Halston Brown Suede & Metallic Gold Leather Handbag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU1401252471641
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Emanual Ungaro Metallic Gold Shoulder BagBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in New York, NYThis wonderful Emanual Ungaro metallic lambskin gold shoulder bag has detailed hand-stitched detailing in a warm brick-brown to accent the metallic g...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Gucci Monogram Sectional Shoulder Bag with Huge "GG" HardwareBy GucciLocated in New York, NYThis famously popular "Limited Edition" Gucci with Huge "GG" Hardware flying off the shelves in the '80s, has a two sectional interior along with a large zippered compartment within ...Category
1980s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Bottega Veneta Fuchsia Large Woven Lambskin Shoulder BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in New York, NYBottega Veneta classic woven lambskin leather in fuchsia measures 13" in length, 12" in height, 3 1/2" in depth. Shoulder strap stands at 20" in height. Bag has a zippered top accented with gold hardware along with thier classic lambskin...Category
1980s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Bottega Veneta Metallic Gold Lambskin Cross-body Evening Shoulder BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in New York, NYBottega Veneta wonderfully elegant metallic gold lambskin evening cross-body evening bag has two compartment underneath the front flap. The strap measures 27" in total height...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Bottega Veneta Huge Signature Woven Lambskin Weekender Shoulder BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in New York, NYBottega Veneta huge coco-brown signature woven lambskin weekender shoulder bag measures 18" in length, 13" in height, with a depth of 4". The top of the bag has a zippered closing me...Category
1980s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Carlos Falchi '80s large hobo shoulder bagBy Carlos FalchiLocated in New York, NYThis '80s Carlos Falchi hobo bag is great for everyday use. Made of butter-soft leather. And you can tuck the straps inside the bag and use it as a clutch. The signature Carlos Falch...Category
1980s Italian Hobo Bags
- 1930's Hand Woven Fish Basket Purse Bucket BagLocated in New York, NY1930's hand woven circular fish basket purse with double drop handles to carry in hand or under arm. The bag can also be used to enhance home decor and as a catch all. Beautiful piece.Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Shoulder Bags
- 2004 brown Lambskin leather pleated rings hobo shoulder bagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLNew condition with faint scratches to hardware. Includes box, dust bag and authenticity card. Extremely rare bag, super soft buttery leather. Large CC silver hardwareCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Lavender Shoulder BagLocated in New York, NYLength: 8.75” inches Height: 5.25” inches Material: leather Condition: goodCategory
1990s Shoulder Bags
- Vintage 2001 Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse Monogram Graffiti PochetteBy Louis VuittonLocated in Malibu, CAThis dreamy LOUIS VUITTON limited edition leather pochette bag is as stunning as they come. A coveted collectors piece. From the Steven Sprouse collaboration this bag is to die for! ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
- Dolce and Gabanna Devotion Floral Shoulder BagBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Palm Beach, FLQuilted nappa leather medium Devotion crossbody bag. Feminine and adaptable, it boasts an original heart clasp with an antique gold finish and a shoulder strap inspired by the method...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Les Extraordinaires Tupelo PM HandbagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Palm Beach, FLRare Louis Vuitton spring les extraordinaires Tupelo PM edition from the 2006 spring-summer season in excellent condition. The white leather exterior has gold embroidery and set jewe...Category
Early 2000s French Shoulder Bags
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?