Halston: An American Original (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Fred Rottman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When I think of my beloved friend, the five words I think of are these: elegant, fashionable, generous, supportive, decent. I thank you, Halston.
-- Liza Minnelli

No American designer since Claire McCardell has had such an impact on redefining fashion as Halston. His designs have experienced a tremendous revival and are as popular today as they were when he was alive. This is the first extensive look at Halston and his contributions to the fashion world, starting with his days as a milliner; through the explosion of his clothing lines and licensing deals, to the sale of his name and trademark and his theatrical designs for Liza Minnelli and the Martha Graham Dance Company.

This comprehensive survey of Halston's work is based on exclusive interviews with the people who knew and worked with Halston throughout his turbulent career. They include such celebrity Halston fans as Liza Minnelli, Katherine Graham, and Angelica Huston as well as industry insiders such as Marc Bohan, Stan Herman, Valerie Steele, and contemporary designers who claim Halston as an inspiration for their designs. Joe Eula and Kenneth Paul Block contribute their original sketches, as do manyy well-known fashion photographers.

With more than two hundred photographs Halston: An American Original is the quintessential volume for all fans of Halston and lovers of fashion.

About the Author

Fred Rottman worked for Halston in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a workroom supervisor and a fitting and design assistant. Prior to that he was the last student of designer Charles James. He is executive vice president of the U.S. division of Picchi S.p.A., a prestigious Italian textile company.

Elaine Gross is a freelance fashion writer and former fashion director with international experience in numerous areas of the fashion industry. She consults on marketing communications and public relations via her own company, Elaine Gross International.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 236 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060193182
• ISBN-13: 978-0060193188
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 10.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #512,554 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EYE CANDY!!!, July 30, 2001

By A Customer

Photographs are worth the price of the book alone! I haven't had a chance to read any of the text yet, but there's a lot of it, and a lot of STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHS! THE BEST PHOTO HISTORY OF HALSTON I'VE EVER SEEN. MANY THANKS TO THE AUTHORS FOR THIS WONDERFUL BOOK AND LABOR OF LOVE! LOTS OF HUGE, COLOR, AND RARE PHOTOS. THANKS!

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nice Cover - Leave Shrinkwrap On, September 10, 1999

By A Customer

Roy Frowick Halston is rolling over in his grave faster than he ever did at Studio 54. The sorry accumulation of texts and stilted design make this a disappointment for Halston fans.

Does it address the body of work? No. We have had stupid anecdotal accounts galore, but this is a shame-faced attempt to be - WHAT? Coffee table tome? It cannot be. Too ugly. Some quality assessment of his millieu? Not a thing. Who are all of these parties involved? Embarrassing. Do not waste your money.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER MEDIOCRE BOOK ON A FASHION DESIGNER, August 28, 1999

By A Customer

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER UNDERWHELMING BIO on a Fashion Designer...Considering how important he was, the book is poorly edited, and cheaply done. It is well-researched though, but this hardly gives the reader a feeling for how this man changed the way women dress...I FELL ASLEEP!