Fashion designers often collaborate with celebrities, and this partnership has a significant impact on fashion and culture. We will explore this impact, focusing on the work of Roy Halston Frowick better known as Halston, as a case study.
Fashion as Social Commentary:
When designers collaborate with celebrities, they use fashion to comment on important issues in society. Halston, known for working with stars like Liza Minnelli, used his designs to challenge traditional ideas about gender roles in the 1970s. His clothes were about empowerment and defying old-fashioned views of what women should wear (Panda, 2021). This was a way of reflecting the changing roles and aspirations of women during that time (Entwistle, 2000).
In the 1970s, Halston showcased style by introducing Ultrasuede, a machine-washable faux suede fabric. His simple yet fashionable shirtdresses and coats resonated with the era’s economic instability, where displaying wealth was discouraged.(Gordon and Marcketti, 2021).
Halston was also among the early designers to welcome diversity on the fashion runway. Models like Pat Cleveland, Iman, and Beverly Johnson joined The Halstonettes, a group of stylish women who were like living advertisements for the brand. They effortlessly wore Halston’s designs in their everyday lives(Magazine, 2021). He also did not want his designs to be only for wealthy and famous people hence he worked with JCPenney to create clothing for everyday middle-class Americans(Myers, 2019).
Comparison with Other Designers:
In the 1970s, Halston, Yves Saint Laurent, and Diane von Furstenberg were standout fashion designers. Halston’s designs were all about luxury and partying, often worn by celebrities at Studio 54 (Kelly, 2021). Yves Saint Laurent, on the other hand, focused on classic European elegance in his creations. Diane von Furstenberg’s wrap dress became a symbol of women’s empowerment.
Halston represented the glitzy celebrity culture, while Saint Laurent and Von Furstenberg were more about lasting sophistication and women’s rights.
These designers showed how fashion in the ’70s had different styles and messages that connected with the culture of the time(Cavallo, 2021)
Influence of the Times:
Halston’s designs were heavily influenced by what was happening in society and culture. In the 1970s, disco was everywhere, and Halston’s work with celebrities like Bianca Jagger perfectly captured that disco vibe (L’Officielusa, 2022). His use of shiny fabrics, daring necklines, and flowing shapes matched the spirit of the era. Halston’s designs were a reflection of what people wanted at that time which were personal expression and fun (MVCMagazine, 2021).
When fashion designers and celebrities work together, they create more than just clothes. They make statements about society, compare different design approaches, and capture the spirit of the times. Halston, with his focus on empowerment and the disco era, stands out in this world of collaborations. His work not only made celebrities shine but also helped shape the way society saw fashion.
