Bill Blass Silk Lame Op-Art Leopard Print Long Skirt and Suit Jacket, 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 Modern (US)
- Style:Animal (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU503992633
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: Gresham, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 1950 Galanos Olive & Mustard Color Fine Wool Boucle Dress & Cape EnsembleBy James Galanos for Amelia Gray, James GalanosLocated in Gresham, ORAn exquisite 1950s James Galanos olive green and mustard plaid fine wool boucle woven dress and cape ensemble: Dress is long-sleeved and cut on the bias with a gathered boatneck nec...Category
1950s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980 Black Knit Jumpsuit w/ Structured Rhinestone Embellished Shoulder ArrowsLocated in Gresham, ORA fabulous 1980s black rayon knit jumpsuit with stovepipe legs padded structured shoulders that are heavily embellished with rhinestone arrows traveling over shoulder yolk and down u...Category
1980s American Jumpsuits
- 1960 Vivid Purple Velvet Jumpsuit w/ Gold & Silver Mod Metal Stud EmbellishmentsLocated in Gresham, ORA 1960s Futura Couture vivid purple rayon velvet jumpsuit with gold and silver toned half sphere stud embellishments at neckline and cuffs. Wide flared ...Category
1960s American Jumpsuits
- 1980 Gianni Versace Mixed Tweed Skirt Suit w/ Structured Shoulder SilhouetteBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Gianni Versace mixed wool tweed skirt suit with softly structured padded shoulder silhouette. Subtle touches of olive, burgundy and teal. P...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1940s Creed of London Finely Tailored Couture Royal Blue Skirt Suit w/ CapletLocated in Gresham, ORA beautifully tailored 1940s Creed of London couture 3-piece royal blue wool skirt suit with caplet. Silk crepe lined and fabulous inscribed buttons. Caplet has a velvet Chesterfield...Category
1940s English Skirt Suits
- 1960 Sophie-Saks Fifth Avenue Black Mod Babydoll Dress & Bolero Jacket w/ LaceBy Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in Gresham, OR1960 Sophie-Saks Fifth Avenue Mod Babydoll Dress and Bolero Jacket in Black Wool & Jeweled Lace Trim: A charming Empire waist babydoll dress with a full-skirt mini silhouette trimmed...Category
1960s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1970's Mila Schon Black Wool and Velvet Skirt SuitBy Mila SchonLocated in Toronto, OntarioSmart 1970's black Mila Schon skirt suit. Wool with jet black velvet lapels and side panels on the skirt. Two front buttons on the single breasted jacket. Elastic waist skirt. Excell...Category
1970s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1970's Bus Stop by Lee Bender Navy Crepe Floral SetBy Bus Stop by Lee BenderLocated in Toronto, OntarioRare British Biba era crepe 2 piece skirt set. Lee Bender for Bus Stop designed a line that was fashionable and perfect for London girls trying to impress i...Category
1970s British Skirt Suits
- Late 1960's Annacat Purple Ombre EnsembleBy AnnaCatLocated in Toronto, OntarioInteresting late 1960's jacket and pant ensemble from the legendary London Boutique Annacat. The beautiful midnight blue to purple ombre is featured throu...Category
1960s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Red Valentino Palazzo JumpsuitBy REDValentinoLocated in London, GBBrand New - Red Valentino Palazzo Jumpsuit Black, sleeveless jumpsuit designed with wide, palazzo straight cut leg. Featuring round neckline and ruffle detailing to the shoulders. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Jumpsuits
- 1960s Nina Ricci Black Cloque Silk EnsembleBy Nina RicciLocated in Toronto, OntarioElegant 1960's Nina Ricci cloque (blister effect) silk dress and matching jacket with cream colored silk lining. The darling dress has a fitted bodice with an empire waist. It is the...Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980's Yohji Yamamoto Black Wool Suit with Net PocketsBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery chic Yohji Yamamoto power suit from the 1980s. The long fitted blazer is double breasted and has black net patch pockets on the front at the hips. The pants are high waisted and...Category
1980s Japanese Trouser Pant Suits