“American designers had never been invited to show in Paris, and this was a huge deal,” Minnelli said about the event during the CNN documentary. Minnelli performed “Bonjour Paris!” onstage as Halston presented his styles. Minnelli was there for Halston during one of the most pivotal moments of his career: at the WWD-dubbed “Battle of Versailles.” At the “battle,” Halston joined fellow U.S.-based fashion designers, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, Bill Blass and Stephen Burrows, in a showdown against five French fashion designers. The duo was mutually supportive of each other’s careers. “It was a dress from ‘An American in Paris,’ and perfectly made, exactly like for the ladies, and I guess I got into appreciating how clothes could change the way you felt.” “He was like my dad in a way because when I was a little girl, my father would give me five costumes every year,” Minnelli said in the CNN documentary. Minnelli credits Halston with developing her interest in fashion, and had said he was like a father figure to her. “Ultimately, were each other’s greatest love.” “They sharpened each other as friends and collaborators,” Rodriguez said. He was also an uncredited costumer on her film “Cabaret.”Īccording to actress Krysta Rodriguez, who plays Minnelli in the Netflix series, in an interview with Vanity Fair, Halston designed the “Cabaret” costumes after Minnelli told him she didn’t like the costumes that were already made for her. Halston dressed Minnelli both onstage and off. I said to my dad, ‘Do I look alright?’ he said, ‘You look perfect because you’re not overdressed and you’re not underdressed.”
“My father’s favorite color was yellow and I wore that and jewelry that Halston had picked for me for the night. “It was like a T-shirt collar to the ground, straight down, and a sweater made of crepe, same as the dress,” Minnelli said about the Oscars look in a 2020 Variety interview. She regularly wore Halston’s designs for her high-profile appearances, including when she picked up an Oscar for best actress in “Cabaret” in 1973 dressed in a bright yellow dress and sweater. Halston is credited with forming Minnelli’s style and was reportedly responsible for her signature pixie-cut hairstyle. He’d say, ‘Alright, I got it.’ He put on you, and it danced with you. Minnelli also talked about their meeting in the CNN 2019 documentary, “Halston,” stating: “When I met Halston, I just remember him talking and me listening. In him there was tastefulness, style and simplicity.” Every show I did, I performed in his living room first. “From that time, I never did a show or went to a party - or threw one - without him guiding me. “I met him when I was 20,” Minnelli told WWD in a 1990 interview. The pair was inseparable during the 1970s and 1980s, attending many events together, often partying at Studio 54 and traveling internationally. “We got along instantly, and he became my fashion mate,” Minnelli said about the meeting in a 2011 interview with Harper’s Bazaar. Minnelli, the daughter of actress Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli, was introduced to Halston by her godmother, actress Kay Thompson, in the late 1960s after Minnelli was drawn to one of Halston’s designs, a sweater and pants set, she saw on a shopping trip at Bloomingdale’s. The duo also became Studio 54 regulars, and Minnelli was a frequent guest at Halston’s infamous house parties at his Upper East Side town home. Halston and Minnelli’s friendship spanned most of his career and continued even after Halston was ousted from his own design company.
Netflix’s “ Halston” limited series gave an in-depth look at many facets of the iconic fashion designer’s life, including how he built his fashion empire, his Studio 54 days and his close friendships with his many muses.Īmong the muses the Netflix series portrayed, one that has stood out for many viewers is actress and singer Liza Minnelli.