1990s Bill Blass Size 12 Black Crepe Keyhole Racerback Vintage 90s Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 12 (US)Shoulder to Hem: 43.5 in (110.49 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6624444111
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.
- 1990s Nicole Miller Vintage Black and White ' Chess ' Embroidered Black Dress 4By Nicole MillerLocated in San Diego, CAChic and rare early 1990s NICOLE MILLER little black novelty "Chess' dress! Flirty fit, with a fitted bodice, and a slightly flared skirt. A whimsical take on the LBD, with Chess the...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Rifat Ozbek Sz 8 Black White Leopard Print Coin Embellished Mermaid DressBy Rifat Özbek, OzbekLocated in San Diego, CASexy and rare vintage late 80s RIFAT FUTURE OZBEK bodycon mermaid black crepe rayon dress! Features white embroidery down the front. Gold brass coins embellished at the gold threaded...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Karl Lagerfeld 1990s Black Avant Garde Vintage 90s Sash Zipper Mini DressBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage KARL LAGERFELD early 90s black rayon mini dress ! Features a tailored bodice with a flirty skater like skirt. Full metal zipper up the front with hook-and-eye closure at...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1950s Chic Crepe Sleeveless Perfect Vintage 50s Little Black Sheath DressLocated in San Diego, CAPerfect late 1950s black crepe sleeveless dress! The perfect LBD that is an essential timeless addition to any wardrobe. Features soft black crepe, with a wrap around strap that butt...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- Beautiful 1940s Black Sequin Crepe Vintage 40s Short Sleeve Cocktail DressLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1940s black crepe sequined cocktail dress! Features hundreds of hand-sewn black sequins on the entire front bodice. Free flowy skirt is both flattering and comfortable. Met...Category
1940s Cocktail Dresses
- Gorgeous 1950s Demi Couture Leopard Cheetah Print Silk Fit n' Flare 50s DressLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous vintage 1950s demi couture leopard/cheetah print fit and flare silk dress! This is one bombshell of a dress, and is a classic beauty! Features allover animal print. Fitted b...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Silk Polka Dot Lace-Up Ruffle Mini DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sexy polka dot Gucci mini dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, this black dress with white dots features winged underarms, a v-neckline, ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Tulle Sleeveless Shift DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black pleated chiffon Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2001 collection, the top version of this dress in pink debuted on the season's runway as pa...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Claude Montana Black Wrap Dress/Optional Coat With Velvet AccentsBy Claude Montana Paris, Claude MontanaLocated in New York, NYClaude Montana black wrap dress with an optional choice to wear as a coat iss accented with velvet as ties and finished with gold hardware caps on ...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- Oscar de la Renta Flower Sequin Silk GownBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous black and white sequin silk gown by Oscar de la Renta. It has long sleeves with zippers at the wrists, is semi fitted with a gathered skirt all completely covered in larg...Category
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990s Moschino Couture It's All So Simple Black Sleeveless Shift DressBy MoschinoLocated in San Francisco, CAVintage 1990s Moschino Couture black and white sleeveless sheath dress with "It's all so simple" embroidery at front. Back zip. 52% acetate, 48% rayon. Fully lined in 60% acetate, ...Category
1990s Italian Casual Dresses
- Lanvin 2013 Alber Elbaz Sleeveless Gray & Black Metallic Animal Print DressBy Alber Elbaz, Lanvin ParisLocated in Portland, ORThis is such an incredible Lanvin cocktail dress designed by Alber Elbaz for his 2013 River collection. We love dresses like this one because it can be dressed up for dinner or worn ...Category
2010s Italian Informal Dresses