#2827 $2,200
Halston sequined silk chiffon dress, c.1973
When Halston turned his attention to beads and sequins in the 1970s, he redefined glitter in fashion. This elegant design features monochromatic, tone-on-tone sequins with just a hint of iridescent sparkle. The faux snake skin pattern seems to mold to the figure like a second skin.
The effect is mesmerizing, perhaps because Halston subtly invokes an optical illusion, similar to the café wall illusion, in the flawless design. From most angles, depending on the light, the dress seems to have a snake skin pattern. From the front, however, the pattern is deprecated so that the bodice appears largely monochromatic.
Minimalism, the term most often used to describe Halston's work, can be boring in the hands of a lesser artist. Halston's impeccable taste and mastery of cut transformed his simple ideas into a profound fashion statement.
The dress is fashioned from ivory silk chiffon totally covered with sequins and is completely lined with matching chiffon. The dress slips over the head with no closures. The style is comfortable and relaxed.
You can own this masterwork from an American fashion icon for less than it would cost to buy a mass produced contemporary dress by one of today's top designers. Halston's artistry is the best guarantee of aesthetic and monetary value.
Carrie Donovan wore a longer version of this sequined dress to the French-American fashion show at the Palace of Versailles in November, 1973—see page 206 of Halston by Phaidon. Page 247 has a picture of a model wearing the same sequined scale pattern in a different dress from the fall 1973 collection.
The condition is excellent.
It measures: 38" bust, 36" waist, 40" hip, 15 1/2" from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, 20 1/2" sleeve length, and 54" from the shoulder to the hem.
