1980s Bill Blass Leopard Brocade Lamé Cigarette Pants
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Style:Glam (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU505614302
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.
- 1960 Oscar de la Renta Silk Print Chiffon Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit W/ Silk OverlayBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Gresham, OR1960 Oscar de La Renta, Klimt-inspired silk print palazzo pant jumpsuit with silk chiffon overlay: A fabulous mod print that evokes Gustav Klimt is layered over a silk twill jumpsuit...Category
1960s American Wide Leg Pants
- 1980s Laurel Western-Inspired Print Black Denim Pants JeansBy Escada Margaretha LeyLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Laurel Western-Inspired Print Black Denim Pants Jeans: New, never worn. Tapered leg with high waist and full cut plus a bit of stretch for curvy girls. Four pockets with gold g...Category
1980s Italian Jeans
- 1980s Gianni Versace Japanese-Inspired Pleated Silk Chiffon Palazzo PantsBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Gresham, ORAn avant garde 1980s Gianni Versace Japanese-Inspired pleated silk chiffon, cropped palazzo pant with textured rayon band or girdle of sorts that wrap...Category
1980s Italian Pleated Pants
- Luis Estévez 60s Brown Chiffon Cocktail Dress w/ Rhinestone TrimBy Luis EstévezLocated in Gresham, ORA wonderful60s Luis Estévez chiffon cocktail dress with voluminous sheer chiffon sleeves caught up at the cuff with rhinestones! Double layered chiffon over an underskirt flutters a...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1950 Gold Lame ShowGirl Belted Trench Coat W/Notched Collar Size 6Located in Gresham, ORA fabulous 1950s "Harriette's - Las Vegas" Showgirl belted gold lame trench coat with a wide notched lapel. Original matching belt. Lined in gold satin. Darted at front and back wais...Category
1950s American Trench Coats
- 1960 Harold Levine Olive Silk Satin & Peach Silk Chiffon Empire Corset GownBy Harold LevineLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Harold Levine Empire-waist olive green silk satin bodice gown with peach silk chiffon flowing skirt. Inner corset structure in bodice. Velvet ribbon straps added but could poss...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli Runway Vintage Straight-Leg Pants with Tiger PatternBy Roberto CavalliLocated in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NLThese rare pants with iconic print made by Roberto Cavalli for his FW 2000 show is commonly referred to as the "tiger print." It is a bold, graphic pattern featuring black and brown ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jeans
- Jacqumus 2018 Runway JumpsuitBy JacquemusLocated in Toronto, CAThe 2018 jumpsuit crafted by Jacquemus is a harmonious fusion of contemporary fashion and the idyllic charm of the South of France. Drawing inspiration from the region's sun-drenched...Category
2010s Belgian Jumpsuits
- BRUNELLO CUCINELLI taupe SATIN-CREPE Pants 42 MBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Brunello Cucinelli pants in taupe and black acetate (61%) and viscose (39%). Features an elastic waistband, straight-leg and pockets on the side and back. Unlined. Hav...Category
2010s Pants
- CHRISTIAN DIOR brown beige wool 2020 PLAID CHECK WIDE LEG Pants 36 XSBy Christian DiorLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Christian Dior wide-leg pants in brown and ivory check virgin wool (100%). Features two patch pockets on the front and two with buttons in the back. Closes with a conc...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pants
- AKRIS PUNTO camel & multicolor cotton CROPPED WIDE LEG Pants 38 MBy Akris PuntoLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic AKRIS Punto cropped pants in camel, orange, turquoise and purple cotton (46%), polyester (37%), acrylic (13%), nylon (3%) and viscose (1%). Feature a high-waist silhou...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pants
- BRUNELLO CUCINELLI burgundy linen 2021 MONILI BELTED Pants 38 XSBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Brunello Cucinelli pants in rust linen (65%), cotton (34%) and elastane (1%). Feature a high-waisted paperbag waist with tapered legs, pleats, two slant pockets and a ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pants