1971 Couture Halston Jersey Gown & Coat
View Similar Items
1971 Couture Halston Jersey Gown & Coat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. There is fading across the top of the shoulders - it would be possible to recut this slightly to eliminate this but its been left entirely original. One tiny stitch repair on one sleeve of the coat.
- Seller Location:Rockwood, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: Item# DD15981stDibs: AU1311121281847
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.
- Judith Ann Creations Purple & Blue Beaded Sequin 2pc Dress with Bird DesignBy Judith Ann CreationsLocated in Portland, ORThis is a stunning beaded and sequin 2 piece dress from Judith Ann Creations. The outfit includes a gorgeous silk lined long sleeve blouse with a beautiful bird motif. and a silk lin...Category
1980s Indian Evening Dresses
- SS/2017 VERSACE SILK BLUE PURPLE and GREEN RHINESTONE EMBELLISHED SKIRT Suit 38By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Spring/Summer 2017 Silk Tee and Skirt Rhinestone embellished Back zipper on the tee Mesh lined skirt. Side zipper. Size 38 - US 2/4 Tee: armpit to armpit 17 1/2"...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Skirt Suits
$3,420 Sale Price38% Off - Torso Creations Ultra-Violet 2-Piece Velvet Devore Fringed Skirt & Top EnsembleBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations Ultra-Violet 2-Piece Velvet Devore Fringed Skirt & Top Ensemble: Hi-Low cut hem skirt in silk crepe with a fringed waistband. Top is remastered from a silk velvet fr...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1970s Yves Saint Laurent Rich Purple Taffeta Ruffle Skirt SetBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in London, GBWell documented, this is an absolutely classic and desirable piece of Yves Saint Laurent evening wear dating from 1978-1983. The designer revisited this look several times during the 70s and 80s and we feel that this is quite possibly an early 80s piece. In a beautiful deep purple hue of silk taffeta, this set has some lavish design details and very generous amounts of fabric in the ruffle collar and deep cuffs. The floor length skirt is full and has an unusual asymmetric ruffle flounce so that no length is equal, juxtaposing the formal blouse element. These ensembles always look great tucked in or accompanied by an original YSL rope...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- An French Skirt Suit in Polkadot Silk Crepe By F. Dubois Circa 1965Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1960/1970 France Elegant skirt suit in navy blue printed silk crepe with white polka dots signed by Y. Dubois in Nice from the 1960s. Two-piece summer set, with long-sleeved b...Category
1960s French Day Dresses
- Richard Quinn Runway Duchess Satin & Silk Coat Dress EnsembleBy Richard QuinnLocated in Los Angeles, CAStunning purple bellflower coat with matching dress evening ensemble by Richard Quinn. Fashioned of duchess satin and silk illustrated in a painterly monet fabric. Coat is oversiz...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dress and Coat Ensembles
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?