Halston and Jackie Kennedy
These days we hear more and more about american fashion designer Halston, which is certainly because of the launch of Netflix’s latest series a few weeks ago, which shows in five episodes that he was not just an everyday designer, but he has also lived an ususal life. A separate article would be worth to present his work or his famous clients, but this time we have written about one of his most famous clients, Jackie Kennedy.
We’ve already written about the first lady and her dress worn at the 1961 presidential inauguration ceremony (click here to read it). But we did not mention that the hat that perfectly matched her outfit designed by Oleg Cassini was designed by Halston, who was still at the beginning of his career at the time. He opened his hat shop in 1953 and welcomed his customers, among whom more and more stars and famous actresses appeared, such as Kim Novak or Gloria Swanson.
Halston’s world has changed a lot in 1961 when Jackie Kennedy asking him to design a hat for the presidential inauguration ceremony. Halston gladly complied with the request, but at the first fitting section, the hat proved to be small, which could be seen as soon as Jackie picked it up. However, Mrs. Kennedy liked the work of the designer so much so she did not want to remodel it, meaning it remained as small as it was. But on the day of inauguration ceremony, the weather was windier than usual, and the wind got into the hat. Before it flew away, Jackie grabbed it and pressed it firmly into his head. This is how it reached its final form known today (Jackie’s Pillbox hat), with a dent on top. The manufacturers later “reproduced” this style, we see this version on all the photos.
The Kennedy’s in 1961 (source: pinterest)
Halston’s career has taken off, soon opened a store in the most elegant part of New York, and has become one of America’s most famous designers of all time. He joined the circle of friends of many famous people / families, he designed clothes for many celebrities. He gained fabulous wealth while enjoying life, resulting in his death in 1990 from a complication caused by AIDS. He was only 57 years old.
Halston is sitting in the middle, on his right side is Elizabeth Taylor, next to her is Liza Minella. On Halston’s left side is Betty Ford (source: The LIFE Images Collection)