Vogue later noted that Halston was responsible for popularizing caftans, which he made for Jacqueline Kennedy; matte jersey halter top dresses; and polyurethane in American fashion.

What was Halston known for?

He was known for his sexy, flattering silhouettes that felt modern and used innovative materials like ultrasuede. Not only a commercially successful designer, Halston was also critically-acclaimed and won four Coty Awards throughout the '60s and '70s for his work in millinery and fashion.

Did Halston invent Ultrasuede?

Halston became synonymous with the material known as Ultrasuede — in part because of this blockbuster shirtdress. Halston didn't invent the lightweight polyester/polyurethane blend fabric with a suede-like feel, but he had a hand in popularizing it in the early 1970s.