Sarah Jessica Parker is undoubtedly a style icon. Sure, she made some less-than-chic appearances in Footloose and Square Pegs, but those days are over; in 2010, Sarah was named president and chief creative officer of Halston Heritage. The Halston diffusion line was launched in 2009, and produces updated looks from the archival style bank of the original brand.
Sarah wore Halston Heritage several times in the last Sex and the City film, which was a good indicator that the impending collaboration was in play. However, after almost a year, has the actress really left her mark on the classic American fashion house?
The collection released under her reign features severe sequin work, lamé, and incredible draping that has become a label signature. Yet, I’m not certain the diffusion line is a substantial departure from Halston’s prior seasons. The biggest difference is probably the abundant embellishments, which don’t quite fit in with Halston’s throwback 70s vibe. Think sequin wool pant suit and black chain-mail bucket bag. For those who aren’t looking for head-to-toe bling, the faux-suede sapphire version is a viable option. There are more tailored pieces as well, like the asymmetric stretch jersey dress, and ruched matte mini dress.
Think back to Halston’s Spring 2009 collection, and it will give you an idea of what’s in store for the brand; the similar silhouettes makes it hard to distinguish the collection from its predecessors. Color splashes of pure lilac and deep blue, along with metallic fabrics, add some freshness.
Despite the company’s creative efforts, they have seen sales slip for the past 20 years. That’s a big reason why a celebrity like Sarah was brought on board this time around.
The verdict? It seems Sarah’s presence has helped connect the retro label with the sleeker silhouettes of the millennium, and the more down-to-earth price points are definitely necessary in this current economy. The fashion world may take some time to catch on, partly because the collections are a bit too disco for high-end sophisticates. Sarah recently admitted that she has no real background in fashion, so perhaps she should be graded on a curve.
