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.
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Bill Blass Glass Beaded Tiered Bib Necklace c 1970
By Bill Blass
Located in University City, MO
Bill Blass glass beaded tiered bib necklace c 1970 The stylish necklace is designed with three graduated rows of heavy gauge gilt metal chains Interspersed within the graduate...
Gilt Metal
Lapis and Citrine Mala / Prayer / Meditation Necklace in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
The only place you will find Fine Jewelry Mala Necklaces, used for prayer and meditation practices. Some people even call them Yoga Necklaces to connote ...
Citrine, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Jade, Coral and Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Finely carved antique Chinese pierced celadon green jade central pendant with three round red coral and pearl line tassels and on a coral and pearl ...
Coral, Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
Faceted Citrine and Yellow Jade Necklace with 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
The only place you will find Fine Jewelry Mala Necklaces, used for prayer and meditation practices. Some people even call them Yoga Necklaces to connote ...
Citrine, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Aquamarine and Pyrite Beaded Necklace March Birthstone
Located in Oslo, 03
Delicate and timeless, this minimalist aquamarine necklace is handcrafted with 2mm faceted round natural aquamarine beads, chosen for their soft, calming blue tones. At the center, f...
Aquamarine, Pyrite, Gold-filled
Lapis, Angelite, Labradorite, 18 Karat Gold Mala / Meditation / Prayer Necklace
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
Every necklace is one-of-a-kind and imagined for not only beauty but balance. Each necklace is accompanied by a written enclosure on fine stationary informing the recipient of each m...
Labradorite, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sea Pearl and Diamond Necklace with Silver Clasp
Located in Chicago, IL
This piece comes directly from the vault of Atlantic Diamond Company—a family-run fine jewelry house with nearly 50 years of history serving elite collectors, retailers, and dealers ...
Diamond, Pearl, Silver
Pearl and Diamond Multi Strand Necklace in 18K White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful white pearl necklace with gray pearls and diamond accents. Handmade accents in 18k white gold. Length is 65".
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
GIA Oxblood Coral Strand and 3.95 Carat Diamond and Platinum Clasp
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
Today, all coral must be vintage in order to protect our reefs. Kiersten Elizabeth was moved by the patina of Havana, Cuba when she saw the ornate city of a bygone era. This is whe...
Coral, Diamond, Platinum
443.57 Carat Aquamarine Multi-Strand Necklace with Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
Inspiration for this incredible one of a kind Multi-strand necklace came from a vintage ring that can be called nothing short of a bauble. Drawing from the inspiration came luxuriou...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
$3,700
W 0.4 in Dm 1.58 in L 24.02 in
681.04 carats, natural, hand - carved Morganite, Beaded 2-Stand Necklace
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and special, carved Morganite Beaded Necklace. The weight of the Morganite is 681.04 carats. The Morganites are completely nat...
Morganite
3.5 Carats Diamonds and Sapphires in Platinum with South Sea Pearl Necklace
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
Gorgeous long necklace featuring a stunning Art Deco focal point. One of a kind and hand knotted between each pearl. Sapphire and Diamond Focal Point weighting approximately 3.5 Carats Total Weight (53) South Sea Keshi...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
House of Sol Moonstone and Pear Necklace with Baby HoS Lock
By House of Sól 1
Located in Sarasota, FL
* Featuring A-grade freshwater cultured potato-shaped pearls and oval flat-shaped Moonstones, which are hand-knotted with vibrant red silk, the necklace not only secures the gems but also adds a bold color accent, elevating its overall aesthetic appeal * Pearl & Moonstone Row measures 62 cm (24 inches), offering a generous length that drapes elegantly. * The HoS Baby Lock...
Moonstone, Freshwater Pearl, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Sterling Silver