Impressive Fashion Designs by George Halley in the 1960s

Born 1930 in Alliance, Ohio, American fashion designer George Halley hitchhiked to New York City to pursue his interest in fashion at the age of 18 in 1949. His first job in New York was as an assistant to Baron Max von Waldeck, a designer from Austria.

Halley never received formal training, but did work for Charles James, Jo Copeland for Pattullo, Andrew Arkin, Richard and Sidney Blauner, Jeunesse, Tzaims Luksus, and Jane Derby, as well as the photographer Richard Avedon. While Halley was working for Arkin, Diana Vreeland, the editor-in-chief of Vogue at the time, saw a dress of Halley's that she liked. Afterwards, she often gave him space in her magazine, and once wrote him that seeing his dresses provided “the greatest possible pleasure.” Among the women he designed for were Dionne Warwick, Julie Andrews, Lauren Bacall, Julie Wilson, and Alexis Smith.

Halley’s 1968 collection won the Coty award and made him known in fashion circles throughout the U.S. He opened his fashion house on West 56th Street in Manhattan. His label lasted for about ten years. These vintage photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by George Halley in the 1960s.

Samantha Jones is wearing gold-painted orange silk dinner pyjamas by George Halley, photo by Bert Stern for Vogue, 1967

Astrid Schiller is wearing a black little jibba banded and trimmed in gold over black jersey pants by George Halley, photo by Avedon, Vogue, 1966

French singer Françoise Hardy in short chiffon dress in large color blocks of magenta, green and purple, the dress is thinly strapped bared to a V, with matching scarf by George Halley, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, March 1, 1967

Isa Stoppi in deep powder-blue crushed velvet caftan traced with silver flowers and richly braided by George Halley, jewelry by Jules Van Rouge, mules by Herbert Levine, photo by Neal Barr, Harper's Bazaar, October 1967

Lovely Samantha Jones in a beguiling chiffon dress with encrusted jeweled flowers by George Halley, photo by Penn for Vogue, 1967

Model wearing a blouse and silk striped skirt by George Halley on a staircase in the Palazzo Gangi in Sicily, Italy, Vogue, December 1, 1967

Penelope Tree in a covered wide-falling black velvet tunic that ends with a deep sheer hem of jewel-embroidered organza by George Halley, jeweled black stockings by Hudson, photo by Richard Avedon, Vogue, October 1, 1967

Samantha Jones wearing a pink and gold print dress by George Halley, Vogue, March 1, 1967

Veruschka in a little black dress in thinnest wool crepe with slivers of brilliants for the straps by George Halley, photo by Avedon, Vogue, 1967

Cathee Dahmen in velvet dress printed with cat's eyes glistening with emeralds and ostrich feathers at the neck, cuffs and hem by George Halley, shoes by Herbert Levine, photo by Neal Barr, Harper's Bazaar, October 1968

Françoise Rubartelli in a midnight-blue silk chiffon dress swirling from a pointed bodice jewelled with blue beads and rhinestones by George Halley, coiffure by Alan of Kenneth, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, February 15, 1968

Lauren Hutton in beautiful dress of cut velvet flowers on heavy white silk with great poufed sleeves and skirt and circlet of crystal gilt curving up from the waist by George Halley, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, September 1, 1968

Model in lovely short dinner dress of organza and appliquéd with blossoms, caught with a water-green sash bow-knotted beneath a bare back by George Halley, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue, March 1, 1968

Model wearing a blue wool dress by George Halley, Vogue, February 15, 1968

Moyra Swan and Susan Blakely in romantic dresses of periwinkles and columbines gathered on pleats of silk crêpe by George Halley, shoes by Golo, photo by James Moore, Harper's Bazaar, March 1968

Paula Pritchett in short printed silk evening dress folded into pleats from a high waistband by George Halley, hair by Ara Gallant, ring by Marvella, photo by Bert Stern, Vogue US, 1968

Donna Mitchell in silk brocade empire dress crowded with cabbage roses, the bodice dazzling with flowered crystals and belted by translucent strand of beading, by George Halley, photo by James Moore, Harper's Bazaar, April 1969

Editha Dussler in Oxford-gray wool coat swinging out from small shoulders and armholes to great bias folds by George Halley, headwrap by Aadolfo, gloves by Viola Weinberger, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, September 1, 1969

Françoise Rubartelli in beautiful dress in vermillion organdie swirling with diamanté white garlands by George Halley, coiffure by Violeta of Norbert, photo by Gianni Penati, Vogue, January 1, 1969