Halston a new documentary on the life and times of legendary fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick will have its New York premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. The film directed by Frédéric Tcheng (“Dior & I“) released the trailer and poster ahead of the Sunday, April 28 premiere date.
America’s first superstar designer, Halston rose to international fame in the 1970s, creating an empire and personifying the dramatic social and sexual revolution of the last century. Reaching beyond the glamour and glitz, acclaimed filmmaker Frédéric Tcheng reveals Halston’s profound impact on fashion, culture, and business.
Halston captures the epic sweep of the life and times of the legendary designer Roy Halston Frowick, the man who set women free with his unstructured designs and strove to “dress all of America.” Framing the story as an investigation featuring actress and writer Tavi Gevinson as a young archivist diving into the Halston company records, Tcheng expertly weaves rare archival footage and intimate interviews with Halston’s family, friends and collaborators including Jacqueline Kennedy, Liza Minelli, Andy Warhol and Iman. What results is a behind-the-headlines look into the thrilling struggle between Halston’s artistic legacy and the pressures of big business.
HALSTON TIMELINE
April 23, 1932 Roy Halston Frowick is born in Des Moines, Iowa.
1953 Halston begins working as a professional milliner in Chicago.
1957 Halston moves to New York City and quickly establishes himself as a leading milliner.
1960 Becomes Head Milliner for Bergdorf Goodman department store.
1961 Designs pillbox hat for First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (worn during inauguration).
November 28, 1966 Truman Capote hosts his infamous Black and White Ball at New York’s Plaza Hotel.
1968 Halston leaves Bergdorf Goodman, opens Halston Salon (68th and Madison Avenue) on December 2, 1968.
1969 Halston launches Halston ready-to-wear; Halston Salon is managed by Ed Austin.
1972 Halston uses Ultrasuede to create a smash-hit shirtdress which lands the cover of Newsweek magazine.
1973 Halston’s entire business is sold to Norton Simon, Inc., making him the first designer to have his trademarks purchased by a corporate conglomerate.