Power, Grit and Glamour

The Women Behind Halston

Tamara Sturtz-Filby

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9798765153994
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Design History & Criticism
• Index: Business

An intimate look at the Halstonettes-the women who inspired legendary fashion designer Halston.

One of the greatest fashion designers of all time, Halston defined and dominated the 1970s. He was America's first fashion superstar, a groundbreaking craftsman and a pioneering businessman who also exuded glamour, wit and charm. More important than the million-dollar success and the movie-star status though was the powerhouse of incredible women that he surrounded himself with. This is the untold story of those women.

Power, Grit and Glamour: The Women Behind Halston highlights the entourage of women who not only worked with, accompanied, and supported Halston at every turn, but were fiercely loyal and loved him deeply. Beginning with Eleanor Lambert, the 'Godmother of Fashion,' Tamara Sturtz-Filby charts the rise of Halston from every socialite's hatmaker to creating his own named label, introducing readers to the women who guided him every step of the way to fame and stardom. He had loyal friendships with Liza Minnelli and Elizabeth Taylor. His close confidantes included "Halstonettes" Elsa Peretti and Chris Royer, as well as models and actresses including Bianca Jagger, Marisa Berenson and Pat Ast. He had invaluable relationships with Vogue editors Diana Vreeland and Grace Mirabella, and a long-term collaboration with America's doyenne of dance, Martha Graham. These are just a few of the women Sturtz-Filby profiles. Featuring exclusive interviews and quotes from those who worked with and knew Halston, as well as fifteen color photographs that visually transport the reader into Halston's world, this is the story of fashion's formidable women, without whom there would be no 'Halston'.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Prologue: The Man in the Black Cashmere Turtleneck
• Chapter 1: Copycats of New York
• Chapter 2: The Empress of Seventh Avenue
• Chapter 3: Hats Off to Halston
• Chapter 4: Halston for Bergdorf Goodman
• Chapter 5: A Star Is Born
• Chapter 6: The Ladies of Fifth Avenue
• Chapter 7: Sequins and Tinseltown
• Chapter 8: Halston’s Girls
• Chapter 9: Modern Muses
• Chapter 10: Disco Divas
• Chapter 11: Prima Ballerina
• Chapter 12: In Vogue: The Scarlet Woman
• Chapter 13: In Vogue: The Beige Years
• Chapter 14: Final Farewell
• Chapter 15: A Lasting Legacy
• Epilogue: Halston’s Women Have Their Say
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index
• About the Author