We look at how much of the series is real and how much a synthetic blend. Now, the designer’s glamorous, turbulent life is the subject of a five-part Netflix biopic that reunites the star ( Ewan McGregor) and producer (Christine Vachon) of Velvet Goldmine, another tale of ’70s excess, with most episodes written by Glee co-creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. Before Tom Ford, there was Halston, sharing the same model-like looks, penchant for black turtlenecks and black sunglasses, exquisite taste, flair for creating beautifully cut clothes that expertly walk the tightrope between sophisticated and sexy, and determination to pursue world domination through branding, slapping his name on everything from lingerie and perfume to luggage and bedding (though it’s now commonplace, Halston was the first high-end designer to pioneer such diversification).īut while Ford has maintained a steady grip on his business and personal life, Halston got sucked into the “divine decadence” of the ’70s, embracing a party-hearty lifestyle that led to him neglecting the day-to-day workload and resulted in his eventually losing control of his company and even the use of his name when his corporate backers’ patience became exhausted.