Born in Des Moines Iowa in 1932, designer Roy Halston developed an interest in sewing from his mother and began creating hats and altering clothes at an early age . He moved to Chicago in 1952 and while working as a window dresser, studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His first break came when the local newspaper ran a story on his hats and in 1957, opened his first shop. He moved to New York later the same year to work for milliner, Lilly Dache and though he was named co-designer within a year, Halston left shortly thereafter to become head milliner for Bergdorf Goodman. He achieved fame in 1961 after Jacqueline Kennedy’s pillbox hat, and when he moved to designing women’s wear, was regarded as one of the premier designers in America. His creations were worn by the celebrity class of the time setting a style that was associated with the jet setters of the era.
His first perfume, Halston was introduced in 1975 and was sold in a bottle proposed by Italian jewellery designer, Elsa Peretti. At one time it was the second biggest selling perfume behind Chanel N°5. Popular men’s cologne Halston Z-14 was introduced in 1974, Halston I-12 in 1976, Catalyst for Men in 1994 and Halston Z in 1996.