1990s Bill Blass Couture Red Thigh Slit Full Length Sleeveless Asymmetric Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: US8 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear from age and use throughout, including small sark mark at back closure.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388215636452
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: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- F/W 1997 Gianni Versace Couture Runway Red Colorblock Sleeveless DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a color block sleeveless Gianni Versace dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From Fall/Winter 1997 collection, this dress debuted on the sea...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2003 Roberto Cavalli Red Chinoiserie Print Silk Slip DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful red chinoiserie print Roberto Cavalli dress. From the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, a similar dress in the same pattern debuted in the finale of the runway presentation. Kim Kardashian wore a version of this gorgeous Roberto Cavalli Cheongsam dress...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1998 Gianni Versace by Donatella Red Padded Strap Sleeveless GownBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous vibrant red Gianni Versace Couture gown, designed by Donatella Versace. From 1998, this column gown features a high square neckline and low semi-exposed back. T...Category
1990s Italian Formal Gowns
- F/W 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Red Silk Satin Corset Belted Runway DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning ruby red silk satin corset Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2003 collection, this dress debuted as look number 32 on the season's runway ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Red Zip Medusa DressBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a bright red zip up Gianni Versace dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From 1996, this dress features a wide scoop neckline with zippered pockets at the the hips and a larg...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2002 Gianni Versace by Donatella Red Lace Up Backless Cocktail DressBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a red hot lace-up Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Donatella Versace. This bright red dress was released with the Spring/Summer 2002 collection, with similar garments...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Christian Dior by John Galliano red wool crepe dress with mink fur trim, fw 1999By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior winter dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Red wool crepe ▪ Ribbed wool trim ▪ Mink fur collar with knot detail ▪ Large wood buttons at ...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Iconic Norman Norell Neon Tangerine with self-tie button-front dressBy Norman NorellLocated in New York, NYThis wonderful timeless Iconic Norman Norell fully lined dress is in a neon tangerine hue. The lining is in silk of the same hue. The dress has a attached self-tie belt which measure...Category
1970s American Casual Dresses
- Ted Lapidus 1970s Flame Red Haute Couture Silk DressBy Ted LapidusLocated in London, GBThis Ted Lapidus dress is circa 1977 and is made entirely by hand; this label is probably the haute couture label. The beautiful flame red, raw silk georgette fabric is both striking...Category
1970s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Quilted Magenta Satin Brocade GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage Late 1960s and early 1970s Magenta pink satin brocade gown . Bright pink textured and quilted satin fabric. Slim fitted style with spaghetti straps, and a long straight ski...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Rare Yves Saint Laurent "Artist Smock" Large Bow Tie DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYThis wonderfully Rare signature vintage Yves Saint Laurent's '60's Red and Black smock dress with extended high neckline tie can be worn as a dress or with leggings as a tunic...Category
1960s French Day Dresses
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld red cashmere wool and faux fur dress, fw 2010By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel red cashmere wool knee-length dress ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Faux 'fantasy' fur skirt and sleeves ▪ Funnel neck backed with brown lambskin leather ▪ Two front pockets...Category
2010s French Day Dresses