Style briefs: Zanini takes helm at faltering Halston

Katherine Dean READ TIME: 3 MIN.

Halston is getting its newest makeover from designer Marco Zanini, who is taking over creative director duties from the label famously associated with the party crowd at Studio 54 in the 1970s.

Zanini knows a thing or two about dressing the glitterati: He's been the designer for Versace's women's collections working alongside Donatella Versace. Prior to that, he was an assistant to Domenico Dolce of Dolce & Gabbana.

"The Halston brand has always evoked the notion of glamour, elegance and timeless modernity," said Zanini in a statement. "I have long admired the brand and am honored to be part of the team as we redefine and recapture the essence of one of the great names in the fashion industry."

Roy Halston Frowick, who is credited with putting a pillbox hat on Jackie Kennedy, died in 1990, and since then the company has gone through a series of lead designers including Randolph Duke, Kevan Hall and Bradley Bayou, with varying degrees of success. The label has been largely absent from the catwalk and red carpet since 2005.

Recently there has been an interest in reviving Halston, though, with Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon joining the company's board of directors, stylist Rachel Zoe signing on as a creative adviser and the Weinstein Company leading a group of investors that acquired the company in March.

This summer, keep your face sweat-free

Notice how the stars never seem to sweat?

Joanna Schlip, the makeup artist for Physicians Formula who has worked with Eva Longoria, Scarlett Johansson, Ellen Pompeo, Laura Linney, Hilary Duff and Sheryl Crow, says she employs a few tricks on sticky summer days to keep her faces looking crisp and cool:
Schlip applies a bit of clear, solid anti-perspirant to the skin before applying makeup, concentrating on the upper lip, forehead and hairline. You'll keep a matte appearance throughout the day and your makeup won't move.

Mineral makeup with silicones make it sweat-resistant because they help form a protective barrier on the skin's surface. (Physician's Formula makes a talc-free mineral foundation.)

The type of paper used for toilet-seat covers in public restrooms is similar to expensive blotting papers, says Schlip. She stocks up on the covers and tears them into tiny pieces to keep in her makeup bag.

Forgo lipstick or gloss that can become a melted mess in favor of Jell-O. Dip a cotton swab into the powder packet of cherry Jell-O and apply it to lips for a long-lasting, sweat-proof stain. Remember to use the swab instead of your fingers - which also would get stained.

How to match that `Hairspray' look

Hair spray largely was moved to the back of the beauty shelf in the modern age of gels, serums and pomades, but it's still out there - and not just in the new John Travolta movie.

Experts at Sebastian, dubbed the official hair spray of "Hairspray," came up with tips on how to achieve wearable, updated versions of two of the movie characters' retro styles. They all, of course, use hair spray:

Link Larkin (Zac Efron)

Link's Elvis-style pompadour starts with a haircut that has a short clippered back and sides. The top is combed straight back and cut with texturizing shears.

Saturate wet hair with styling product - it could be a gel, wax or spray. Dry the hair, molding the shape with the hands. Finish with a final spritz of hair spray.

Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes)

Blow dry hair with a large round brush. Set top with rollers sprayed with hair spray. After taking out rollers, brush the length into a soft ponytail and secure with a barrette and hair spray.


by Katherine Dean

Katherine Dean is first and foremost your favorite EDGE contributor and Assistant Editor in Grooming, but by day she is a Spanish Interpreter for the schools. She lives with one roommate (Sarah) and one demonic feline (O'Malley). She hopes one day to find fashionable shoes that are comfortable, a pony to ride to work and a cabana boy named Raul to do her biding.

Read These Next