1960s Bill Blass Yellow Three-Piece Suit with Paisley Shell
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (US)
- Style:Mid Century (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Alford, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2096196792
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: Alford, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Multi-Colored Two-Piece Tiered OutfitBy Valerie PorrLocated in Alford, MAValerie Porr produced an eponymous line of quintessentially 1970s clothing, many of the styles based on the wrap silhouette, from her Soho loft that was retailed through her neighbor...Category
1970s American Skirt Suits
- 1950s Brown Tweed SuitBy MilgrimLocated in Alford, MAImmaculate styling is the hallmark of this 1950s suit fashioned of a fine brown and white tweed wool. The long blazer-style jacket features a notched shawl collar cut diagonally at b...Category
1950s American Skirt Suits
- Valerie Porr Two-Piece Wrap DressBy Valerie PorrLocated in Alford, MAValerie Porr produced an eponymous line of quintessentially 1970s clothing, many of the styles based on the wrap silhouette, from her Soho loft that was retailed through her neighbor...Category
1980s American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Thierry Mugler Brown SuitBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Alford, MAThierry Mugler 1980s suit in brown wool gabardine features a belted jacket with silver metal stars dangling from the patch pockets and interesting inverted V detail near armhole. Dro...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Hidy Misawa Fuchsia Sparkle Print EnsembleLocated in Alford, MA1980s evening ensemble by Hidy Misawa of London, the floral print of large fuchsia bursts on a white ground, all embellished with clusters of sparkles. The...Category
1980s English Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1950s Matte Jersey and Faille Two PieceLocated in Alford, MAUnique two-piece evening outfit consisting of a black matte jersey top and a copper silk faille circle skirt. The bodice has a wide off-the-shoulder neckline trimmed in black velvet ...Category
1950s American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dany Yellow Cotton Damask Floral Suit Skirt 1970sLocated in Brindisi, BtVintage 70s skirt suit dress. Jacket and skirt, 100% cotton, yellow with damask type floral designs. Made in Italy. New with tag, there are some small spots...Category
1970s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1980s Thierry Mugler Paris Vintage Yellow Skirt & Peplum Blazer Suit W/ CutworkBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Portland, ORThis is an iconic Thierry Mugler skirt suit in a marigold or yellow marigold pique . The jacket is fitted in the dramatic Mugler peplum style and it has incredible cutwork near the shoulders on both sides and on the cuffs. The jacket is fully lined and snaps closed with interesting yellow pie shaped covers over the snaps. Labeled a size 38 with the blue Thierry Mugler...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Vintage Escada Yellow Skirt and Longline Blazer Suit Margaretha LeyBy Escada Margaretha LeyLocated in Portland, ORThis is a gorgeous vintage yellow summer weight wool Escada skirt suit with the Margaretha Ley label. This beautifully tailored jacket is a longline blazer with a pointed collar and...Category
1990s German Skirt Suits
- Oscar de la Renta Vintage Mustard Yellow Dress and Jacket Suit with BeltBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful ensemble from Oscar de la Renta that includes a 100% wool short sleeve dress with a belt and a button front jacket. The fabric is a rich shade of mustard yellow a...Category
1980s American Day Dresses
- Louis Vuitton Yellow Tweed Blazer & Skirt Set MBy Louis VuittonLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Louis Vuitton's blazer & skirt set comes in yellow tweed. The blazer has floral buttons, long sleeves, and front pockets. Team the set with smart pumps and a classy bag. Includes: B...Category
2010s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- S/S 1991 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Canary Yellow Skirt Suit DocumentedBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a bright yellow tweed Chanel skirt suit, designed by Karl Lagerfeld. The classic set was created as part of Karl's S/S 1991 collection and was notably worn by Linda Evange...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles