Evening dress
Designer
Halston
(1932 - 1990)
c. 1976
Silk crepe
Gift of Celanese
Object number80.128.4
For the sarong evening dress Halston chose the purest shade of red. The Sarong appears simple and uncomplicated, but in actuality like many of Halston's most innovative designs is an example of masterful pattern construction. Working in a process similar to origami, the dress is made from one shaped pattern piece cut on the straight grain that wraps around the body in a spiraling motion, and when completed a sensual bias draped column is formed. Its only ornament a pretty knot tied at the center front of the strapless neckline. The Sarong was first created for Halston's 1976 made-to-order collection and subsequently added to the ready-to-wear line due to its success. The Sarong was made in some of the most luxurious of Halston's signature fabrics - hammered silk satin, charmeuse, chiffon, and velvet in a range of colors from champagne, deep green to black.
DescriptionLong strapless tie front evening shift in red silk crepe; draped, bias cut from single trapezoid pattern piece, and asymmetrically seamed; bustline shaped with CF foldsExhibitions