George Halley (couturier)

George Halley

George Halley (born 1930) is an American couturier awarded the Coty Award in 1968[1] shortly after opening his wholesale business on West 56th Street in Manhattan, New York City.

Career

Born and raised in Alliance, Ohio, George Halley worked on his family's farm until graduating high school, whereupon he hitchhiked to New York City to pursue his passion for fashion. Halley began his fashion career as a porter at Lord and Taylor's. He progressed to working in the backrooms of several Seventh Avenue dress firms. His first own collection, launched in 1967, consisted of "romantic" gowns in silk and satin that evoked the antebellum South. It was considered "too individualistic" by his employer, who fired him. Instead it won him the backing of Norman Norell's bankrollers and became a trendsetter.[2] His 1968 collection won the Coty award[1] and made him known in fashion circles throughout the US.[2]

Private life

He married Claudia Morgan, a former model for Norell (who gave her away), and later started a new line named for her, Claudia. His wife served as an inspiration and a critic of his work and had a say in the choice of fabric.[3] They separated in 1978.

References

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