Bill Blass for Bond Street Trench
View Similar Items
Bill Blass for Bond Street Trench
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 39 in (99.06 cm)Marked Size: 6 (US)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU130301441158
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.
- John Galliano Fitted Grid Pattern Wool CoatBy John GallianoLocated in New York, NYJohn Galliano, black and ivory, fitted wool coat, having a grid pattern in an ivory tone mohair on a black wool ground. Coat details include, medium ...Category
1990s French Coats
- Chloe Double Breasted Pin Stripe CoatBy ChloéLocated in New York, NYChloe, mauve tone, wool, pin stripe, fitted, double breasted coat, having an exaggerated, wide lapel collar, and slanted, flap pocket detail. Back of coat h...Category
1980s French Coats
- Yves Saint Laurent Russian Collection Corduroy CoatBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche, rust tone, corduroy, Russian Collection, Cossack style coat, having a slightly fitted semi dropped waist bodice, and...Category
1970s French Coats
- Yves Saint Laurent Wool Coat with Plaid InteriorBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche, black, wool coat, having a black and white paid lining. Coat has a small pointed collar with a single closure at the neck; a simple straight line sil...Category
1970s French Coats
- Tom Ford for Gucci Runway Gold Coat with Leather DetailBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in New York, NYTom Ford for Gucci, fitted, gold ottoman, coat having gold leather details. Leather details include a pointed collar, edging along the hem, front and cuff...Category
Early 2000s Italian Coats and Outerwear
- Yves saint Laurent Wool Cape with Mandarin CollarBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent, chocolate brown, wool cape , having a mandarin collar and passementerie frog closures. Cape extends to the ankles.Category
1970s French Capes
- Vintage Rare Pierre Cardin Boutique Navy Blue Trench CoatBy Pierre CardinLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLBeautiful vintage circa 1980 Pierre Cardin Boutique classic trench coat. Made in France. Navy blue corduroy features the traditional storm flap ...Category
1980s French Trench Coats
- SAINT LAURENT By HEDI SLIMANE F/W 2015 Runway CoatBy Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BESAINT LAURENT by HEDI SLIMANE Rare F/W 2015 Runway Coat With Mink Collar Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: F/W 2015 Fabric: Wool / Mink Color: Black Siz...Category
2010s French Coats
- Vintage GUY LAROCHE 80s Ski Hooded PARKA Gray Red Jacket Down Feather Coat XLBy Guy LarocheLocated in Asheville, NCGuy Laroche, 80's Designer Vintage, Paris/New York, Made in Taiwan, Polyester/Cotton Shell, Down, Feathers and Polyester Filler, Dual Metal Zipper, Button and Drawstring Tie Closures...Category
1980s Taiwanese Anoraks and Parkas
- Vintage 1960's Black Beaded and Rhinestone Floral Evening CapeLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis divine 1960's black shoulder cape, decorated with black sequins and beads, and accented by large claw set iridescent rhinestones, in a trailing floral pattern, is just the perfe...Category
1960s European Capes
- Vintage 1960's Yves Saint Laurent Wool Coat UK 8 US 4By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Cheltenham, GBA rare and unique piece to behold, this original vintage 1960's Yves Saint Laurent Coat, Rendered in a cream wool and lined in silk, is just the piece to add to your couture collecti...Category
1960s Coats
- Vintage 1960's Christian Dior Wool Coat UK 14-18 US 10-14By Christian DiorLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis rare 1960's Christian Dior mid-season red wool coat, is a rare piece to behold and the perfect statement piece for your transitional wardrobe. The V shaped neckline of the coa...Category
1960s Coats