Halston was one of the most glamorous & talented designers in the 70s. Since his death in 1990, five designers have tried to revive the Halston line with no success. Last year Harvey Weinstein (movie maker & a douche - I am being nice) & Hilco bought Halston & hired the very talented Marco Zanini. He was Donatella Versace's right hand and also had designing stints at Dolce & Gabbana & Lawrence Steele.
Tamara Mellon (President of Jimmy Choo) brought the idea to Weinstein. She was put on the board along with Rachel Zoe (talented stylist). That's a train wreck in the making. Three people having creative input? Not gonna happen. There have been very few successful designer partnerships. Mellon is not creative in a design sort of way, Zoe is but she allegedly did not get along with Marco. The fashion industry made a hullaballoo when Zoe didn't appear at Halston's show in February. Why would she?
In a first, Net-a-Porter, the popular European fashion online retailer signed on to sell Halston's pieces the day after the runway show. All the items they put up sold out in one day & they weren't even the best of the collection.
American fashion critics gave it a luke warm review. So what? What new designer who is trying to reinvent a famous & much loved dead designer is going to be received with open arms? Give the guy a break. I was not in love with the show but a gown like the one shown here made me think this could work if Zanini was left on his own.
U.S. retailers were not interested although European and Asians liked the collection very much.
Zanini will show his Spring/Summer 09 Halston collection in the fall during Fashion week.
Rumors are stirring that Weinstein's very young wife - talented Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman will take over.
Firing Zanini was wrong in so many ways. It's a blessing in disguise though. I would rather patch cement holes on Manhattan streets when it's 90 degrees and humid than work for Weinstein.
APM
1 comment:
Bad move in firing a talent like Marco. I think the first collection at the helm of Halston was a good first try in attempts to reviving the brand. It is never 100% when a new designer is taking over an established label it takes at least 2 or 3 collections to get it right and to understand the designers point of view. Look at Frida Giannini for Gucci her first collection was not that great. Harvey should have no input in creative desicions. Leave it to Tamara and Rachel too that is if she ever decides to show up for something!
Ryan Mac
Post a Comment