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.
$510Sale Price|40% Off
Bill Blass Velvet Pants with "Diamond" Buttons on Left Leg
By Bill Blass
Located in New Hope, PA
These Bill Blass black velvet pants have eight large faux diamond buttons on the left side. They all have functioning buttonholes so that you can open that leg all the way up to the ...
Bill Blass Silk Cut Velvet Dress 1990s
By Bill Blass
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful black semi sheer silk dress by Bill Blass covered with black velvet dots with grey centers. It is sleeveless with a crew neckline, a blouson bodice with a black velvet be...
Purple velvet pencil skirt BILL BLASS Circa 1980's
By Bill Blass
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Purple velvet pencil skirt . No fabric composition tag but the lining is probably acetate. Zip and hook&eye closure on the left side. Gros-grain inside the waist. SIZE 12 (Us) but ...
1980s Bill Blass Navy Blue and White Vintage 80s One Piece Swimsuit Bodysuit
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic late 80s BILL BLASS navy blue and white nautical inspired one piece swimsuit or bodysuit ! Gold logo BB embossed buttons up the front and at each side of the waist. Perfect for...
Bill Blass Grey Beaded Shell Top
By Bill Blass
Located in Ardmore, PA
Bill Blass Grey Beaded Shell Top Hand-Beaded Silk-lined
$971Sale Price|25% Off
Fabulous Bill Blass Sz 6 1990s Black and White Crochet Vintage 90s Sheath Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Fabulous 1990s BILL BLASS black and white ivory knee length sheath dress! White crepe body with hand embroidered black crochet overlay. Tailored bodice with a pencil fitting skirt. S...
$393Sale Price|25% Off
1990s Bill Blass Rope Strap Black Nautical One Piece Vintage Swimsuit Bodysuit
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage BILL BLASS black one piece swimsuit or bodysuit! Features chic tan rope straps that add just the right amount of jazz to this figure flaunting piece! Great alone for the...
1970s Bill Blass Ombre Sequin Long-Sleeved Maxi Gown w Ostrich Feather Bib
By Bill Blass
Located in Gresham, OR
1970s Bill Blass Ombre Sequin Long-Sleeved Maxi Gown w Ostrich Feather Bib: A gorgeous ombre from bronze & gold to jade & emerald green. Simple and stunning, with an unexpected natu...
$495Sale Price|28% Off
Bill Blass Floral Print Silk Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in New Hope, PA
Bill Blass designed this gorgeous silk dress in the 1980's using a beautiful floral silk in shades of pink, rose, green and yellow on a creamy white background. The dress has a low c...
1960's Bill Blass Black and White Sequin Dress With Feather Trim
By Bill Blass
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1960's Bill Blass black and white sequin dress with feather trim. Fun frilly fantasy cocktail dress. Short sleeve, shift style dress with slightly s...
Vintage Bill Blass 1990s Size 6 Lipstick Red One Shoulder 90s Silk Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage 90s BILL BLASS for Saks 5th Avenue lipstick red one shoulder silk dress! Features a flattering fit with a spaghetti strap on the left sh...
1990s Bill Blass Vintage French Dove Gray Off Shoulder Silk Jersey Evening Gown
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 90s BILL BLASS off-the-shoulder Grecian evening dress! Perfect French Grey color compliments nearly any skin tone. Soft silk je...
$680Sale Price|28% Off
Bill Blass Ivory Lace Brocade Jacket Size 10 Vintage
By Bill Blass
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bill Blass Ivory Lace Brocade Jacket - Size 10 Circa 90's. This gorgeous jacket is in excellent vintage condition. Measurements are: Bust 36" - 38" Wai...
Bill Blass Vintage Red and Gold Silk Lurex Asian Inspired Gown, 1970s
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing and super rare vintage 1970s BILL BLASS gold metallic lurex and silk evening dress! Bright red abstract silk designs throughout, with the ones on the sleeve a semi sheer silk...
White beaded chiffon cocktail dress with black velvet belt and bow Bill Blass
By Bill Blass
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
White beaded chiffon cocktail dress with black velvet belt and bow. No fabric composition. Zip and hook and eye closure in the middle back. Snap under the bow to fix it on the waist....
Vintage BIll Blass Black 1990s Beaded Size 6 / 8 90s Strapless Evening Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning 1990s BILL BLASS black crepe beaded strapless evening gown! Features thousands of slimming black beads hand-sewn throughout. Interior boned bust helps keep everything in pla...
