Halston and Halstonettes during Diana Vreeland's Costume Exhibition - December 8, 1980 at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Cover Halston and Halstonettes during Diana Vreeland's Costume Exhibition - December 8, 1980 at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

From Liza Minnelli to Joel Schumacher, these are the most notable figures in the American fashion designer's life who made an appearance in the show

Lights! Camera! Fashion!

The Netflix miniseries Halston that dropped last Friday has the internet abuzz with myth-busting stories and deep-dives into the American fashion designer's life. Roy Halston Frowick was best known in the Seventies and Eighties for his sexy, lean designs that went against the grain of the time, but fit perfectly into the discotheque era that birthed the legendary nightlife of Studio 54.

The other thing Halston was famous for? The people who surrounded him. Here are the figures in his life who made the biggest impression on the show. 

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1. Elsa Peretti

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Elsa Perretti, Jack Haley Jr., Liza Minnelli, Halston and Margaux Hemingway (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above Elsa Perretti, Jack Haley Jr., Liza Minnelli, Halston and Margaux Hemingway (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Another close friend of Halston's, the show depicted the Italian socialite as his fit model from the get-go, before her talent for sculpture and jewellery design led her to becoming a designer for Tiffany & Co. Her Bone cuffs and teardrop bottle pendant remain some of the most iconic pieces ever made for the brand. 

See also: The Inventive Tiffany & Co. Jewellery Designed By The Late Elsa Peretti

2. Joel Schumacher

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 19: Ewan McGregor as Roy Halston and Rory Culkin as Joel Schumacher are seen filming a scene for 'Halston' on February 19, 2020 in New York City.  (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Above Ewan McGregor as Roy Halston and Rory Culkin as Joel Schumacher are seen filming a scene for 'Halston' on February 19, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

While his career as Halston's righthand crashed and burned as seen in the show, Schumacher, played by Rory Culkin, actually went on to become a successful film director, screenwriter and producer; among his most notable films are St. Elmo's Fire, The Lost Boys and the much-maligned Batman & Robin

3. Liza Minnelli

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WASHINGTON, DC - UNDATED:Elizabeth Taylor, Roy Halston Frowick and Liza Minnelli are escorted by U.S Park Police in Washington, DC. (Photo by Frank Johnston/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Above WASHINGTON, DC - UNDATED:Elizabeth Taylor, Roy Halston Frowick and Liza Minnelli are escorted by U.S Park Police in Washington, DC. (Photo by Frank Johnston/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Above Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Portrayed as tied at the hips in the show, Academy Award-winning actress, singer and dancer Liza Minnelli was Halston's close friend and confidante, known to wear his designs exclusively, even for her wedding day. Minnelli, who is Judy Garland's daughter, is played by actress Krysta Rodriguez.

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4. Eleanor Lambert

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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05: Kelly Bishop and Ewan McGregor are seen on the set of 'Simply Halston' on November 05, 2020 in New York City.  (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Above NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05: Kelly Bishop and Ewan McGregor are seen on the set of 'Simply Halston' on November 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

The demanding and well-heeled publicist who corralled the American designers to go toe-to-toe with established French Houses (who at the time included Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro and Marc Bohan) in a showdown at Versailles was instrumental in advocating for American talent abroad which led to New York City becoming a reputable fashion capital.

Lambert was the founder of New York Fashion Week, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the Met Gala, and the International Best Dressed List.

See also: Met Gala Makes A Comeback In 2021

5. Joe Eula

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Joe Eula during Joe Eula Exhibit - "Fifty Years On Paper" at Stubbs Books and Prints in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above Joe Eula during Joe Eula Exhibit - "Fifty Years On Paper" at Stubbs Books and Prints in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

The renowned artist who served as Halston's creative director for 10 years was also a beloved collaborator and illustrator to many other designers including Yves Saint Laurent, Coco Chanel, Hubert de Givenchy, Gianni Versace, Christian Dior and Karl Lagerfeld. He was portrayed by Tony-nominee David Pittu.  

