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Roy Halston Frowick was born in Des Moines, Iowa,
USA, on 23rd April 1932. He attended the University of Indiana and the
Chicago Institute. While still studying, he was designing and selling
hats.
In 1953, he opened a millinery salon in a Chicago hotel,
where his clientele included film actresses Gloria Swanson and Deborah
Kerr. He trained briefly with Charles James, the great fashion
designer. In 1958, he joined LILLY DACHE in New York, moving shortly
after to the millinery salon of Bergdorf Goodman's New York department
store. Halston designed hats for Jacqueline Kennedy including a beige
felt pillbox that was widely copied. She wore many pillbox hats with
the dresses which Oleg Cassini designed for her.
In 1966,
Halston began designing ready-to-wear garments, leaving Bergdorf
Goodman to open his own business. Halston Ltd., was founded in 1968 on
Madison Avenue, New York. During the late 60's and early 70's Halston
established a reputation as a designer of knitwear, sweaters and wide
legged jersey trousers. He also made turtlenecks, long slinky
halter-neck dresses, cashmere dresses for day and evening, sweater sets
and boxy square jackets and coats. American socialites considered him
the best evening wear designer. He also tie-dyed chiffon and used matte
jersey in many of his collections. In 1972, he made a shirtwaister of
Ultrasuede which inspired many imitations. Ultrasuede was considered to
be a Halston trademark.
In the 60's, designer Stephen Sprouse worked at the house of Halston for 3 years.
In
1973, Norton Simon incorporated Halston's business for $ 12 million and
named this new division of its conglomerate Halston Enterprises Inc. In
1978, he moved all his activities to the Olympic Towers Building, in
Manhattan, New York.
His popularity in the 70's made him a
social figure, most famously among the set that frequented New York's
Disco named Studio 54. Bianca Jagger and Liza Minelli were friends and
clients.
Halston was famous for his draped jersey dresses and
lean trouser suits. He was very much inspired by classical Greek and
Roman draping.
In 1983, Halston signed with J.C. Penney, the
large department store, for a cheaper line, which caused many of his
higher class clientele to leave him. In 1984, he attempted to regain
ownership of his custom business and designer ready-to-wear but was
unable to do so, and went out of business. He died on 26th March 1990
when only 58 years old.
In the year 2000, the city of New York
decided to honour American fashion designers by placing bronze plaques
along 7th Avenue, the great street of fashion in New York. This was
called the "FASHION WALK OF FAME'. Halston was one of those honoured,
and here is a picture of his plaque.
Various designers have
looked after the house of Halston. Randolph Duke from 1997-1998, his
assistant Kevan Hall 1998-1999, followed by Craig Natiello who left in
November 2001.
Thai-born Piyawat joined Halston in April 2001.
He was earlier with Anne Klein, Adrienne Vittadini and Vivienne Tam.
When Craig Natiello left, he took over the design for Halston. He
presented a successful Fall/Winter 2002 collection, followed by another
for Spring/Summer 2003. |
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