1970s Halston For Study Design Flower Silk Crepe Vintage 70s Tunic + Trousers
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Marked Size: Small (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU66219413612
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1970s Roberta Lynn Regal Paisley Silky Wide Leg Belted Vintage 70s JumpsuitLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing 1970s ROBERTA LYNN regal paisley print wide leg belted jumpsuit ! Features an ivory backdrop with jewel tones in purple, pink, fuchsia, and gold throughout. Tailored bodice w...Category
1970s American Jumpsuits
- 1970s Colorful Paisley Print Nylon Tunic Dress + Wide Leg Trousers Vintage SetLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible vintage 70s colorful nylon paisley print long sleeve tunic dress and wide leg trousers ! Tunic simply slips over the head, and features gold etched buttons up the front.Po...Category
1970s American Trouser Pant Suits
- Rochas Couture Runway Fall 2004 Light Purple Black Size 40 - 6 / 8 Skirt SuitBy RochasLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful ROCHAS Runway Fall 2004 light purple, black and gray skirt suit ! Pillbox jacket features three black enamel buttons up the front. Semi sheer mesh...Category
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits
- Marc Jacobs Spring 2005 Size 8 Blue Green Fantasy Tweed Wool Skirt SuitBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Diego, CAChic MARC JACOBS Spring 2005 60s style blue and green skirt suit ! Soft wool and nylon blend that is completely lined. Silk details at sleeves, waist and neck. Full gold zipper up th...Category
Early 2000s American Skirt Suits
- 1960s Romper Large Size Navy + White Striped Cotton Vintage 60s Skort DressLocated in San Diego, CAStylish 1960s large size navy blue and white striped romper, with skirt over ! Features flattering vertical stripes down the front and back. Contrasting horizontal stripes on sleeves...Category
1960s American Jumpsuits
- 1980s Tadashi Royal Blue Rhinestone Cut Out Stirrup Pant Vintage 80s JumpsuitBy Tadashi ShojiLocated in San Diego, CAAwesome 1980s TADASHI royal blue rhinestone encrusted jumpsuit ! Features hundreds of rhinestones encrusted on the cut-outs of the front neck. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and...Category
1980s American Jumpsuits
- Dolce & Gabbana pink floral silk jacket and skirt ensemble, c. 1990sBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana hot pink silk ensemble with vibrant floral print throughout. Knee length jacket with leopard silk lining. Above the knee length pencil skirt. c. 1990sCategory
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Dolce & Gabbana black wool embroidered 3-piece evening ensemble, ss 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB- Slim fit pants - Vest with built in bra - Obi belt Spring-Summer 1999Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana silk chiffon blouse and skirt pants set, ss 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana chiffon set ▪ 90% Silk, 10% Lycra ▪ Loose-fit blouse with large scarf collar ▪ Fitted leggings with attached mini skirt ▪ IT 38 - FR ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana coral cropped jacket and mini skirt suit, ss 1992By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana coral cropped jacket and mini skirt suit ▪ Viscose, silk and elastane blend ▪ Textured surface ▪ Cropped single-breasted blazer jac...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Armani Collezioni Cream High Waist Straight Fit Trousers MBy Armani CollezioniLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Versatile creations are the hallmark of Armani Collezioni, and these cream pants are no exception! Made of a silk blend they feature a high waist and straight fit silhouette. They co...Category
2010s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
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?