Bill Blass Vintage Black + White Lace Strapless Cocktail Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Style:Gianni Versace (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sparks, NV
- Reference Number:
Bill Blass
Venerated designer and philanthropist Bill Blass helped define style for women of means during the late 20th century and inspired generations of fashion industry professionals and enthusiasts all over the world.
Blass designed garments that saw a playful mingling of notes both subdued and bold, and his clothes were comfortable, easy to wear and sexy. The Indiana native was influenced by the likes of Coco Chanel and became famous for refined, simple looks that appealed to prominent women such as Brooke Astor and Gloria Vanderbilt.
Blass didn’t endeavor to produce showstoppers — he worked with quality materials, and his modern designs boasted meticulous tailoring. He glamourized sportswear with chic lines and dramatic colors, and by way of subtle, graceful ruffles or a tasteful application of sequins, he introduced modest flair to his day dresses and evening dresses. Vintage Bill Blass clothing is just as relevant today as it was during the height of his career.
Blass, who spent his spare time sketching red-carpet looks in his school notebooks as a kid, left home at 17 and moved to New York City, where he trained at the McDowell School of Fashion. After finishing design school, he joined the U.S. Army and fought in World War II. When the war was over, Blass returned to Manhattan. In 1946 he joined the fashion house Anna Miller and Co., where he worked as a design assistant for Anna Miller and her brother Maurice Rentner.
Anna Miller and Co. merged with Maurice Rentner, Ltd. in 1959, and Blass became the company's head designer. There he quickly built a name for himself and was soon a staple of the postwar fashion scene, impressing even the fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar at the time, Diana Vreeland. Blass expanded into designing menswear and was the first couture designer in America to create a collection for men.
In 1970, Blass gained ownership of Rentner and renamed the company after himself. Blass employed a licensing-based business strategy, and soon his name marked a full array of accessories and apparel, including Bill Blass jeans, watches, home furnishings, eyewear and luggage. Blass's renown and success expanded considerably, as fashion bearing his name became more accessible than it had ever been.
Throughout his life, Blass made considerable contributions to the AIDS care center at Cornell Medical Center and to the New York Public Library. In 1962, he became a founding member of the Council of Fashion Designs of America (CFDA) trade association, which promotes American designers around the world. The CFDA presented Blass with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987, and he was the first recipient of their Humanitarian Leadership Award in 1996.
Find vintage Bill Blass fashion on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Sparks, NV
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Vintage 1960s Silk Cocktail Dress with Ruffled HemLocated in Sparks, NVChic black silk cocktail dress with a ruffled hem and dolman sleeves. Details: Fully Lined Back Metal Zip and Hook Closure Estimated Size: Medium ...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Arnold Scaasi Vintage Colorful Metallic Lamé Silk Evening Gown Dress, 1980sBy Scaasi BoutiqueLocated in Sparks, NVIncredible vintage metallic lame dress by Arnold Scaasi with a high low hemline and open back with chain detail. Petal shaped flap sleeves and trop...Category
1970s American Evening Gowns
- Krizia Vintage Braided Silk Bodice Black Formal Maxi DressBy KriziaLocated in Sparks, NVSimple but chic black maxi dress by Krizia featuring a braided silk bodice, sweetheart bustline, and spaghetti straps. 20" Front slit. DETAILS Zip + Snap Closure Fully lined i...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Maxi Dress
- Richilene Vintage 1970s 70s Brown Silk + Sequin Sheer Maxi Dress/ GownBy RichileneLocated in Sparks, NVGorgeous 1970s brown sequin vintage maxi dress in silk and tulle. Long sheer sleeves with zip closure at the cuffs. Rear zip and hook closure. Partially lined. By Richilene. This ...Category
1970s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace Couture Vintage 1990s Draped Medusa Button Black Cocktail DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Sparks, NVAmazing and collectible 1990s asymmetric black dress by Gianni Verace Couture. Iconic Medusa button on one shoulder and Grecian style draping. A rare piece! Details Unlined Si...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- Vintage 1950's 50s Black Ruched Jersey Bodice Party Dress with a Drop WaistLocated in Sparks, NVSimple but chic little black party dress from the 1950's. This dress features a jersey knit ruched bodice, drop waist, sweetheart bustline, 3/4 lengt...Category
1950s American Evening Dresses
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford G Buckle Purple Knit Sleeveless Cutout DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting two-in-one, this dress can be worn with either an exposed back or a plunging neckline. Sexy and versatile, this dress represents one of Tom Ford's most popular and iconic ...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Leather Strap Black Knit Runway DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a form-fitting knit Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. This dress debuted on the Spring/Summer 1998 runway as look 5. Constructed of black knit viscose, this long sleeve d...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Knit Hook Closure Runway Black Knit Dress SetBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a slinky hook and eye closure accented sweater dress set designed by Tom Ford for Gucci's Spring/Summer 2002 collection. This set debuted as look number 23 on Erin Wasson on the Spring/Summer 2002 runway and was seen on Debra Messing at the 2002 Screen Actor's Guild Awards and in the March 2002 issue of L'Uomo Vogue...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Mid-Late 1990s Gianni Versace Couture Black Dropped Hem Bias-Cut Wiggle Gown LBDBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a vintage midi Gianni Versace dress, designed by Gianni Versace. This is the little black dress your wardrobe is missing. Simple and classy, th...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- F/W 1991 Gianni Versace Couture Runway Black Stretch Bouclé Wool Mini Dress LBDBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a runway-ready little black dress designed by Gianni Versace for his iconic Fall/Winter 1991 collection. This piece debuted as runway look number 27 on Marpessa Hennink an...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Rhinestone Black Silver Medusa Sleeveless DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black sleeveless Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1996 collection, this knit dress is finished with silver stitching and ...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses