Meet the Halstons

I've recently had the pleasure of *finally* coming across two smashing 1970s Halston pieces! I guess living around the corner from his first home finally worked its magic! These are not only great dresses but rare, signature pieces from quite early in his career.

First, the caftan. Given Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw's love of Halston (and SJP's as well!), this piece could not have surfaced at a more perfect time! Sky blue silk chiffon ombre dyed to a soft steely grey blue at its asymetrical hemline....collar details with handpainted collar necklace effect in salmons, pink & pewter.

Stunning body conscious coordinating silk jersey underdress in palest sky blue....

Along the same lines as his classic ultra suede shirt dresses, this black silk jersey early 70s dress clings to curves and buttons to knee, allowing unbuttoning as high as you'd like. Plunging V neckline with wide dramatic collar. A dress that goes from cute to *killer* from hanger to wearer!

The House of Halston

I live in an older neighborhood (you're shocked, I know). Houses around here are mainly bungalows built at the turn of and just after the turn of the century.....mine in particular in 1916. Some homes are in good repair, some in serious need of repair. But one house in particular has a bit more of a modern tale to tell.

This is the house of Halston, or so I'm told. The first home of Roy Halston Frowick sits just around the corner from my house here in Des Moines, Iowa...an unlikely start indeed for a man bound for glamour, fame and fortune.

Halston with muse Bianca Jagger & Liza Minelli

JANUARY MAGAZINE does a nice write up and review of the Halston biography (that I clearly must have), "HALSTON", by Steven Bluttal. A fascinating yet tragic character who met an unjust and decidedly non-glamorous end, Halston's work continues to withstand the test of time. Glamorous yet sleek and simple, as impressive on the runway as it was off.

I rarely come across Halston pieces (despite being in the city he began his life in!)....but have recently acquired this beautiful 60s Halston hat. Sculpted felt with curving graceful lines, inspired by the 20s but with the modern edge only Halston could add.

PS, speaking of hats! Just sent a box of vintage hats out to Vogue in NY again for potential use in another photo shoot! Wish me luck....

~Ang

Style in the Sky......A Collection of Designer Airline Apparel

Its not the first time this collection has shown up on eBay for the asking price of $250,000 but worth taking a look at in case it does indeed sell (90 pieces translates to $3000 a pop!). Click HERE to see the listing, and really....its worth it just for the eye candy value alone. And a good read! From the text, the collection was "Amassed by a former Braniff flight attendant who flew with the airline for 20 years, the collection includes 18 complete uniforms designed by Pucci or Halston along with a host of matching shoes, handbags, luggage, and other accessories."

For some fascinating reading and fantastic pictures regarding the stylish and chic Braniff International airline, click HERE. You can't pay me to get on an airplane (phobia), but maybe if they tried a little harder to be fashionable I'd re-think that!

From the site...

A page from the in-flight magazine featuring a Pucci design...

From the personal collections of photographs, a attendant gets her wings (wearing Pucci)...

Some highlights....

The iconic "Space Bubble Hat" by designer Emilio Pucci, designed to keep the flight attendant's hair from being affected by wind and rain....

PUCCI wildly printed tights and tunic dress....

Pucci bag....

A Halston set with trademark "H" print....

Coincidentally, and for kicks, check out the house HALSTON grew up in....just up the street from my apartment!

As for the collection....while it is a steep price tag, I believe part of its value is the fact that the pieces have remained together all these years. If I had the money to invest to aquire it AND open a museum (ok, seriously, if I had that much money I wouldn't be sitting here writing a blog, would I?) I'd do it JUST to keep it all together. So I appeal to whomever finally does splurge on this....keep the collection intact! And then call me, we should hang out.

~Ang