SJP walks away from Halston
In 2007, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein purchased Halston. What then stood as a beacon of hope for the iconic '70s brand has since dissolved. Here's why.
In 2007, Miramax Films founder and movie mogul Harvey Weinstein purchased Halston with a private-equity firm. What then stood as a beacon of hope for the iconic '70s brand has since dissolved.
In a recent turn of events, reports reveal that Weinstein is on his way out. Furthermore, Vogue's August cover girl Sarah Jessica Parker casually revealed in an interview with the publication that she has, in fact, left her post as chief creative officer of the brand.
Although the fashion industry is rampant with speculation, the company's slow and steady decline comes as no suprise. The best source of information regarding the background of this fiasco came from Daily Beast senior reporter Jacob Bernstein, who provided an in-depth look at what happened.
When Weinstein stepped in, he implemented a series of changes that had the potential to give the brand a huge image and publicity boost. Not only did his Hollywood connections give him the ability to sway A-list actresses to wear Halston to various functions, but he also appointed super stylist Rachel Zoe as a consultant for the company.
Zoe's celebrity from her Bravo show, in conjunction with her army of star supporters, should have catapulted the brand into a position of dominance. However, Zoe did not contribute positively. In fact, in a high-profile 2007 interview with NYT Magazine, Zoe offended Vogue's Anna Wintour, one of the most influential voices in fashion.
In 2010, fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker, best known for role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, was appointed Chief Creative Officer of Halston. Her fame brought a media frenzy upon the brand, but the unraveling of the American company was already in place.
With SJP out now, Harvey Weinstein is reportedly set to follow her. The future of creative director Mario Schwab also remains a big fat question mark. Where do you think Halston stands?