Yves Saint Laurent and Halston were two of the 1970s most successful and well-known designers— Halston dominated the American couture market with his subtle sensibility; Saint Laurent stood atop his Parisian empire with theatrical flare. And while you expect more contrast then comparison from the two designers, a new exhibition at the Museum at FIT is using menswear, exoticism and historical influence to realize their similarities and how they fashioned a time of major cultural change. Yves Saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning the 70s brings together more than 80 ensembles and 20 accessories once worn by celebrity clients and designer muses such as Lauren Bacall, Marina Schiano, Aimée de Heeren, Mary Russell, and Tina Chow.
And they've left a lasting impression. Decades later the fashion industry (and those who watch it) keep looking back to these two designers. “Everything is an ode to Saint Laurent, the colors of the 70s, or referencing Halston,” the exhibition curators told The Daily Beast of recent industry literature and reviews. “So there must have been something in that cultural environment linking these two designers.” Take a look at some of the discoveries they made.
Courtesy The Museum at FIT
Dirck Halstead
Courtesy The Museum at FIT
Susan Wood/Getty Images
Courtesy The Museum at FIT
Courtesy The Museum at FIT
Glen Martin
Courtesy The Museum at FIT
The Denver Post
Courtesy The Museum at FIT
Bettmann/CORBIS
Courtesy The Museum at FIT
