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In the 1970s, designers took even further control of where their shows were held. Halston, who had risen in fame and success since his arrival on the scene in the early 1960s, sold his name and his company to Norton Simon Industries in 1973. With this funding, Halston was able to put on extravagant, wildly glamorous shows at his new showroom in the Olympic Tower building on Fifth Avenue.

Fashion historian, and author of Eleanor Lambert: Still Standing, John Tiffany said of Halston’s fashion shows:

“Many people have told me when Halston began showing at the Olympic Tower, that’s when fashion shows became more like we think of them today. His shows were like Broadway presentations. He had a mirrored showroom and drag queens and Liza Minelli modeling.”

Tiffany went on to describe how by the 1970s, designers like Halston held real power.

“Now fashion is controlled by the CFDA, but before the it was founded in 1962 by Ms. Lambert, the power was in the hands of the manufacturers. After WWII, the Couture Group had been controlled by the garment manufacturers. Ms. Lambert was always fighting them, and the designers were fighting with each other and everyone was fighting with the garment manufacturers. One of Ms. Lambert’s greatest legacies was that she gave the designers power. The CFDA has real power to decide what happens in the industry. That’s unheard of; that’s the artist who’s in control. That alone could be her legacy.”

In the 1980s, designers began to head downtown to lofts and studios in the art district to show their new collections. The shows were all over city. According to Tiffany, designers like Calvin Klein “wanted to show what their brands were like, they wanted to affiliate a lifestyle with their designs.”

To learn more about the history of Fashion Week, purchase Eleanor Lambert: Still Here at Pointed Leaf Press

§ One Response to Fashion Week History: The 1970s and 80s

• FASHION says:

  October 27, 2011 at 4:48 pm

  Very nice and informative post thanks for sharing

  Reply