Halston Couture Sequin Pearl Beaded Sunset Colors Dress Documented, 1980s
View Similar Items
Halston Couture Sequin Pearl Beaded Sunset Colors Dress Documented, 1980s
About the Item
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.
- Prada Orange Black Sequin Flapper Dress S/S 2011 Beijing Limited EditionBy Miuccia Prada, PradaLocated in Boca Raton, FLTypically, Prada’s signature is artistic yet refined. The 2011 Prada Spring collection, described by the inimitable Miuccia Prada as “minimal baroque” drew on a number of sources of inspiration, including 17th century artwork, flapper dresses, and Jazz age icon and actress Josephine Baker. The result was a spectacular collection that ranged from spaghetti strapped dresses to cotton suits featuring bold stripes, bright colors, and eclectic prints in a youthful, stylish celebration of spring. The collection was so successful that Prada reissued...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1930s Black and Blue Batik Floral Print Strappy Sleeveless Maxi Dress / GownLocated in Boca Raton, FLA stunning 1930s taffeta maxi dress. I love the blue batik floral print against the black background. The multiple thin straps from the shoulders and down to the mid back are sexy a...Category
1930s Unknown Day Dresses
- Lanvin Alber Elbaz Spring 2015 One Shoulder Chevron Striped Jersey DressLocated in Boca Raton, FLFrom the Spring 2015 collection, with the 125th anniversary label. Done in a viscose & elastane blend, which allows for a beautiful drape and some stretch. The top portion is a doub...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Rodarte Tie Dye Beaded Embroidered Silk Gown F/W 2013 RunwayBy RodarteLocated in Boca Raton, FLCreating beautiful clothes that channel a certain fantastic dreaminess has long been Rodarte’s calling card. Rodarte’s designs are held in permanent collections at world-class museums including The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Founded by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy in 2005, Rodarte has been worn by many celebrities and icons including the likes of Tilda Swinton, Rihanna, and Rooney Mara. The sisters notably designed several costumes for the Oscar-winning film Black Swan, and have won many prestigious awards including the Swiss Textiles Award, a CFDA, and a Domani Fashion Award. True to their typical whimsical fashion, the Mulleavy sisters imbued their 2013 Fall/Winter collection with a late 80s nostalgia. Inspired by their hometown of Santa Cruz, California, the collection has a distinct West coast vibe...Category
2010s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- A 1960s Nan Duskin Couture Metallic Brocade Empire Waist DressBy Nan DuskinLocated in Boca Raton, FLA show stopping dress from Nan Duskin. Fashioned from a metallic accented brocade in hues of magenta, blush, tangerine and champagne. Bullion trim sur...Category
1960s Empire Waist Dresses
- Vintage 1920s Black White Silk Dot Magenta Pom Pom Draped DressLocated in Boca Raton, FLThe cultural changes ushered in by the Roaring Twenties were reflected in the fashions of the time, which favored youthful and slender silhouettes free from restrictive shaping unde...Category
1920s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Abayah as a Dress, manner of PoiretLocated in Sharon, CTAs a dress in the manner of Poiret. Silk with gold thread. Slit tapestry technique. Tablet Weaving.Category
Early 20th Century Syrian Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace Knit Colorblock DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Waterford, MIColorblock knit long sleeve dress. Rear zipper. Stretchy knit. Made in Italy. *Condition: excellent vintage condition. No visible flaws. Measurements Taken Laying Flat (inches)— S...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Cushnie Et Ochs Tangerine Orange Stretch Satin Jersey Mesh Paneled Gown SLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Ditch those traditional mundane dresses and go for a glam, statement-making style with this Cushnie Et Ochs gown. Made from fine quality materials, the gown has mesh panels on the si...Category
2010s American Evening Gowns
- Azzaro strapless baby pink ruffle frill crystal button sweetheart mini dressBy Loris Azzaro ParisLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Azzaro baby pink wool strapless mini dress with ruffled frill trim Crystal button detail Sweetheart cross over style neckline Inner boning from the waist up Concea...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Mini Dress
- 1960s Philippe Venet Silk Printed DressBy Philippe VenetLocated in Paris, FRPhilippe Venet orange & beige silk printed, featuring a round neck, long sleeves, button cuffs, a rear zip fastening and a separated belt (127 cm x 2 cm). In excellent vintage condi...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- PRADA orange silk ELEPHANT PRINT Sleeveless Cocktail Dress 44By PradaLocated in Zürich, CHPrada SS'17 elephants tent dress in orange, purple, pink, and white silk (100%). With pleats from the right shoulder, drawstring around the hemline and zipper slits on the sides that...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail 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?