colour Silk Shirt DressBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Toronto, Ontario1990s Gianni Versace Couture silk shirt dress. Iconic Gianni Versace with it's mix of colours, prints and patterns. Front features a mix of purple, pink, black, white and yellow with...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990s Gianfranco Ferre White, Black and Gold Asymmetric Silk Printed DressBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Toronto, OntarioOver the top 1990s Gianfranco Ferre shirt dress. White silk with an all over print featuring black, red and gold lipsticks, watches, pens, lighters and pea...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1980s Valentino Silk Floral Shirt Dress with Blue TrimBy ValentinoLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Valentino summer shirt dress. White with all over red, blue, green and yellow flowers with black stems and leaves. Thick blue trim. Notched collar with open v neck, short rolle...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- 1960s Cream Lace Tea Length DressBy Christian DiorLocated in Toronto, Ontario1960's tea length cream lace dress attributed to Dior, label missing however provenance is from a well known Dior client in Canada. Round neckline, long sl...Category
1960s French Informal Dresses
- Versace Spring 1996 dressBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeautiful Gianni Versace Couture 60s inspired cream dress from Spring Summer 1996 collection. The dress is knee length, with thin adjustable belts including classic Versace...Category
1990s Day Dresses
- Chanel Boutique Vintage Oversize Maxi Dress Shirt Cover Up 92P 1992By Chanel, Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Merced, CAChanel rare vintage oversize maxi dress shirt adorned with full length Chanel CC interlocking buttons and abstract print throughout. This is from Chanel Spring 1992 runway collection...Category
19th Century French Maxi Dresses
- Blumarine black sik dressBy BlumarineLocated in Rubiera, REBlumarine - Anna Molinari Cocktail black chiffon multi-layered silk dress with thin straps. Drapery on the bust in pink silk which continues over th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- PRADA dress "Beauty Mask"By PradaLocated in Rubiera, REPRADA Spring/Summer 2014 collection Dress with printed motif from the work "BEAUTY MASK" by the French artist Jeanne Detallante Similar dress from the same collection exhibited at th...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
$1,077 Sale Price30% Off - Jean Paul Gaultier Tibet Tibetan 1997 Buddha Eyes Egypt Tattoo Optical DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Tibet Tibetan 1997 Buddha Eyes Stretch Egypt Tattoo Optical Illusion Maori Mesh Vintage T-shirt Top Tee Maxi Dress JEAN PAUL GAULTIER vintage 1997 dress...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier 1997 Fashion & Couture 90s Vintage Japanese Tattoo Maxi DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG 1997 Fashion & Couture Jean's 90s Vintage Japanese Tattoo Sheer Mesh Haut Robe Dress ICONIC Vintage piece from from ga...Category
1990s French Mini 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?