HALSTON STYLE - A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE FAMED AMERICAN FASHION DESIGNER OPENS AT THE NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
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March 25, 2017 -- The Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor hosted an opening reception for its latest exhibition, Halston Style this past Friday evening. The comprehensive retrospective of the work of the American fashion designer, Roy Halston Frowick, features rooms of elegantly clothed mannequins, sketches, and a rich array of photographs and artifacts that accompanied by film and video documentation tell the story of Halston's career, designs, collaborations, and influence.
Sponsored by “H Halston exclusively at Lord & Taylor," the exhibition was organized by Guest Curator Lesley Frowick, the designer's niece and confidant, and author of Halston: Inventing American Fashion. The showcase includes many never-before-seen objects from Halston’s personal archives, left in Ms. Frowick’s care with the directive to use them to tell the story of the designer’s career and lifestyle. And that's exactly what this exhibition does - with pieces, original sketches and photographs chronicling his early years from his work for the Hat Salon at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City to later designs that were a part of his JC Penny's line, a sortie into the affordably-priced clothing market. A literal timeline of his life displayed in a hallway connecting two galleries helps the visitor put it all together. The exhibition also focuses a good deal of attention on the designer’s collaborations with artistic contemporaries. Elegant fragrance bottles designed by Elsa Peretti and the jewelry with which she accessorized his garments are displayed, as are photographs by Hiro who produced much of the imagery used to market, advertise and promote the Halston brand. Photographs of dancers wearing Halston-designed costumes, along with extensive accompanying text, tell the story of his partnership with legendary choreographer Martha Graham, and other images of his friendship with Pop Artist Andy Warhol with whom he was often seen hanging out at Studio 54 during the discoteque's heydey. Halston designed for many celebrated American women, among them First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Betty Ford, and was a favorite of several top actresses and performers, including Elizbeth Taylor and Lauren Bacall. But most notable was his close association with Liza Minnelli. Having designed the gown she wore when accepting the Oscar for Cabaret, he went on to design her costumes for film and stage, finally becoming Minnelli’s exclusive designer. Among the highlights of the exhibition are Halston’s iconic pillbox hat design, made famous by Ms. Kennedy in 1961. Additionally visitors will find his innovative Ultrasuede shirtdress garment as well as examples of the designer’s classic gown silhouettes. Special programs that accompany the exhibition include presentations by the curator Lesley Frowick, discussions and interviews with clients and professional associates of the designer, as well as film and video screenings documenting Halston’s contributions to the fashion industry. The exhibition will also serve as inspiration for the Museum’s family programs during the run of Halston Style. For further information on programs that accompany the exhibition, please visit nassaumuseum.org/events. ABOUT LORD & TAYLOR Founded in 1826, Lord & Taylor is the oldest department store in the United States and one of the country’s premier retailers. It has built its reputation on offering high-quality fashion apparel and accessories, exciting store environments, and seamless service. Lord & Taylor operates 50 full-line locations primarily in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S., and lordandtaylor.com. It is part of the Hudson’s Bay Company brand portfolio. BACK TO WEEKLY 
Photograph by Lesley Frowick, 1988
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“You are only as good as the people you dress.”
– Halston “This is a story of a self-made man who rose from the amber prairies to the glittering heights of success in Manhattan. Along the way he created a uniquely American definition of chic that remains relevant to this day – one of simplicity made elegant He was the first superstar American designer.” – Lesley Frowick, Halston: Inventing American Fashion 
Halston’s Madison Avenue boutique window display of the designer’s best selling 1976 Savage Suit swimwear collection, photo by Jerry Melmed.
Halston Original yellow/mauve beaded dress, Resort 1984, his last collection, (c) Lesley Frowick 2017
Halston Bunny Ears, 1975, bunny suits and masks Halston designed for models to wear at “Magic, Fantasy and Dreams,” a costume benefit ball for Skowhegen School of Painting and Sculpture (October 25, 1975), Illustration by Joe Eula
Halston Original Gold Lamé Sarong, 1976, (c) Lesley Frowick 2017
Halston Limited hand-painted blue/yellow/mauve caftan, Resort 1972, Illustration Stephen
Halston Original Iridescent Lamé, 1982, (c) Lesley Frowick 2017
Halston gown for Liza Minnelli in “The Act,” 1977, Illustration by Joe Eula
Halston Limited Warhol flower dress, Fall 1975, Illustration by Stephen Sprouse
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