1970's HALSTON black bias silk cut dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 46 in (116.84 cm)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU813469631
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.
- 1990's CERRUTI 1881 black shirred cotton dressBy Cerruti 1881Located in San Fransisco, CABlack shirred cotton dress with thin straps designed for Cerruti 1881 dating to the 1990's. French size 38. Approximate measurements (unstretched): bust 26", waist 22", full hips and...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1970's RADLEY black gauze maxi dress with pink stitchingBy RadleyLocated in San Fransisco, CASoft-black, lightweight, cotton gauze maxi dress with pink stitching made by Radley dating to the 1970's. UK size 12. Dress was photographed on a size 2 mannequin and was not clipped...Category
1970s British Maxi Dresses
- 1970's BILL GIBB purple jersey gown with metallic trimBy Bill GibbLocated in San Fransisco, CAPurple viscose jersey gown with metallic silver toned trim and extra high thigh slit from Bill Gibb dating to the 1970's. Blouson bodice. Halter neckline with decorative button at ba...Category
1970s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- CEIL CHAPMAN beaded gownLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, gorgeous black bugle beaded gown from Ceil Chapman. Ca. 1960. Zips up back. US size 2/4. Very good condition. Some light fraying at back side o...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1985 KENZO fine gauge cotton jersey runway dress with pocketBy Kenzo Takada, Kenzo ParisLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, fine-gauge, cotton jersey dress with cowl neckline and angled patch pocket at front designed by Kenzo Takada dating to 1985 as seen on the Kenzo spring runway. Dress is la...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- 1990's CHEAP AND CHIC by MOSCHINO black bustier minidressBy Moschino, Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black bustier mini dress from MOSCHINO CHEAP & CHIC dating to the 1990's. Narrow adjustable straps and bow at waistline. Labeled an Italian 42 however this dress best Fits an Ita...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10By Badgley MischkaLocated in New York, NYBadgley Mischka glamorous black silk lace evening gown, size US 10. Gown features hand beaded and embroidered lace with glass jet beading, and neckline with glass jet beads along cu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
- Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s.By Calvin KleinLocated in New York, NYCalvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress, c. 1990s. Calvin Klein Black Lace Cocktail Dress featuring low cut V-ncekline and shoulder pads. Beautiful Lace hem extends past chiffon linin...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Gown with Open Back, 1990.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Gown with Open Back, 1990. Full length woven dress with waistband. Features slit at center front and open ...Category
1990s French Evening 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?