1990 Bill Blass Persimmon Silk Crepe Column Gown w Asymmetrical Neckline Detail
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (US)
- Style:Classic Chic (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5018144802
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: Gresham, OR
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1958 Pauline Lake Coral Silk & Gold Lame Imported Fabric Strapless SarongLocated in Gresham, ORGorgeous custom made 1958 Pauline Lake coral silk and gold lame, imported fabric, strapless sarong-style sun dress. Boned strapless bodice with pleated s...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Yves Saint Laurent - Rive Gauche Red Iridescent Pouf DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Yves Saint Laurent - Rive Gauche red iridescent sharkskin silk and acetate bubble dress with voluminous skirt and large bow at front. Scoop Ballet-style neckline and fitted lon...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Gianni Versace Vivid Red Wool Wrap-Style Coat Dress W/ Attached FoulardBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Gresham, ORA beautiful 1980s Gianni Versace red wool jersey, wrap-style coat dress with dolman sleeves, hidden buttons at front and an attached foulard. ...Category
1980s Italian Informal Dresses
- 1980s Pauline Trigere Rhinestone Studded Red Net Evening Gown W/ Fishtail HemBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Gresham, ORThis classic and signature Red by Pauline Trigere net gown is completely studded with rhinestones! Featuring long sheer sleeves that button at the wrist and zips up the back. This s...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Zandra Rhodes Scarlet Silk Printed BoHo Gown with Beadwork EmbellishmentBy Zandra RhodesLocated in Gresham, ORA fantastic scarlet red 1980s Zandra Rhodes (no label) drop-waist, 1920s-inspired silk evening gown with Zandra's signature "embroidery" and peacock feather print with beading and rh...Category
1980s British Evening Gowns
- 1970s Zandra Rhodes Red Silk Chiffon Print Boho London Maxi Dress w Bead DetailsBy Zandra RhodesLocated in Gresham, OR1970s Zandra Rhodes Red Silk Chiffon Print Boho London Maxi Dress w Bead Details. Victorian revival style typical of Ms. Rhodes classics. Sheer black net décolletage, shawl-style dr...Category
1970s English Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Runway Yves Saint Laurent S/S 1989 Lipstick Red Rayon Jersey Strapless 80s DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CASensational vintage YSL Rive Gauche spring / summer 1989 runway lipstick red rayon jersey strapless 1980s dress ! The same dress was featured on the runway in black. Sash at side wai...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Worlds End orange cotton jersey toga dress with Henri Matisse print, A / W 1982By Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB- Designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren - Henri Matisse - Femmes et Singes (1954) printed in brown 'Buffalo / Nostalgia of Mud' Autumn-W...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Red jersey cocktail dress with rhinestone and snake brooch Roberto Cavalli NEWBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRRed jersey cocktail dress with rhinestone and snake brooch. Fabric composition: 6% stretch, 94% rayon. Raw-cut on the edge. Adjustable shoulder strap. SIZE M / NEW with tagCategory
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Burgundy cocktail dress with leather belt Valentino Miss V NEW with tagBy Valentino Miss VLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBurgundy cocktail dress with black ribbons piping and leather belt. Shoulder-pad. Fabric composition: 70% acetate, 30% silk. Lining: 63% acetate, 37% rayon. New with tag. Zip in th...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Azzedine Alaia red open knit fishtail evening dress, ss 1996By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBPresenting an alluring Azzedine Alaia red ribbed knit evening dress, a true masterpiece from the spring-summer 1996 collection. This dress showcases the designer's unparalleled craft...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage 1920s Silk Dress with Decorative BeltLocated in London, GBA pretty 1920s silk dress with a decorative belt. This 1920s silk dress has a drop waist with frill along the hip line. The belt ties at the waist w...Category
1920s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns