Bill Blass 1990s Does 1960s Size 6 Beaded Silk + Wool A Line Dress + Jacket Set
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)Shoulder to Hem: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU66220376452
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Phenomenal 1960s Navy Blue + Red + White A - Line Dress & Cropped Bolero JacketLocated in San Diego, CASensational vintage demi couture navy blue, red and white cotton A-line dress and cropped short sleeve bolero jacket! Features mod flowers throughout both pieces. Full teal zipper up...Category
1960s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Alberta Ferretti 80s Early Vintage Charcoal Gray Vintage Tuxedo Jumpsuit OnesieBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible and rare early 80s vintage ALBERTA FERRETTI charcoal gray jumpsuit, from one of Ferretti's first collections! Lightweight soft gray wool, with an attached light gray silk ...Category
1980s Italian Jumpsuits
- Ted Lapidus Haute Couture 1970s Nautical Ivory Anchor Vintage Silk Skirt SuitBy Ted Lapidus Haute Couture, Ted LapidusLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible and rare late 70s TED LAPIDUS Haute Couture ivory / off white nautical sailor silk skirt suit ! Tailored blazer features gold embroidered anchor on left breast pocket. Lap...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- 1960s Mardi Gras Gold Silk Lame Colorful Shift Dress and Jacket, Vintage 60s SetBy Mardi GrasLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1960s MARDI GRAS gold lame silk colorful shift dress and jacket ensemble! Features a gold silk lame, with colorful silk tile prints in purple, blu...Category
1960s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Beautiful 1950s Caryle Light Pink + Silver Fit n' Flare Silk Dress and BoleroLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful vintage 50s CARYLE light pale pink and silver silk taffeta fit n' flare cocktail dress and lightweight metallic lurex cropped bolero jacket! Dress features a fitted bodice ...Category
1950s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980s Tarquin Ebker Silver Grey + Black Silk Palazzo Pants and Star Sequin TopBy Tarquin EbkerLocated in San Diego, CARare, and nothing short of amazing 80s TARQUIN EBKER Couture Avant Garde ensemble! Features slinky silk wide leg high waisted color block palazzo trousers. Right leg is silver / gray...Category
1980s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Louis Vuitton Dark Gray Skirt Suit with Velvet Trim F/W 2005 Size 38FRBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLLouis Vuitton - Runway collection skirt suit Fall/Winter 2005. This dark gray wool suit is trimmed with velvet and a powerful statement! . Simple yet dynamic in structure and eleg...Category
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits
- Gianfrance Ferre Studio Vintage Dress with Trousers for Evening Day or BeachBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NLIs this an exceptional cocktaildress, an evening dress or a beachdress? You can wear it any time! Both dress and trousers fully lined. Worn by a long model with size 38 because of her length. Trousers size EU 38 (more like a 36) Dress size EU 36 Gianfranco Ferre...Category
1990s Italian Twin Sets
- CHANEL boutique Suit white cotton jacket and skirt late 80sBy Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Rubiera, REChanel Boutique vintage suit from the late 80s White piqué cotton Double-breasted jacket with buttons covered in the same fabric. Incrustations of sequins and lace flowers. Silk lin...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Gianni Versace S/S 1991 Pop Art Baroque Print Swimsuit Bodysuit & Skirt SetBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Chicago, ILFrom Gianni Versace’s Spring/Summer 1991 “Pop Art” Collection, this rare set features the striking color palette and patterns the collection was famous for. Naomi Campbell graced the...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Alexander McQueen F/W 2006 "The Widows Of Culloden" Wool Jacket & Skirt Suit SetBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Alexander McQueen for the fall/winter 2006 collection; look #15. This gorgeous speckled wool blend suit features a high waisted skirt with an asymmetric back pleated deta...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirt Suits
- Thierry Mugler Peplum Skirt SuitBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Los Angeles, CACreme peplum skirt suit. Collared. Shoulder pads. Front snap closures on blazer. Skirt is wrap style. *Condition: Great vintage condition. Chipped ...Category
1980s Skirt Suits