Halston Vintage 1970s Ultrasuede Coral Dress
View Similar Items
Halston Vintage 1970s Ultrasuede Coral Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:No noticeable stains, tears or holes. Looks like the zip and hook and eyes have been added or changed but not seen when belted.
- Seller Location:Doncaster, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU46839042792
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.
- Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Nude Ethic Trompe l'oeil Vanessa Guide DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Nude Body Ethic Trompe l'oeil Venus Stiped Mesh Maxi Dress Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion ...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Moroccan Vintage Kaftan Fuchsia Velvet Bohemian Caftan 1970Located in North Hollywood, CAGorgeous vintage designer Moroccan kaftan in fuchsia velvet. This chic Bohemian maxi dress caftan is one of a kind designer evening Moroccan Middle Eastern gown. Vintage exotic 1970s pink maxi dress kaftan handmade in North Africa, Morocco. Unisex will fit Medium to Large Dress measurement flat: Shoulder 14" Sleeve 21" Chest 18" Hip 21" Total length 57". Handcrafted by Moroccan artist fashion designer, this is a one of a kind caftan, inspired by the tales of princess of the Arabian Nights. The Kaftan is a long and wide tunic, collarless, long-sleeved, worn by man and women in Africa and the Middle East. The Moroccan kaftans inspired European and global designers as Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and many more who made the Moorish caftans...Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
$760 Sale Price20% Off - Moroccan Caftan Pink Color with Silver Trim, Vintage Kaftan circa 1970Located in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan hot pink color embroidered with silver metallic threads, circa 1970s. This long maxi poly jersey dress kaftan is embroidered and embellished with traditional...Category
1970s Moroccan Maxi Dresses
$608 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Moroccan Caftan Hot Pink with Gold, 1970'sLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant vintage Moroccan caftan hot pink color embroidered with gold, circa 1970s. This long maxi poly jersey dress kaftan is embroidered and e...Category
1970s Moroccan Kaftans
$396 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Moroccan Kaftan Hot Pink Color with Silver Trim caftan 1970Located in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan hot pink color embroidered with silver, circa 1970s. This long maxi poly jersey dress kaftan is embroidered and embellished with traditional designs in silve...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
$608 Sale Price20% Off - 1950S Cotton Pastel Pink Watercolor Floral Circle Skirt DressLocated in New York, NY1950S Cotton Pastel Pink Watercolor Floral Circle Skirt DressCategory
1950s American 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?