Halston Comes to QVC: H by Halston Budget Fashion Line

H by Halston debuts Sept 10 on QVC. Select styles are available online now.

QVC is attempting to resuscitate fashion brand Halston with a new budget collection called H by Halston. Halston was a uniquely American luxury fashion line that became popular in the 1970s, popularized by stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Bianca Jagger and Liza Minnelli.   Later the buzz around Halston began to fade.   In what may have been an attempt to keep Halston hot, the brand went to JCPenney with a bridge collection called Halston III.  Sadly, that line was a disaster, and high-end stores like Bergdorf-Goodman stopped carrying Halston after he went to JCP.  Why? Because the JCP line bore little resemblance to the Halston brand and cheapened it.  By the 1990s, Halston was only a perfume.   In recent years, Halston’s sketches were revived and brought to life in the Halston Heritage line.   Now QVC is going to try to do another Halston budget line, and hopes for better success than the poor Halston had in his lifetime with JCPenney.  Dukes of Melrose star Cameron Silver will be on hand Sept. 10 on QVC to launch the  H by Halston collection.  Here’s what you can expect.

The QVC  H by Halston Jumpsuit is a node to the classic jumpsuits Halston popularized.

As the owner of several vintage Halston pieces purchased years ago at high-end stores in New York City, I don’t see a whole lot of the original Halston design touches in this QVC collection, except for a bit of the classic draping.  This is basically a licensing of the Halston brand name by the owner XCEL brands.  Designer Roy Halston Frowick was not known for designer drawstring knit dresses or boat neck tops (like those in the QVC collection.) Having said that, a few pieces are more similar to original Halston’s than others.   The side wrap jumpsuit is reminiscent of the designer’s Studio 54 heyday.   A few of the blouses have the style of draping some of the Halston originals had.   Note, this collection is not that cheap.  Prices for H by Halston range from  $32 to $399.   According to QVC ” the collection will include luxurious knits, pants, dresses and jumpsuits. Bucket bags, totes and more in buttery leather and rich hues add sophistication to any outfit.” The footwear in the  collection offers  pumps, casual and comfortable flats and classic boots.

Designer Halston with Bianca Jagger and Elizabeth Taylor in his heyday.

For more upscale versions on Halston, check out Halston Heritage Collection at Saks. To see the full QVC H by Halston collection  collection tune in on  Thursday, September 10 at 10 PM (EST)   I’ll be interested to hear what  Cameron Silver, who has been named Fashion Director of H by Halston, has to say about this “homage.”