The Shrimpton Couture Archives

• This is a phenomenal made-to-order couture Halston dress from 1979.
• It was made under the creative direction of Roy Halston. 
• This dress was purchased from the original client whose husband bought it for her. 
• Its twin is documented as being a part of the runway show that was filmed by Andy Warhol for his TV show "Fashion: Halston", 1979.
• This dress is a very rare piece and shows the extraordinary custom made-to-order work that he was doing during his time period and the high level it was being done at.
• It is made from a deep forest green silk chiffon that has been covered in thousands and thousands of iridescent green tube beads.
• It drapes over the body like magic. There is a touch of Studio 54 disco era sexiness thrown in the mix and it just could not be better.
• The bodice has a draping halter front panel that is a single layer of the silk chiffon that has been completely covered with the bead work following the curve created once on.
• This curves up and around the neck where it hooks to close. This allows the front to drape in a curving plunge and the placement of the fabric holds it in place so that you feel safe wearing it. There is also a little second piece of silk chiffon inside that has the feel of a soft halter bra top.
• The entire back is left completely bare and open with just a tiny bit of the curve from the front showing at the base just above the waist.
• It comes with its original matching tie belt whose beads are done in the opposite direction of the dress so it really shows the contrast between the dress and the belt. I love that detail. This lets you cinch in the waist as much as you want to really emphasize the shape or you can wear it more loose and easy.
• The skirt falls from there and curves over the hips and widens out a touch as it nears the floor. The entire thing is made from a double layer of the same deep green silk chiffon with the very top layer completely covered with long bands of vertical set tube beads.
• The silk chiffon base keeps the dress light in weight despite the dense covering of glass beads.
  
• The dress is lined in green silk chiffon as described above and closes with hook and eye above a keyhole at the back. It hooks to close behind the neck. It comes with its original belt. I see a couple of very minor marks on the inside inner layer of the silk chiffon inside the bodice. There are a couple tiny places where a couple beads are missing. Please see the photo after the label shot. These are extremely minor and just mentioned for accuracy.
• There is no size tag present so please check the listed measurements below.
• Excellent condition

Bust: up to 19" flat across from side to side of the front halter. It is going to drape to fit the bust underneath it once on. 
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open to 25" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx 15" from neck to waist
Total length: 58" from waist to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Reference Photo: Still from Andy Warhol video "Fashion: Halston", 1979. From the book "Halston: An American Original".

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