The film; `HALSTON – DOCUMENTING AMERICAS FIRST SUPERSTAR DESIGNER‘ just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. It opens May 24 in New York City and May 31, in Los Angeles. Halston was a huge creator of original fashion, known for his unique talents of cutting the fabric, then draping them into soft elegant garments, using only one seam, a technique that is still rare in the rag trade. He burst onto the fashion scene in the 1970s and died in San Francisco, California in 1990 at 57 years-old.
Halston
SIRIUS XM RADIO
At a special SiriusXM Radio `Studio 54 Radio’ presentation, hosted by Myra Scheer and Mark Benecke, held at SiriusXM midtown studios, a team of panelist/guests discussed, the man, the movie and the magic of Halston. Anchoring the panel were: Frederic Tcheng, Writer, Director and Producer of the movie; Roland Ballester, Producer of the movie; Karen Bjornson and Alva Chinn, legendary Halston former models and members of the `Halstonetts’ the famous model crew that toured with the designer; Lesley Frowick, niece of Halston who is in possession of several Halston memorabilia and archival footage used in the film and Fred Dennis, Senior Curator of Costumes @ Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology who revealed they have some 250 of Halston’s original garments in storage. They were joined by an audience of several fashion influencers who also weighed in on the legendary designer.
THE IMAGE
The group discussed their experiences with Halston who was described as a professional who was focused on his fashion image, role in the industry and his extravagant lifestyle. With his signature dark glasses, black turtleneck sweaters and tailored blazers, Halston struck an impressive, well-coiffed image and had a huge impact on fashion, culture, and business. In his prime, Halston attracted a powerful list of high-end customers including Elizabeth Taylor, Bianca Jagger, Angelica Huston, and Jacqueline Kennedy.
THE FILM
The movie chronicles the life of Halston who was born Roy Halston Frowick in Des Moines, Iowa in 1932, He attended Benjamin Bosse High School and the Art Institute of Chicago. Halston rose to international fame in the 1970s, creating a fashion empire and personifying the dramatic social and sexual revolution of the last century. Gems were also revealed in the conversation as well as in the film on the man behind the design magic. The film included footage from the legendary Halston fashion shows, held at his infamous glass and mirrored Olympic Towers office/showroom on Manhattan’s east side. His fierce interaction with popular models of that time: Iman, Naomi Simms, Pat Cleveland, Karen Bjornson and Alva Chinn among them is exposed as well as fittings, photo shoots and dancing the night away at Studio 54 with the models all dressed in Halston made the news. Halston’s models were branded “Halstonettes” and he took them on the road, appearing at trunk shows all over the US and abroad. Events like the Halston tour in China with a historic photo shoot at the Great Wall and the significant appearance at the 1973 `Battle of Versailles’ in France, were well documented in the movie.
THE DOWNFALL
Halston’s remarkable clothes were sold at Bergdorf Goodman’s exclusively, but his career took a dramatic turn when he decided to have JC Penney carry his line. “I want to dress all of America,” said the designer, much to the dismay of his backers, bankers and business associates. Halston was so caught up with the creativity and his extravagant lifestyle, that he didn’t care, or really understood the business end of his brand. Excessive spending, drug use and all night partying was very much a major part of his life and it became his downfall. The movie Director Frederic Tcheng expertly weaves rare archival footage and intimate interviews with Halston’s family, friends, and collaborators including; Jacqueline Kennedy, Marisa Berenson, Liza Minelli, Andy Warhol and Iman.
THE REAL DEAL
The movie hit a low note towards the end, when several of Halston’s original gowns, once sold for $3000 – $5000, were sold at for as little as $20.00. After Halston left, the company’s name was carried on, led by several other designers over the years, included; Anne Klein, Randolph Duke, Kevan Hall, Craig Natiello, Bradley Bayou, Jeff Mahshie and Marios Schwab. In essence, the movie turns out to be a real behind-the-headlines look into the thrilling struggle between Halston’s artistic legacy and the pressures of big business.
