1980s Bill Blass Navy Blue and White Vintage 80s One Piece Swimsuit Bodysuit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU66219413742
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.
- 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Ivory + Gold Vintage 80s One Piece SwimsuitBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful and classic early 1980s YVES SAINT LAURENT ivory / off-white and gold seashell print one piece halter swimsuit / bodysuit! Features a flattering ruched waist that hides any...Category
1980s French Swimwear
- 1980s Bill Blass Sz 12 14 Zebra Print Black White One Piece Swimsuit / BodysuitBy Bill BlassLocated in San Diego, CARoar in this 80s vintage BILL BLASS zebras animal print black and white one piece swimsuit / bodysuit ! Features a high neck for extra support wih an open back. Great for the beach, ...Category
1980s American Swimwear
- Amazing Vintage Bill Blass Royal Blue Avant Garde One Piece Swimsuit BodysuitBy Bill BlassLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible vintage BILL BLASS royal blue one piece swimsuit or bodysuit! Features attached 'ropes' in the same fabric drape across the front and back bust. Criss cross back hooks clo...Category
Late 20th Century American Swimwear
- Lanvin 2011 Alber Elbaz Tan Caramel One Shoulder Grecian Bodysuit or SwimsuitBy Alber Elbaz, Lanvin ParisLocated in San Diego, CAExceptional LANVIN by ALBER ELBAZ Grecian inspired one shoulder bodysuit or one piece swimsuit! Wonderful draping throughout the bodice, w/ a ruched waistband. Simply step into this ...Category
2010s Italian Swimwear
- Vintage Moschino 1990s Black and White Velour Pearl Encrusted Bodysuit SwimsuitBy MoschinoLocated in San Diego, CASexy 90s MOSCHINO black velour bodysuit, encrusted with white pearls! Features a soft crushed velour that stretches to fit. Flat headed pearls adorn the top portion on the front and ...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- 1970s Bill Blass Brown White One Shoulder Vintage One Piece Swimsuit BodysuitBy Bill BlassLocated in San Diego, CASexy 70s BILL BLASS chocolate brown and white one shoulder swimsuit or bodysuit! Features a sloped with stripe at waistband, and above the bust. Built i...Category
1970s American Swimwear
- Gianni Versace Mare 1992 Buffalo Bill Native American Theme Swimsuit Bodysuit 44By Gianni VersaceLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Gianni Versace for the Fall/Winter 1992 collection. This unique (possibly controversial) print was featured on button up tops for that season’s runway show and produced o...Category
1990s Italian Swimwear
- FENDI FILA Mania Zucca logo print white blue 2 piece bikini set IT38 XSBy FendiLocated in Hong Kong, NTFENDI FILA Mania Zucca logo print white blue 2 piece bikini set IT38 XS Reference: ANWU/A00590 Brand: Fendi Collection: Fila Collaboration Material: Polyester Color: Blue Patte...Category
2010s Italian Swimwear
- new VERSACE Beachwear black padded gold Medusa button triangle bikini top Sz.4 MBy VersaceLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew VERSACE Beachwear black padded gold Medusa button triangle bikini top Sz.4 M Reference: TGAS/C00671 Brand: Versace Designer: Donatella Versace Material: Polyester Color: Bla...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bikinis
- LISA MARIE FERNANDEZ white polka dot ruffle off shoulder 2pc bikini Sz. 1 SLocated in Hong Kong, NTLISA MARIE FERNANDEZ black white polka dot ruffle off shoulder 2pc bikini Sz. 1 S Reference: SNKO/A00367 Brand: Lisa Marie Fernandez Material: Nylon, Elastane Color: Black, White Pat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Swimwear
- Brigance Swimsuit CoverupLocated in Alford, MAA long beach coverup, c.1970s, by Brigance in sheer white nylon with a vertical striped pattern. Button-down shirt style with drawstring waist. Timeless. Size M.Category
Mid-20th Century American Beachwear
- Christian Dior by Galliano S/S 2004 Runway Logo Bikini Swimwear 3 Piece SetBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Naples, FLChristian Dior by John Galliano S/S 2004 Runway Logo Pearl Vinyl Embellished Bikini Swimwear Swimsuit 3 Piece Set Look 17 From 2004 Spring RTW by J...Category
Early 2000s Swimwear