6. Babe Paley

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(Original Caption) Mrs. William Paley, the former Barbara Cushing Mortimer, of New York, is shown here. She was voted one of the world's ten best dressed women in the annual poll of fashion authorities conducted by the New York Dress Institute.
Above Mrs. William Paley, the former Barbara Cushing Mortimer, of New York, is shown here. She was voted one of the world's ten best dressed women in the annual poll of fashion authorities conducted by the New York Dress Institute.
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American fashion editor and socialite Barbara 'Babe' Paley (1915 - 1978), January 1954. She is the wife of CBS chief executive William S. Paley. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Above American fashion editor and socialite Barbara 'Babe' Paley (1915 - 1978), January 1954. She is the wife of CBS chief executive William S. Paley. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The American socialite who bought up and popularlised Halston's groundbreaking Ultrasuede shirt dresses in the show? That was Barbara "Babe" Paley—yes that Paley—whose husband William S. Paley founded CBS. She served as a fashion editor for Vogue for a stint and was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1958. Fun fact: She also kicked off the trend of tying silk scarves to handbags.

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7. Ralph Lauren

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Designer Ralph Lauren next to his book in window display at the celebration of Ralph Lauren's 40th Anniversary at Bergdorf Goodman on October 18, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Above Designer Ralph Lauren next to his book in window display at the celebration of Ralph Lauren's 40th Anniversary at Bergdorf Goodman on October 18, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

While strictly speaking, we only saw his back, according to the show, Halston supposedly got the idea to market a new item to his patrons at Bergdorf Goodman from Ralph Lauren (then Lifshitz) who tried to sell wide neckties under the brand Polo to department stores and refused to take no for an answer. True or false, Lauren is an undeniably iconic figure in American fashion. 

8. Jackie Kennedy

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Visit of the American president John F Kennedy and his wife Jackie to Paris, France. The President's wife Jacqueline, 31st May 1961. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Above Visit of the American president John F Kennedy and his wife Jackie to Paris, France. The President's wife Jacqueline, 31st May 1961. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

We might have only seen a quick flash of one of America's most stylish First Ladies in that iconic pillbox hat, but it is worth noting that Halston got his start by creating that memorable piece of millinery which launched his career. When the demand for hats began to wane, that was when Halston reportedly turned to expanding his repertoire to ready-to-wear.

See also: British Milliner Stephen Jones Is Responsible For Christian Dior's Sumptuous Hats

9. Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Stephen Burrows & Calvin Klein

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PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, a model, Oscar de La Renta and Karen Mulder attend an Oscar de La Renta show during Paris Fashion Week in the 1990s in Paris, France. (Photo by Foc Kan/WireImage)
Above PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 15: (L-R) Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, a model, Oscar de La Renta and Karen Mulder attend an Oscar de La Renta show during Paris Fashion Week in the 1990s in Paris, France. (Photo by Foc Kan/WireImage)

The household names of American fashion in the Seventies include the designers that Eleanor Lambert invited to show at the Battle of Versailles along with Halston. While Klein, de la Renta, Blass and Burrows were depicted as being much more established than Halston at the time, de la Renta is currently the only designer still actively showing on runways today while Klein and Blass have both gone through several owners and iterations since the designers' passing.

Burrows was widely regarded as the first African-American designer to find international success and his influence can be found on the likes of Brandon Maxwell and Christopher John Rogers today. Depicted as Halston's arch-enemy, on the other hand, is Calvin Klein, who was skyrocketing to fame for his provocative campaign and denim just as Halston's star was falling. The brand is now owned by PVH Corp and as of December 2020, Jessica Lomax, previously Nike's senior creative director of women’s sportswear apparel was named creative director for Calvin Klein.

10. Top models of the time

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Did you catch Dilone playing Pat Cleveland, strutting down one of Halston's runway shows? Cleveland, one of the earliest African American models to rise to prominence, was just one of many supermodels of the time that graced his catwalk.

Others include Bethann Hardison, Karen Bjornson, Bianca Jagger, Alva Chinn amongst others who were collectively called "The Halstonettes" for their role as part of the designer's entourage. 

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11. Pat Ast

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Pat Ast, guests and Halston during Party following the Coty Awards at Halston's Studio in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Above Pat Ast, guests and Halston during Party following the Coty Awards at Halston's Studio in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

The curvaceous and charismatic lady gliding down the stairs at Halston's flagship store was none other than Pat Ast, who served as one of Halston's muses but was perhaps best known for starring in Andy Warhol films including the 1972 movie Heat. 

She continued her career in Hollywood, landing roles in films such as The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox (1976), Foul Play (1978), The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981), and Reform School Girls (1986).

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