1970S Halston Cream Beaded Silk Cocktail Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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 PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressLocated in New York, NY1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressCategory
1970s Casual Dresses
- 1990S GIANNI VERSACE Style Silk Crepe De Chine Leopard Baroque Scarf Print DressLocated in New York, NY1990S GIANNI VERSACE Style Silk Crepe De Chine Leopard Baroque Scarf Print DressCategory
1990s Casual Dresses
- 1960'S Pyschedelic Floral Cotton Long Sleeve Mod Dress With PocketsLocated in New York, NY1960'S Pyschedelic Floral Cotton Long Sleeve Mod Dress With PocketsCategory
1960s Casual Dresses
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Peach Silk Jersey Dress With Cutout Front & 1930S Floral TrimBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Peach Silk Jersey Dress With Cutout Front & 1930S Floral Trim MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
- 1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownLocated in New York, NY1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownCategory
1970s Formal Gowns
- MORPHEW ATELIER Dark Fuscia Silk Jersey Low Cut Cocktail DressBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW ATELIER Dark Fuscia Silk Jersey Low Cut Cocktail DressCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- COURREGES Paris c.1960's Vtg Mint Green Tie Front Overall Midi Day DressBy André Courrèges, CourrègesLocated in Thiensville, WICOURREGES Paris c.1960's Vtg Mint Green Tie Front Overall Midi Day Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Courreges Paris Circa: 1960's Designer: Andre Courreges Style: Overall Day Dress Color...Category
1960s French Day Dresses
- Chanel New Ribbon Tweed Dress in BeigeBy ChanelLocated in Dubai, AENew stunning Chanel dress made of most precious Ribbon tweed -- current price of Chanel boutique for dresses in this kind of tweed starts from 10,000€ Size mark 38 FR. Never worn. - ...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- Silk jersey and chiffon printed cocktail dress Averardo Bessi Circa 1960'sBy Averardo BessiLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRSilk jersey and chiffon printed cocktail dress. Belt with gold metal hardware and chain fringes at the end. Shoulder pad. Zip and hook&eye in the middle back. The top part of the dre...Category
1960s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- A Pierre Balmain Lurex Knitting Three-pieces Set - France Circa 1980By Pierre BalmainLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1980 France Pierre Balmain three-piece knitwear set in silver and purple lurex. Long-sleeved, tight-fitting top with cuffs. Small turtleneck closing with invisible staples. L...Category
1980s French Greek Style Dresses
- Printed shirt dress Lanvin Circa 1970'sBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRPrinted shirt dress. Button covered with fabric. SIZE LCategory
1970s French Chemise Dresses
- MADELEINE VIONNET c.1924 “Little Horses” Soft Green Glass Beaded Flapper DressBy Madeleine VionnetLocated in Thiensville, WIMADELEINE VIONNET c.1924 “Little Horses” Soft Green White Glass Beaded Flapper Dress Circa: 1924 Designer: Madeleine Vionnet Style: Flapper drop waist dress Color(s): Shades of green, gray, and white Lined: No Unmarked Fabric Content (feel of): Silk; glass (beading, rhinestones) Additional Details / Inclusions: Madeleine Vionnet design soft green “Little Horses” beaded flapper dress. Sleeveless dress with scooped neckline; scooped back. Silk crepe fabric cut on bias...Category
1920s 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?