Last week I took an artist date to the FIT Museum. I wanted to experience the Yves Saint Laurent + Halston exhibition, Fashioning the 70s, for a second time. Halston, born Roy Halston Frowick (American-born), is the first designer I remember. My mom was fond of his fragrance and minimalist designer pieces in the 80s. While Halston came to my attention very young, I learned of Yves Saint Laurent (Algerian-born) by observing celebs, like Kanye West, flaunt his lux menswear.
(left) Yves Saint Laurent (right) Roy Halston Frowick
It never crossed my mind to think of the two designers at the same time. Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) is known for being extravagant while Halston had a one-note take on fashion. Despite their stylistic difference the overlap between the two designers aesthetic is eerily in sync. Seeing the exhibition for a second time exposed details that I overlooked the first.
Can you guess which is YSL and which is Halston?
(left) Halston, dress, printed knit cotton, c. 1976, USA, Gift of Ms. Gayle Osman; (right) Yves Saint Laurent, dress, printed silk chiffon, c.1971, France, Gift of Lauren Bacall
Can you guess which is YSL and which is Halston?
(left) Halston Red and White Day Dress, Printed linen, c. 1977, New York, gift of Eileen Roberts (right) YSL Pink Day Ensemble Printed silk crepe, c. 1975, Paris, gift of Mrs. Sam Salz
The curators of this exhibition exposed three distinct themes: menswear, exoticism and historicism. These themes highlight Halston and YSL's work in a seamless way. Below you'll find my iPhoneography of some favorite pieces.
Theme 1: Menswear
This theme captures inspiration from menswear by putting women in pants, safari, and even gangster looks.
Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, "safari" jacket, khaki, c. 1968, France, Gift of Mary Russell
These looks were about pushing boundaries and transporting the wearer across continents and oceans. Essentials included dresses, blouses, pajamas, and ethnically inspired accessories.
The YSL beaded African-inspired dress I adore
Mandarin-inspired Halston dress
Theme 3: Historicism
The 3rd similarity between Halston and YSL involved looking at fashion from the past in an era when thrifting was non-existant.
The simple elegance of these Halston gowns is sublime especially the off white evening dress, sequined polyester, c. 1974, USA, Gift of Celanese
Full waist 19th century inspired Yves Saint Laurent, evening dress, black, fuchsia and teal satin, velvet, and taffeta, c. 1976, France, Gift of Mrs. Edwin Hilson
Be sure to check out the Yves Saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning The 70s exhibition if you are in the New York area it closes April 18th. This was a fun show to view -- I enjoyed guessing who's work was who!
