1990s Bill Blass Size 8 10 Raspberry Pink Beige Silk Chiffon + Mohair Lace Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 10 (US)Shoulder to Hem: 39 in (99.06 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6624188893
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.
- Carolyne Roehm 1990s Fuchsia Hot Pink Wool Vintage 90s Mini Empire DressBy Carolyne RoehmLocated in San Diego, CAChic vintage 90s CAROLYNE ROEHM for NEIMAN MARCUS fuchsia / hot pink long sleeve virgin wool mini empire dress! Sits slightly off the shoulder that exposes just the right amount of arms and neck. Features a fitted bodice with a forgiving empire silhouette...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- Incredible Vintage Lillie Rubin 1990s Hot Pink Fully Sequined 90s Mini DressBy Lillie RubinLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage LILLIE RUBIN 1990s schocking hot pink fully sequined and beaded mini dress! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequin throughout. Pink seed beads line the sleeves and plung...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Celine Bubble Gum Pink + White Vintage 60s Shift DressBy CelineLocated in San Diego, CAChic AND Rare vintage Celine dress from the mid 1960s. Celine began in 1945 as a high end shoemaker for children. In 1960, the transitioned to leather goods, shoes, and ready to wear...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Tachi Castillo Hot Pink Mexican Crochet Vintage Cotton 70s Maxi DressBy Tachi CastilloLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1970s TACHI CASTILLO hot pink 3/4 bell sleeve cotton crochet boho maxi dress ! Castillo was a Mexican designer who was famed for her textile works, and her ability to transform ...Category
1970s Mexican Maxi Dress
- 1970s Fink Modell Hot Pink Tassel Rayon Jersey Vintage 70s Maxi Dress GownLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1970s dress by French design house FINK MODELL! Beautiful vibrant hot pink color with purple and black stripes on the shoulders. Tassels at each shoulder add just the right...Category
1970s French Evening Gowns
- 1960s Stanley Wyllins Navy Blue and Red Checkered Vintage 60s Wool Shift DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s STANLEY WYLLINS red, ivory and navy blue checkered wool mod shift dress! Features an ivory and red checkered bodice and navy blue skirt. But...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Nude Ethic Trompe l'oeil Vanessa Guide DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion Nude Body Ethic Trompe l'oeil Venus Stiped Mesh Maxi Dress Jean Paul Gaultier Optical Illusion ...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Pink Taffeta Ruffle Party DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Yves Saint Laurent silk taffeta peasant dress featuring a square collar, short ruffle sleeves, red sash, full skirt, and tiered ruf...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Vintage 1970 Mainbocher Couture Vogue Documented Hot Pink Flocked Silk DressBy MainbocherLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous Mainbocher couture shocking pink abstract floral dress dating back to his 1970 collection. As shown, this design was modeled by Loulou de la Falaise for Vogue magazine. Mainbocher was a well-respected couturier who operated fashion houses in Paris and later New York from the 1930's through the 1970's. Mainbocher's arrival in New York coincided perfectly with the city élite's love for French couture, for though he epitomized it, he satisfied their patriotism because he was actually an American. The integrity of luxurious fabrics, intricate cut, quality workmanship were cherished by Mainbocher's upper crust customers. This mid 1960's dress is a perfect example of his genius. The fabric is a lush mid-weight velvet flocked silk satin. The 3/4-length sleeve buttons down bodice really compliments the classic nipped-waist silhouette. The dress can even be worn as a dramatic jacket if you choose to leave it unbuttoned. You get the effect of elegance and edgy at the same time. I love the sculpted mermaid skirting which really moves beautifully when worn. As Mainbocher once said "I have never known a really chic...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- 1950s Hot Pink Silk Strapless Cocktail DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 1950s Hot pink silk strapless cocktail dress with beaded bust and peplum hem. Bust: 34 inches / Waist: 29” / dress length ; 33Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Oscar de la Renta One Shoulder Asymmetric Chiffon DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Carmel, CAOscar de la Renta dress features an ombre color scheme with a one-shoulder design. Dress is composed with silk chiffon, has a boned bust/waist, side zipper and snap button fastening,...Category
Late 20th Century American Day Dresses
- Herve Leger 1990s 90s Pink + Gray Knit Cut Out Sheer Mesh Bandage Maxi DressBy Herve LégerLocated in Sparks, NVIconic 1990s Herve Leger knit maxi dress with cut out slash sheer mesh panels and body hugging shape. Details Unlined No Closure/ Fabric Conta...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses