ARIEL B. DECEMBER 2012

Roy Halston Frowick

Born in Des Moines Iowa in 1932

Learned to sew from his mother

Attended one semester at Indiana University before enrolling at SAIC

Known as “world’s first internationally renowned designer”

Influential women’s clothing designer during the 60’s and 70’s

Did you know?

Before designing women’s clothing, Halston owned a millinery shop in

Chicago and is known for creating the pillbox hat that Jackie O wore at JFK’s

1961 inauguration.

Signature design elements

Minimalism/Minimal cutting

“[He] invented minimalism - that one note look. To Halston less was more.”

-US Vogue contributing editor Andre Leon Taley

Basic colors: blacks, whites, and reds, usually accented by a bright pop of color

Demographics/psychographicsof customers

60‘s/70‘s: Upper class women ages 25-45, usually of Caucasian decent, who held some

sort of high position in society in major metropolitan areas and had a large

discretionary income. After he licensed his line to JC Penny, women from many different income levels were able to purchase his lines.

Today: Now that Halston has been relaunched, they aim to target

basically the same type of customer, but the age range is a little lower, with many young celebrities from age 20-45

wearing Halston.

Anjelica Huston modeling for Halston Dakota Fanning in Halston

Product Price Range60‘s/70‘s: When Halston opened his first store, he had clothes sold at two different price-points.

There was one lower-priced floor with mass produced garments and an upper floor with

custom-made garments.

Today: The new line features dresses in the $300-$700 price range.

When he debuted his famous Ultrasuede shirtwaist dress in 1972, the price was $185,

but demand sent it to $360.

Modern day Halston off-the-shoulder dress $395 at Bloomingdales

Halston on Size“You have to have something for the woman who is overweight--a loose tunic and pants is

good because it elongates the body. You have to have something for the woman with hips--the princess line works for her. Caftans

are fine for the woman whose figure isn't perfect.”

Halston now carries sizes 00-14

Commonly Used Fabric

Halston was known for his use of Ultrasuede--the first synthetic ultra-microfiber-- especially in his infamous shirtwaist dresses. This was a sheer material that really showcased the minimalism that he strived for in his work, structuring the body and hugging it in the proper

places.

Ultrasuede

Halston with models showcasing his use of Ultrasuede

Current MerchandiseHalston is still found in the marketplace, although obviously under new management and known mostly as Halston Heritage. Stores that carry the line include Nordstrom, Neiman

Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdales. Even Zappos.com carries a few select pieces. Imitations of the shirtwaist dress can be found on e-retailers such as Etsy as well as

independent vintage retailers.

Halston Heritage Dress from Neiman Marcus Halston Heritage Dress from Bloomingdale’s Halston Heritage Dress from Zappo’s

Influence

“Halston had the strongest influence in fashion early in the

decade, when he helped bury the wild, anti-establishment look of the 60's, with its gypsy colors, fringed leathers and tie-dyed fabrics. He

introduced the more sober clothes that women were ready for.”

—Lisa Belkin The New York Times

Halston was one of the first designers to license himself (to JC Penny) which allowed him to

reach women of different incomes. Halston went against the “anti-establishment” trends of the

60’s and tried to regain some simplicity in dress, and trends soon followed. He also went

on to design uniforms for the Girl Scouts, Braniff Airlines, the 1976 US Olympic team, and the

New York Police Department.

Braniff Airlines Uniforms by Halston

Did you know?

Halston’s perfume, Halston, became the second best-selling perfume of all

time when it debuted.

Historical ImportanceHe was also a huge fixture in the 70’s

disco scene, being close friends with Andy Warhol and frequenting Studio 54. Studio

54 was the it place to be in NYC in the 70’s and he provided clothing for

celebrities and patrons that reflected that scene.

70’s Vintage Halston Disco Dress

Halston and Andy Warhol

70’s Vintage Halston Disco Dress

Sources

http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/designers/bios/halston/

http://www.biography.com/people/halston-20672697

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/halston-set-for-relaunch-5618783

http://www.halstonmovie.com/

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1993.351ab

http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/1762/Halston-Roy-Halston-Frowick.html