The fashion designer Halston, who began his career as a hatmaker and became one of the guiding forces in fashion, has died of an AIDS-related cancer. He was 57.
Halston, born Roy Halston Frowick, died in his sleep at 11:21 p.m. Monday at Pacific Presbyterian Hospital, nursing supervisor David Rein said Tuesday.His brother, Robert Frowick, said death came after a 1 1/2-year battle with AIDS and an AIDS-related cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma.
A top-rated designer, Halston designed the pillbox hat worn by Jacqueline Kennedy at her husband's presidential inauguration in 1961 and later pioneered the use of Ultrasuede, a synthetic fabric much like suede.
Known around the world for his originality and flair, Halston designed clothes for such celebrities as Lauren Bacall, Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger.