Halston

 

Halston, born in 1932 in Des Moines Iowa, began his career as a milliner working for Lilly Dache in New York.  It was after he moved to Bergdorf Goodman that he created the infamous pillbox hat, popularized by former first lady Jackie Kennedy.  During the 1960s Halston established himself as the designer of the Studio 64 scene, creating flowing tie-dyed evening gowns like this example (V.87.140), donated to the Valentine Richmond History Center by Mrs. William T. Reed, III.  The donor first saw this dress on the cover of the Thalhimer’s 1972 report and later purchased it from the store.

Halston also popularized the use of ultra suede like this women’s light purple ultra-suede day dress from the early 1980s (V.94.87.13a,b), purchased from local retailer Montaldo’s.

V.87.140

V.94.87.13a,b

Jackie Mullins
Registrar
Valentine Richmond History Center