1970s Bill Blass Neon Pink and Purple Sheer Stripe Dress 10

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1970s Bill Blass Neon Pink and Purple Sheer Stripe Dress 10

About the Item

Absolutely striking bright, neon pink and purple dress by Bill Blass. The dress is maxi floor length, has long sleeves, and a round jewel collar. The dress has a pinched blouson waist and a keyhole opening with button at the back of the neck. The dress is composed of a sheer and solid striped fabric printed with with pink with purple stripes and abstract lines. The skirt of the fabric is mostly purple, with pink stripes in between. The sleeves have a wide purple stripe at the cuff. Bill Glass grew up in Depression - era Indiana, where he sought refuge from the bitterness of life in cinemas. Blass looked up to the silver screen and found inspiration in the leading ladies and their fantastical costumes. Glass studied at Parsons School of Art and Design in New York, funded by his winnings from a Chicago Tribune dress design contest, and later by his commissioned sketches for Seventh Avenue garment houses. Glass’ career and education were interrupted by WWII, where he was assigned to US 603rd Camouflage Battalion, a part of the famous “Ghost Army” Allied collaboration known for their creative deception techniques. After the war, Blass remained in New York, working under Anne Klein, Anna Miller, and Maurice Rentner. In 1970, Blass purchased and renamed Renter’s firm. Blass achieved internationally recognition when he joined the American team of designers -consisting of Stephen Burrows, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, and Anne Klein with Donna Karan- that was to face off against the French team of designers -Yves Saint Laurent, Emanuel Ungaro, Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, and Hubert de Givenchy- in the infamous “Battle of Versailles” fashion show. Blass was well known for his couture take on sportswear. He would make traditional cuts in luxurious fabrics, with incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail. His opulent sportswear was unparalleled, and in pairing a cashmere cardigan with a silk gown, he found new innovative ways to mix it into his formalwear. Glass was also known to be very hands on with his business, lending his pieces for benefits, and touring and making appearances in department stores that were putting out his new lines. Clients include: Barbara Steissand, Barbara Walters, the Barbaras Bush, Happy Rockefeller, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Brooke Astor. Modern US Size 10- Medium Bust-38" Waist 28" Hip 38" Sleeve Length-23"

Designer:
Bill Blass
Brand:
Bill Blass
Dimensions:
Length: 59.5 in (151.13 cm)Marked Size: 10 See measurements (US)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1970-1979
Condition:
Seller Location:
Houston, TX
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU10323720003

Shop All Bill Blass

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.