Comments on: The history of budget fashion: Halston for jcpenney

By: Ryleigh Dean

Ryleigh Dean — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 22:27:03 +0000

Hi there! Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading this post. Your approach to the subject was unique and informative. It’s clear that you put a lot of effort into your writing. Keep up the great work, and I can’t wait to see what else you have in store.

By: Laila

Laila — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 22:00:00 +0000

Had no idea about this. Myrtle Snow on American Horror Story Coven just referenced this and I had to check it out.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 12:28:36 +0000

In reply to janie. Wow, Janie, thanks for sharing such a well thought-out response. Love the other perspective of looking at mass-market designers trend.

By: janie

janie — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 15:24:00 +0000

In reply to Mrs Windy City. Probably because Halston died in the 1990 and Halston the brand is just a company.

By: janie

janie — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 15:21:00 +0000

Last night I watched “Ultrasuede” on Netflix, a biography of Halston’s life. He was ahead of his time, and a major influence on the fashion industry. His fashion was designed for the 1970’s woman, during a time when women were really expressing their independence and political power, and so his fashion was greatly admired within the high fashion industry and among movie stars. I gathered that the JCPenney thing did not work because at that time the JCpenney customers were homemakers with small children. These were the babyboomers whose parents had survived a world war. His clothes were some of the most expensive in JCPenny. $50 for a blouse in the 1970s was like finding a blouse for $150 at Walmart today. The product did not match the customer or the society. I grew up in the 70s and I do feel there was a different view of clothing brands. Back then, high fashion belonged in high fashion stores, and in Paris, and if it were too common or accessible, it was no longer high fashion because there was probably something wrong with it, it probably wasn’t the same, and someone might notice. He was asked in interviews if he thought this would downgrade his name. It’s like he was warned in advance of what actually did happen. He didn’t think so because he was a man ahead of his time, and willing to do something nobody had ever done before. For this he should never be considered a failure but a pioneer. I think these days we are more accepting of designers going mainstream because the world has gotten much smaller with the internet, and increasing numbers going to college and traveling the globe. I think the masses see themselves as more upgraded, rather than viewing the designers as downgraded. The masses now buy a wide variety of branded clothes online (Eddie Bauer, REI, North Face, Gap) instead of the standard functional elements from the JCPenny or Sears catalogue.

By: 1IrishRose

1IrishRose — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:50:00 +0000

Believe it or not I have a Halston tweed blazer with a black velvet collar from his JC Penney collection which I still wear, especially around the house. I had received many compliments about this blazer and, although it’s a little worn-looking, I still love it. It is still a stylish and a warm jacket.

I also remember him being interviewed on one of the morning talk shows and they questioned him about designing for the not-so-fancy JC Penney’s store and he was not that comfortable with being questioned about it.. What a shame that he got financially hurt by this decision but I was fortunate to benefit from him. God rest his soul!

By: mike

mike — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 05:56:00 +0000

Halston died in 1990, not 1998.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:08:00 +0000

Love your article. I wrote one about Halston, too.
https://www.fashion-law.org/2011/09/ultrasuede-in-search-of-halston.html

By: highfalutin3

highfalutin3 — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:56:34 +0000

i love that high end designers have made their fashion more accessible. im totally into inclusivity. most folks are not even aware of these designers unless their at target or jc penneys, etc. and those of us who are aware mostly cannot afford the astronomical price tags. kudos to the folks at target who include us commoners.

By: Mrs Windy City

Mrs Windy City — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:29:51 +0000

Wow! I did not know this! Very interesting and Intriguing. Its sad that Halston (currently) cannot find its way even after SJP (and the Sex and the City 2 backing) signed on to resurrect it.

By: Janet Cohen

Janet Cohen — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:49:23 +0000

Kathryn, this is fascinating. Thank you. I remember the rollout of the Halston line and all the hype that it would ruin his high priced line. Yes, he was 30 years ahead of his time. Want to hear something else fascinating? Yesterday I got my new Bazaar. Vera Wang had a 6 page spread, 2 for couture, her shoes, her sunnies, and 2 pages for Simply Vera, her well loved line at Kohl’s. The style is just the same for her Kohl’s line, just the materials are different. High and low are now integrated and accepted.