Fall 2008 Peter Som for Bill Blass Sequinned Cocktail Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in Toronto, Ontario
2008 Peter Som for Bill Blass floral blue, white and bronze hand sequinned cocktail dress. This stunning short sleeve dress features intricate overall sequin work arranged in a deli...
1980s Bill Blass Leopard Brocade Lamé Cigarette Pants
By Bill Blass
Located in Gresham, OR
A spectacular 1980s Bill Blass leopard patterned silk lamé cigarette pant. Very fitted and lean. Center back zipper. Pants fit a US size medium/large....
NWT 1990s Bill Blass Size 10 Brown + Gold Alligator Vintage One Piece Swimsuit
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
New with tags (NWT) vintage 90s BILL BLASS one piece swimsuit or bodysuit! Features a chic alligator / crocodile flattering fit. Shades of brown, rust a...
Bill Blass Navy and White Polka Dot Dress with Navy and White Striped Trim
By Bill Blass
Located in New Hope, PA
This charming Bill Blass dress has a wonderful combination of patterns and shapes. The dress is navy and white silk polka dots, edged with diagonal and vertical striped navy and whi...
Bill Blass Strapless Lace, Point D'esprit and Taffeta Bubble Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in New York, NY
Charming Bill Blass Strapless Lace, Point D'esprit and Taffeta Bubble Cocktail Dress from the 1980's. Corset is overlaid and trimmed in lace. Point D'esprit ruffle at hip which relea...
Circa 1980 Bill Blass Black Silk Cocktail Dress With a Twist
By Bill Blass
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bill Blass puts a sophisticated twist on the ‘little black dress’. This sleek design is fabricated from a fine silk faille with a ruched detail at the bodice that criss crosses to c...
Bill Blass 1990s Does 1960s Size 6 Beaded Silk + Wool A Line Dress + Jacket Set
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1990s does 1960s BILL BLASS ivory / off white and grey beaded A-Line dress and blazer jacket ensemble ! Textured silk blend tailored bodice and jacket. Slight A Line skirt with ...
Bill Blass Vintage Size 12 / 14 Black Silk Chiffon 1990s Long Sleeve 90s Gown
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1990s BILL BLASS for BERGDORF GOODMAN couture quality black evening dress! Luxurious black silk chiffon. Black on black polka dot bodice, with semi sheer black chiffon above the front and back bodice, and on the long sleeves. Button closure at sleeve cuffs. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye closure. Slit at bottom center chiffon hem makes this gem perfect for dancing! The perfect timeless black chiffon American couture...
1980's Bill Blass Emerald Velvet Dress with Rhinestone Details
By Bill Blass
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1980's Bill Blass evening/cocktail dress in deep emerald velvet with sparkling rhinestone button accents along the shoulder and bodice. The silhouette features softly gathered detail...
Amazing Vintage Bill Blass Royal Blue Avant Garde One Piece Swimsuit Bodysuit
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage BILL BLASS royal blue one piece swimsuit or bodysuit! Features attached 'ropes' in the same fabric drape across the front and back bust. Criss cross back hooks clo...
Bill Blass by Michael Vollbracht Black and White Lace Tulip Hem 2000s Dress
By Bill Blass, Michaele Vollbracht
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant and rare early 2000s BILL BLASS by MICHAEL VOLLBRACHT black and white lace cocktail dress. This is an extra special piece, as Michael Voll...
1980s Bill Blass Tiger Print Stenciled Calf Fur Pencil Skirt
By Bill Blass
Located in Gresham, OR
1980s Bill Blass tiger-stenciled calf fur pencil skirt. Inner grosgrain waistband. Fully lined and fabulous!
Bill Blass Swimsuit - 1980s Vintage - Red & Navy Lycra - Faux Pockets + Buttons
By Bill Blass
Located in KENT, United Kingdom
Product details: Bill Blass - Red Seersucker Lycra Swimsuit - Gold Button Detail - x 2 Front Faux Pockets - Navy Plain Lycra Knicker Label: Bill Blass Era: c.1980 Fabric Content: Lyc...
Vintage Bill Blass Size 6 Black and White Gingham 1980s Silk Taffeta 80s Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful late 80s BILL BLASS Size 6 black and white gingham silk taffeta dress with hot pink bows. Fit and flare style with a boned tailored b...
