1972 Halston Couture Watercolor Print Silk Backless Draped Halter Mini Dress
View Similar Items
1972 Halston Couture Watercolor Print Silk Backless Draped Halter Mini Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 34 in (86.36 cm)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Style:Mini (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3096558181
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.
- Vintage 1930's Cartwright Ivory Striped Silk Rayon Cut-Out Maxi Dress & JacketLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThe vibrant rainbow-stripe used on this ivory silk rayon 1930's "Cartwright" designer dress ensemble has a whimsical allure that I find irresistible. The sleeveless bodice has a flir...Category
1930s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Anne Verdi Champagne Sequin Lace & Tulle Bustle Back Bridal DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CAEthereal 1950's Anne Verdi designer champagne lace hourglass cocktail dress from the Old Hollywood era of glamour! The fabric itself is a masterpiece; high-...Category
1950s American Wedding Dresses
- Antique 1910's Julius Garfinckel Couture Beige Embroidered Net-Lace Dress GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CAUnique mixed-lace dresses from the early 20th century are perennial favorites and this Julius Garfinckel and Co. garment is a showstopper. Garfinckel...Category
1910s American Tea Gowns
- Vintage 1950's Jeanne Lafaurie Couture Watercolor Floral Silk Strapless GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CABreathtaking Jeanne Lafaurie Couture watercolor garden two-piece gown ensemble dating back to the mid 1950's era of fashion. Jeanne Lafaurie was a Pari...Category
1950s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Galanos Couture Nude Butterfly Print Sheer Silk Pleated DressBy James Galanos, GalanosLocated in Beverly Hills, CABreathtaking Galanos couture large-scale butterfly print nude silk chiffon dress set dating back to his 1969 collection. Dedication to excellence in craftsmanship and design was the ...Category
1960s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1920's Martha Weathered Couture Pastel Silk Rosettes Filet Lace DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA breathtaking museum quality bridal dance dress dating back to the mid-1920's. Two layers are cleverly designed to complement each other; a fine filet-lace outer layer with a foliate design over an ecru silk-crepe slip layer embroidered with pastel silk-ribbon rosettes. The rosettes are positioned under the filet-lace design so that they appear to be the blooms of the foliate in the lace! The overall effect is quite spectacular, and the dress has survived beautifully over the years. A small designer label in the interior reading "Weathered Misses Shop Chicago", which was the one shop in Chicago able to import French couture. The original owner of the garment said the shop was able to do this by selecting the couture designs overseas. After making their selections, the patterns and materials would be shipped over for fabrication in their own workrooms, allowed them to sidestep the hefty import tax on already completed couture models. The design and construction are identity to Callot Soeurs aesthetic who was known for working with wealth American clients. A rare piece of ethereal fashion history that will become a favorite in your collection. Measurements Bust: 32-33 inches Waist: 28 inches Hips: 40 inches Total Length: 44 inches This Callot Soeurs attributed dress from Martha Weathered...Category
1920s French Wedding Dresses
- Chanel champagne sequins dress F/W 2001 FR 40By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL dress F/W 2001 collection A-line dress in beige melange tweed and champagne sequins; on the front martingale belt with logo buttons; short sleeve; zip on the back. Size Fr 40...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1930s Vintage Dress Cotton Voile Crochet Lace Pink Tone on Tone StripesLocated in Portland, ORThis pretty vintage dress is made in a semi sheer pink cotton voile with tone on tone stripes and beautiful crochet lace. The dress snaps closed in several places and the pretty bod...Category
1930s American Day Dresses
- Antique Edwardian 1910s Vintage Ivory Net Tulle Dress W Soutache Embroidery TrimLocated in Portland, ORThis is an incredible vintage dress from the 1910's!! The soutache detail is so well done and we especially love the pretty three layers of soft netting . The base layer is solid wit...Category
Early 20th Century American Day Dresses
- Josefa Vintage Cream Cotton Long Dress Embroidered Flowers Butterflies & BirdsBy JosefaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a cream heavy weight cotton dress with hand embroidered flowers and birds in shades of pink, purple, blue, lime green, tan. This unlabeled Josefa dress...Category
1970s Mexican Day Dresses
- Moschino Cream Sand Lace Short Sleeve Mock T Neck Vintage Dress US Size 6By MoschinoLocated in Portland, ORThis is a lovely 1990's vintage Moschino Cheap and Chic floral lace dress that is lined in the body, with sheer cap sleeves. The edges are scalloped, and it closes with a zipper up t...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Natural Linen Vintage Handwoven Folk Dress W Fringe & Pink Applique TrimLocated in Portland, ORThis one of a kind vintage dress came from an estate of collectible higher end ethnic folk clothing from Mexico, Central America and Sout...Category
1960s Unknown Day 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?