Deep Dive: Halston (2019)
Film Lens

Halston is a biographical documentary that chronicles the life of Roy Halston Frowick, a leading American fashion designer. The film begins with Halston's early career at Bergdorf Goodman, where he designed Jacqueline Kennedy's famous pillbox hat for the 1961 presidential inauguration. It covers his rise to fame in the 1970s, marked by the opening of his fashion house in 1968 and a lucrative deal with Norton Simon Inc. that established him as a top designer and allowed him to launch a successful fragrance line.
The narrative is framed by a fictional researcher exploring Halston's archives, leading to insights about his later struggles in the 1980s. The film details his controversial partnership with JCPenney, which alienated him from the high fashion community, and his eventual ousting from his own company amid personal and professional turmoil. Halston's life ended with his diagnosis of HIV and subsequent death in 1990, providing a stark contrast to his earlier success.
Why Watch
- •Meet fashion icon Halston and his unique designs.
- •See rare archival footage of Halston and celebrities.
- •Follow Halston's rise and fall in the fashion world.
Did You Know
•Halston designed Jacqueline Kennedy's pillbox hat in 1961.
•He opened his fashion house in 1968 and became a household name.
•Halston's partnership with JCPenney was the first between high fashion and mass retail.
Perfect For
Fashion history enthusiastsFans of celebrity cultureDocumentary lovers