Bill Blass Red & Black Satin Evening Gown w/Illusion Top & Velvet Band
By Bill Blass
Located in Studio City, CA
Vintage Bill Blass evening gown with black long sleeved illusion bodice, black velvet modesty band at bust and a skirt divided evenly d...
Bill Blass 1990s Women's Multi-Color Lace Silk Gown, Size 4
By Bill Blass
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Late 90s Bill Blass Brown, Purple and Green Long sleeve lace gown. Perfect for Black tie, or wedding. - silk charmeuse - lace fit size 4 Measurements: Bust fit 34” / Waist 27” /Hip ...
Bill Blass Spring/Summer 2006 Pink Gold Strapless Evening Dress 36CM
By Bill Blass
Located in London, GB
Bill Blass Spring/Summer 2006 Pink & Gold Strapless Dress Good Condition
Bill Blass Cashmere Black and Cream Tattersall Plaid Jacket and Skirt Suit
By Bill Blass
Located in New Hope, PA
This luscious cashmere tattersall plaid Bill Blass skirt suit is so good it whispers quiet luxury. The cream and black tattersall fabric is so very soft to the touch, and it is ful...
Bill Blass Copper Leather and Cloque Evening Ensemble
By Bill Blass
Located in New York, NY
Bill Blass evening ensemble of copper kid leather and copper lame cloque. Fitted jacket with pleated shoulders is versatile enough to wear for day. Full gathered skirt.
Belt n...
$506Sale Price|25% Off
Bill Blass 1980s Blue Turquoise Size 6 Polka Dot One Piece 80s Swimsuit Bodysuit
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing 1980s BILL BLASS turquoise teal blue and white polka dot one piece swimsuit or bodysuit ! Features a traditional blue that fades into turquoise / teal on the bottom. Simply s...
Bill Blass 1970s Pea Coat
By Bill Blass
Located in Alford, MA
Nicely styled and fashioned Bill Blass pea coat from the 1970s in beige gabardine. Double breasted with nautical-theme buttons, tabs at the wrists and at the neck, and straight, slas...
Vintage Bill Blass 1990s Nautical Blue White Striped One Piece Swimsuit Bodysuit
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
90s BILL BLASS royal blue and white striped nautical one piece swimsuit or bodysuit! Features flattering contrasting stripes on the front and back. Dipp...
Bill Blass Pastel Cocktail Dress with Embroidered Cage
By Bill Blass
Located in Alford, MA
Beautifully crafted Bill Blass two-layer dress, the main body a strapless sheath of repeating ribbon stripes in aqua, mint, beige and gray. Skimming over this is a sheer net sleevele...
$460Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Bill Blass Swimsuit Sarong 1990s Black and Hunter Green 90s Wrap Skirt
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic BILL BLASS black and hunter forest green swimsuit cover up! Wraps around the waist, or can be tied at one shoulder as a dress. The perfect acces...
Jacquard bustier cocktail dress BILL BLASS
By Bill Blass
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Jacquard bustier cocktail dress. Fabric composition: 100% polyester & lurex. Satin lining. Boned. Zip and hook&eye closure on the middle back. SIZE 0 on tag / S
Bill Blass Satin Back Crepe Flapper Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in New York, NY
Bill Blass Satin Back Crepe Flapper Inspired Dress from the 1980's. One shoulder design with satin bloused waistband and short attached skirt. Large ...
Bill Blass Black Cocktail Dress Michaele Vollbracht Floral Appliqué Sz 10
By Bill Blass
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic vintage Bill Blass black cocktail dress designed by Michaele Vollbracht, circa 2004. Created during Vollbracht's acclaimed tenure as Creative Director of the iconic America...
Bill Blass Paisley Edwardian Style Dress Coat
By Bill Blass
Located in Sharon, CT
Offering a Bill Blass Paisley patterned coat of Edwardian inspiration. Coat is cotton, with a flannel wool lining. Fully lined. And labeled- Made ...
Pale pink and beige tweed single breasted coat with tulle ruffle BILL BLASS NY
By Bill Blass
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale pink and beige tweed single breasted coat with tulle ruffle. Tweed composition: 37% nylon, 29% wool, 17% cotton, 17% polyester. Tulle ruffles edge. No fabric composition tag for...
