Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 28, 1990 TAG: 9003280317
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO LENGTH: Medium
He died in his sleep at Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center Monday night. His brother, Robert Frowick, said Tuesday that Halston had suffered from AIDS for the last 18 months and died of a related cancer called Kaposi's sarcoma.
Halston asked his family to auction an all-black Rolls-Royce "dream car" he bought for more than $200,000 last year and to donate the proceeds to AIDS research.
Halston spent some of his final days touring the California coastline, especially Big Sur, in the Rolls-Royce, Frowick said.
Known worldwide for his simple and sexy creations, Halston designed clothes for such celebrities as Lauren Bacall, Minnelli and Bianca Jagger. Bacall dubbed him "Halstie Baby," and once ordered 75 outfits priced at $200 to $1,000 each.
Through his work he became friends with Warhol and other celebrities, including model Marissa Berenson.
The top-rated designer was responsible for the pillbox hat that Kennedy wore at her husband's presidential inauguration in 1961. The hats became popular with millions of women.
He later pioneered the use of Ultrasuede, a synthetic fabric much like suede.
Born Roy Halston Frowick on April 23, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa, he attended Indiana University and the Chicago Art Institute. Said to have been fascinated with his grandmother's hats as a child, he began making hats while still in college.
A memorial service is planned Friday at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. Halston's body will be cremated.
by CNB