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Holy Halston Andre!
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Last week, Neiman Marcus in Union Square was all a twitter with Louboutins painting the gleaming tiles red, women in gorgeous runway-worthy gowns and me in my modest and frugal H&M outfit (side note: I was wearing my luxurious Franceschetti boots to make my stride expensive). All of this wasn’t just another random night at Neiman’s – it was all for the love of Halston.
The glitzy Studio 54 looks of Halston
Through October 23, Neiman Marcus showcases the vintage minimalist glamour of the fashion label by Roy Halston Frowick with a retrospective of his work from the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Oh yeah, did I mention that Vogue Editor-at-Large, Andre Leon Talley made an appearance? I’ll get to that in a bit.
The retrospective is an admirable representation of Halston’s work (side note number two: the Neiman Marcus in SF is the only one that's doing this). Ranging from his signature hoods and capes to a naughty Studio 54-esque starburst nude dress, the man behind the magic (besides Halston) is Stéphane Houy-Towner, a freelance curator who was commissioned by Halston – and he knows his stuff!
"Cat Pack" Cashmere!
As a Costume Institute guru at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Stéphane is a bottomless resource of Halston fare. As he took me to every piece in the retrospective, he gave me a thorough discourse (and very energetically, I might add). From the fancy, yet sporty, “Cat Pack Cashmere” selections from 1972 (named after the catty “ladies who lunch” of the day) to the Golden Zebra chiffon dress from 1981 that would make Alexis Carrington gush, Stéphane knew every single story behind the garment including one of my personal faves – the red limo coat, a very structured cut jacket that has the belt sewn in which makes it easy for the celebs who wore it to maneuver in and out of a limo – hence “the limo coat.”
The Golden Zebra dress of the '80s
The "Limo Coat"
While looking at the Halston buffet, I had to go up to each piece to examine the simplicity – which isn’t something someone should have to do. But with intrigue pushing me, I was mesmerized by the history and no frills aesthetic.
“It’s about simplicity and ease,” says Stéphane. “And that is the sportswear element.”
As for Andre Leon Talley’s appearance, everyone was giddy. There was actually a receiving line to greet him as if he wore the Pope. Well, he is the Pope of fashion. So maybe thereceiving line wasn’t that far fetched.
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Donned by the ladylike celebs of the ‘70s and ‘80s like Barbara Walters, Candice Bergen and Liza Minnelli, the retrospective is stunning. But if you do plan on seeing it (which I recommend you do) you have to HURRY because it ends on Oct. 23. But here are the pieces you have to gawk at:
The 1970 “Bo Ho” dress: A tie dye silk jersey chiffon delicacy that many women would die for and is the oldest piece in the exhibit.
The 1975 “Le Sexy” Jumpsuit in silk jersey: Who doesn’t love jumpsuits? I could SO imagine the cast of Charlie’s Angels wearing this in different colors.
The 1977 Burnout Velvet Gown: Simply delicious.
The 1979 Black wool hooded cape and silk crepe dress: It’s very “Red Riding Hood in a Tim Burton movie.”
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