Bill Blass TuxedoSatinTrim Bold Shoulder WoolCrepe Black Cocktail Dress 1970s
By Bill Blass
Located in Chicago, IL
Around 1970 when Bill Blass introduced his eponymous brand after becoming a leading couture fashion designer among New York City society, he created this sleek tuxedo-like ecru-satin...
Bill Blass 1980s Tortoise Shell Print Brown Sequin Size 6 Vintage 80s Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and unique vintage late 80s BILL BLASS tortoise shell print fully sequined short sleeve silk dress ! I have never seen such unique and beautiful sequins; they are literally...
Vintage Bill Blass Size 14 Gray Silk Chiffon Beautiful Rose Print Kimono Jacket
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage BILL BLASS rose printed gray silk chiffon kimono jacket! Full wide angel sleeves. Open front style, which looks great belted. So much detail was considered in the c...
Black chiffon cocktail dress with black beaded bustier BILL BLASS EVENING
By Bill Blass
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black chiffon cocktail dress with black beaded bustier. BILL BLASS EVENING for Bergdorf Goodman. Body fabric composition: 51% triacetate, 30% rayon, 19% polyester. Trim : silk. Zip...
Bill Blass Cream Wool Jacket with Black Beaded Trim
By Bill Blass
Located in New Hope, PA
This Bill Blass cream wool jacket is just amazing! Everything about it is very much in the style of a famous French Designer. Everything about it says Chanel, until you look closer ...
1990s BILL BLASS Brown Beaded Long Sleeves Cocktail Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage 90s Bill Blass Brown Printed Beaded Embellished metallic sequin long sleeve cocktail dress . Dress has elastic waist and fully lined in silk. ...
$1,058Sale Price|24% Off
Bill Blass Vintage Black Gold Lace Silk Cocktail Skirt Suit Ensemble 1990s
By Bill Blass
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic vintage Bill Blass black and gold two-piece evening ensemble, circa 1992–1995. A striking example of Bill Blass's sophisticated American glamour from the early 1990s, thi...
1992 Bill Blass Silk & Lurex Blocked Animal-Pattern Lame Cocktail Dress w Sash
By Bill Blass
Located in Gresham, OR
1982 Bill Blass Silk & Lurex Blocked Animal-Pattern Lame Cocktail Dress w Wrap Sash: Cleverly blocked and seamed gold and black lame with a copper leopard sleeve with a bold, contra...
1960s Bill Blass Yellow Three-Piece Suit with Paisley Shell
By Maurice Rentner, Bill Blass
Located in Alford, MA
Early Bill Blass spring suit in yellow windowpane plaid worsted wool, the jacket lining and sleeveless shell in complementary silk paisley. The short-sleev...
Bill Blass White Cotton Frill Shirt
By Bill Blass
Located in London, GB
A fun white cotton shirt by Bill Blass. The shirt has a frill detail on the front and a ribbon tie at the back. Measurements: Bust up to 39''. length 33''
Long asymmetrical black crêpe dress Bill Blass
By Bill Blass
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Long asymmetrical black crêpe dress draped on the right shoulder. Split in the middle back = 45 cm. Silk lining. Zip on the right side. Size L
$695Sale Price|24% Off
1990's Bill Blass Navy Blue Taffeta Cocktail Dress
By Bill Blass
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1990's Bill Blass strapless navy blue silk taffeta empire waist cocktail dress featuring a large flower at bust. Boning through bodice. Excellent vintage condition, fits like a US 4....
Bill Blass 1980’s Vintage Green Tweed Skirt Suit - Size 8
By Bill Blass
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage 1980’s Bill Blass skirt suit features a textured pattern of green, aqua, white, and brown. The jacket has 3 silver woven-looking buttons with a gold rim. This skirt suit...
1960 Bill Blass Documented Floral Print Silver Brocade Gown W/Rhinestone Belt
By Bill Blass
Located in Gresham, OR
1960 Bill Blass Documented Floral Print Silver Brocade Gown W/Rhinestone Belt. Wild botanical print border design is stunning! Beige silk taffeta lining, large balloon sleeves w/ broad cuffs. Rhinestone buckle belt with a full long maxi skirt...
BILL BLASS Circa 1980's-1990's Velvet and Navy Satin Contrast Gown Size 12
By Bill Blass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Bill Blass gown is composed of a black velvet with contrasting satin skirt. There is a center back zipper closure and button closures at the sleeve end. In excellent vintage c...