Ahead of the anticipated premiere of Netflix's biopic series Halston, relatives of the late fashion icon are speaking out against the drama. The five-part miniseries stars Ewan McGregor as Halston, the man who "changed America's fashion forever." Executive produced by Ryan Murphy as part of his multi-million dollar partnership with Netflix, Halston follows the rise and fall of the fashion designer during the 1960s and 70s. The series features notable celebrities who were known as Halston's muses, including Liza Minelli (played by Krysta Rodriguez) and Elsa Peretti (Rebecca Davan).
In real life, Roy Halston Frowick began his career as a milliner and was known for creating the iconic pillbox hat Jacqueline Kennedy wore to the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. Halston later transitioned into designing minimalist yet luxurious clothes for his high-end clientele. In a pre-internet era, Halston achieved worldwide recognition for his distinct style. He died at 57 due to AIDS-related complications. The upcoming Netflix series centers on Halston's glamorous life in all its glory and dangerous excess.
Unfortunately, Netflix's depiction of Halston does not sit well with the designer's relatives. On Monday, The Halston Archives, headed by his niece, Lesley Frowick, released a statement via PR Newswire addressing the upcoming series. The family said that neither Netflix nor the show's producers consulted them while creating the show. According to them, McGregor's portrayal of the famed designer is "an inaccurate, fictionalized account."
The HALSTON Archives and Family were not consulted on the upcoming Netflix series involving an inaccurate, fictionalized account of famed fashion designer, "Halston." The HALSTON Archives remains the only definitive and comprehensive source on the man and his legacy as the personally appointed custodian of his private papers and effects.
Clearly, Halston's bereaved family members want audiences to know that the upcoming Netflix limited series does not have their seal of approval. The statement concluded by announcing plans to launch scholarships and other nonprofits to honor Halston's legacy in the world of fashion and design. Meanwhile, the streaming giant and Halston showrunners have not yet commented on the family's statement.
Interestingly, Halston isn't the first biopic about an acclaimed fashion designer to have angered living family members. In 2018, the Versaces denied any participation in FX's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. More recently, the Gucci clan also criticized Ridley Scott's upcoming film House of Gucci starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver.
While it's too soon to weigh in on Netflix's Halston ahead of its release, the trailer does provide some insight as to the lengths Murphy and McGregor took to portray the late fashion visionary. The preview included a boastful display of fashion pieces as well as Halston's involvement with sex and drugs. Whether the miniseries will focus on the dangerous mix of ambition and fame or celebrate the man's legacy, viewers will have a few more days to find out. Halston starts streaming on Netflix on May 14.
Source: PR Newswire