Iconic Late 1970s Halston Rare Iridescent Gold & Black Sequin Tiger Print Dress

This is one of the most iconic of Halston's designs and instantly recognizable as his work. Halston used this flat applied sequin technique predominantly between about 1977 to 1982. Instead of layering and overlapping the sequins, they were laid out flat in rows, side by side, to create a pattern over the silk base. It creates a beautiful visual effect. This is a stunning example of his work from this time period and was made even more famous when Rachel Zoe wore her longer version while pregnant for her Hollywood Reporter cover.

This dress is phenomenal and a rare find. The base is a nude silk chiffon that is cut on the bias and has a touch of transparency to it. That silk is then covered with thousands of tightly spaced iridescent sequins with a slight gold tinge to them mixed with glossy black sequins. Halston imported these sequin fabrics from India and during this time period India is where some of the best sequin work in the world was being done. The mix of the two colours create that fabulous tiger effect and the thousands of sequins  allows the dress to catch the light from every single angle. It is stunning to see. Besides creating that tiger effect, the sequin design also effectively highlights the curves of the body and visually create more curves. To wear the dress you slip it on and zip it at the back. The dress then simply falls into place over the body in his signature simple sheath silhouette skimming over you from bust to hip. It falls to just past the knee depending on your height. The sleeves are long and and straight cut. The have a slightly more gold feel then the rest of the dress and I love this tiny subtle contrast. The edges of the hem, cuffs and collar are edged with a band of back sequins for a near and simple finishing detail. It is very simple yet genius at the same time. You end up entirely covered and yet with the lightness of the fabric, it's slight transparency and bias cut movement of the fabric, is still very sensual and sexy. This is a balance that Halston excelled at. The dress is feather light and feels like a dream on. It is stunning and a wonderful and rare example of his work. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition with a couple of minor notes below

Unlined and closes at the back with a metal and nylon zipper. Hand finished. Very minor sequin loss near the seam of the shoulders, which you don't see when on, and a teeny area on the back hip. Maybe the occasional sequin missing elsewhere but this is all very minor. A reinforced spot along the shoulder with invisible mending tape. A very rare dress.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 46.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4000

Reference Photo: Rachel Zoe for The Hollywood Reporter March 2011

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.