'Halston' on Netflix: Why The Legendary Fashion Designer Is Set to be Your New Obsession
In the ’70s, New York was a hotbed of frenetic design energy that churned and burned through its stars faster than a jet plane. Fashion designer Halston was one of those stars who burned the brightest, leaving an indelible mark on the worlds of fashion and entertainment alike. Now, his life has been turned into a five-part Netflix series dropping May 14, turning the spotlight on an American fashion icon once again.
The series traces the designer in his heyday of the ’70s—partying it up with his famous friends (Liza Minelli, Elsa Peretti, Bianca Jagger) at Studio 54, turning his label into one of the hottest brands in the world—and his eventual decline in the ’80s. It will show how the designer "leverages his single, invented name into a worldwide fashion empire that’s synonymous with luxury, sex, status and fame, literally defining the era he lives in, 1970s and ‘80’s New York—until a hostile takeover forces him to battle for control of his most precious asset… the name Halston itself," according to the show's press release.
Ahead of the show's release, we give you an inside look at the man who inspired the show, and everything you need to know about your (soon-to-be) new Netflix obsession.
Who is Halston?
Roy Halston Frowick, known mononymously as Halston, was born on April 23, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa. He got his start in the fashion industry as a milliner, gaining great fame for outfitting Jacqueline Kennedy in her iconic pillbox hat for JFK's presidential inauguration, before turning his focus to womenswear, pushing his sexy, glamorous aesthetic into the mainstream. He is best known for his use of ultrasuede, a sensuous synthetic fabric that clings to every curve, and luxurious cashmere, paying attention to the strict line and form of his subjects. Unfortunately, due to a spate of bad business decisions in the ’80s, Halston eventually lost control of his company and died at 57 from Aids-related illnesses.
Who is playing Halston in the show?
The ever-chameleonic Ewan McGregor stars as the titular fashion diva himself, and—movie magic aside—is it just us or do they actually bear an uncanny resemblance?
Who are Halston's friends in the show?
The show will portray his friendship and relationships with some of the biggest celebrities and creatives of the era; his elite friend circle, dubbed the "Halstonettes", included Bianca Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Anjelica Huston, Liza Minnelli, the late Tiffany & Co designer Elsa Peretti, Joel Schumacher, Victor Hugo, Joe Eula, Ed Austin and many more.
Who is the team working on the show?
The show has an award-winning team behind it—with Dan Minahan (American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace) as director, Ryan Murphy (Glee, Pose) as producer, and Sharr White (The Affair) as writer.
When will Halston air on Netflix?
Halston will premiere on 14 May on Netflix.