Fashion Designer Profile: Roy Halston
Roy Halston Frowick (1932-1990) 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.

Bradley Bayou

The latest designer at the house of Halston is Bradley Bayou (shown on the right). Bradley is a Texan, 6'4" tall, born in 1956 who is well-known for his extravagant couture gowns.

Bayou joined Halston in December 2002 and has created the collections for Fall 2003 and for Spring/Summer 2004 which was shown during New York Fashion Week in September 2003.

Bradley does frequent guest spots on TV shows like "The View" and dresses celebrities like Oprah, Debra Messing and even Queen Latifah on Oscar night. He is a great admirer of Halston, and plans to bring his original style up to modern times.

Bradley's show for Spring 2004 consisted of 20 pieces shown to a very select crowd belonging to New York's social register. They nodded and smiled as each model stopped so that they could examine the clothes. Bayou captured the essence of Halston - seductive and glamorous evening wear intermixed with casual and chic daywear. All the gowns were suitable for red-carpet appearances with exquisite detailing, and craftsmanship. Laser cutting done in Switzerland was the secret, Bradley said.

Film of the life of Halston

It is reported that a film is under production depicting the life of Halston, who will be played by Alec Baldwin. It will show the fashion icon and the life he led. Filming is due to start in Autumn 2004. Liza Minelli will probably play herself but there is no news about other stars who will play the celebrities who attended Studio 54 with him in the 1970's.

Fall/Winter 2004

  • Bradley Bayou's Fall collection for Halston was shown during New York Fashion Week in February 2004. It was a non-vegetarian show with lots of mink and fox fur, with fall versions of the "Leaf" dress seen at this year's Golden Globe Award function.
  • He included many of the bequtiful long gowns for which he is so well-known, like this one on the right embroidered with leaves and flowers. His clothes should be part of the Haute Couture shows since they are so beautifully made.

    Spring/Summer 2005

  • During New York Fashion Week in September 2004, Bradley Bayou presented his Halston Spring collection.
  • The show took place in the penthouse of the Royalton Hotel, and showed 1950s silhouettes for women seeking fantasy dresses and modern-day Cinderella ballgowns worthy of red carpet occasions. A short party dress in vivid pink fluttered with delicate laser-cut petals and there were also shapely tailored suits. One mini looked like an aquarium covered with fish.