Halston in the History of Modern Fashion

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Halston in the History of Modern Fashion
Roy Halston Frowick is one of the outstanding American designers of the 1970s, whose work has been relevant even over the 21st century. He utilized a revolutionary concept as an approach to personal branding. Halston focused on a modern aesthetic that was in tune with the rise of disco. Besides, the designer established his namesake womenswear boutique on Madison Avenue while focusing on a streamlined aesthetic that would reflect his unique signature style (Donohue 3). His unique designs reflected the liberation movement of the 1970s and the sudden rise of women in the workforce. Halston was one of the pioneers of diversity in fashion just before it changed to a buzzword.
Halston attained fame in the 1970s based on his minimalist and elegant designs. He used unique styles to reflect changes in society from one decade to the other. He created a liberated lifestyle for gays and women as a reflection of cycles. According to Voss, the designer’s aesthetic chimed with the 70s as a period characterized by widespread women’s liberation across society (82). He created clothes that made an impact through sheer simplicity by framing the body of the wearer. The prominence of fitness culture influenced the popularity of designer clothes (Donohue 2). During the 1970s, women focused on liberating their bodies. As a result, he realized that people needed to look elegant and comfortable at the same time. The designer made modern clothes that would suit the nightlife of the studio and glamor dressing.
Besides, the designer used various fringe types, flowers, and jewels in decorating bonnets, coifs, and hoods. As a result, he served as milliner’s head for the luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman. Jacqueline Kennedy made his work known after wearing a pillbox hat during her husband’s inauguration as a president. Following the occasion, Halston became close friends with Liza Minelli, Diana Vreeland, Rita Hayworth, and Marlene Dietrich (Voss et al., 79). He offered a unique perfect look for the international jet set from designing women’s wear in 1966. During the fall of 1972, he introduced a shirtwaist dress from ultra-suede, a durable, beautiful, and washable fabric. After two years, he introduced the halter dress as one of the most iconic designs. The dress was a hit in the discotheques of America to give women an elongated and narrow silhouette.
Fashion is one of the aspects that have a long history based on a related array of models. Notably, Halston was a pioneer of diversity before it emerged as a buzzword while booking various models for his runway campaigns and shows (Elan 2). The designer featured a diverse cast, including Pat Cleveland, China Machado, and Marissa Berenson, during a versatile showdown betwe...