1971 Bill Blass Silk & Gold Lame Oversized Paisley Print Gown w/Matching Scarf
View Similar Items
1971 Bill Blass Silk & Gold Lame Oversized Paisley Print Gown w/Matching Scarf
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good to excellent with no runs, abrasions or holes in the chiffon. There are some pulls in the gold lame paisley that are consistent with age but this is the nature of this material, regardless of age.
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU1209293576
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.
- 1970's Gold Lurex Multi-Tiered Pleated Party DressLocated in Studio City, CA1970's gold lurex multi-tiered pleated party dress. Elastic waist and double straps that connect at the top of the shoulder. In excellent condition. No size tag, please consult measu...Category
1970s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990's John Galliano Cocktail Dress w/Plunge Neckline & Dramatic SleevesBy John GallianoLocated in Studio City, CA1990's John Galliano creme silk plunge neckline cocktail dress w/dramatic sleeves. Lined at the interior with silk charmeuse. No size ...Category
1990s British Cocktail Dresses
- A Missoni Metallic Gold & Creme Striped Cocktail Dress w/Original TagsBy MissoniLocated in Studio City, CAA Missoni metallic gold and creme striped cocktail dress with a straight silhouette, thin straps and straight neckline. Features hidden side zipper, raw/unfinished bodice edge, hidde...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Pauline Trigere Black Halter Neck Evening Gown w/Waterfall Hem&Rhinestone DetailBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Studio City, CAPauline Trigere black halter neck evening gown with waterfall hem and rhinestone sunburst design. In excellent condition. No size tag so...Category
20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yves Saint Laurent Black Jersey Deep V-Neck Dress w/Deep V-Neck & Coral ClosureBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CAYves Saint Laurent black silk jersey deep v-neck cocktail dress with oversized clasped coral & rhinestone closure at front. In excellent condition. Size ta...Category
20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1970's Guy Laroche Black Lace Camisole & Chiffon Skirt EnsembleBy Guy LarocheLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Guy Laroche black metallic lace spaghetti strap camisole with black chiffon multi-layered skirt featuring a hanky hem. In excellent condition. Skirt size tag 42 - top has no t...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Moroccan Kaftan, Gold and Sage Damask Embroidered, ca. 1970sLocated in North Hollywood, CAAmazing vintage Moroccan Caftan, gold damask with gold and sage rim threads, Circa 1970's One of a kind evening antique Moorish gown. This authentic caftan has been hand-sewn from da...Category
20th Century Moroccan Caftans
$680 Sale Price20% Off - Galitizne Couture Renaissance Style Gown in Cream & Gold Metallic Brocade 1970sBy Irene GalitzineLocated in West Palm Beach, FLIrene Galitizne Couture, Renaissance style evening gown in cream & white with gold metallic brocade from the 1970s. A romantic gown with a beautiful neckline and bodice front appliqu...Category
1970s Italian Evening Gowns
- 1960s Jean Allen Gold and Cream Lurex Maxi DressBy Jean AllenLocated in London, GBThis 1960s cream and gold lurex maxi dress by Jean Allen could easily be dressed up for a formal event or worn more informally as resort wear. It is sleevel...Category
1960s British Evening Dresses
- Jeweled Raw Silk Gold Mini DressLocated in New York, NYJeweled Raw Silk Gold Mini Dress from the 1960's. Cut with a opening above bust which is held with citrine paste decorated buttons. Cool design with shaped neckline. 1960's USA. Full...Category
1960s American Mini Dress
Sold$495 - Gold coated stretch cocktail mini dress Hervé LégerBy Herve LégerLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRGold coated stretch cocktail dress (no brand tag) Zip in the middle back. Fabric composition: 90% rayon, 9% nylon, 1% spandex SIZE XSCategory
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
- Bustier mini-dress in gold brocade D&G by Dolce & GabannaBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBustier mini-dress in gold brocade. Under-bust band to structure the bustier. Authenticity hologram.Category
1990s Tunisian Mini Dress