Bill Blass Paisley Edwardian Style Dress Coat
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Paisley Edwardian Style Dress Coat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 49 in (124.46 cm)Marked Size: 10 (US)
- Style:Edwardian (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Button closure and two side pockets in front.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Sharon, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3238218006632
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.
- Chinese !9th Century Silk Embroidered Wedding ShawlLocated in Sharon, CTCream silk. Hand embroidered with a floral motif. Hand knotted silk fringe. Hanging braided tassels on back. Tassels add 5" to length and width.Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Shawls
- Edwardian Black Wool Coat with Faux JewelsLocated in Sharon, CTA long black Edwardian coat with a gold embroidered Indian motif collar, with faux red and green 'stones'. Slim fitted and long sleeves. Slightly padded shoulders.Category
Early 20th Century American Coats
- Early 20th Century Chinese Robe with Metallic Dragon EmbroideryLocated in Sharon, CTHand sewn metallic thread Dragon appliqués. Silk and metallic threads used.Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Coats
- Stern Brothers Paris/New York 'Duster' Motoring CoatLocated in Sharon, CTRare early motoring 'Duster' Coat. White silk and linen blend, with black silk trim on collar and cuffs.Category
Early 1900s French Car Coats
- Fendi 365 Karl Lagerfeld Black Faux Curly Astrakhan Short CoatBy Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld for FendiLocated in Sharon, CTFour pockets in front. Fully lined. Length of sleeve 24", shoulder to shoulder 18". Has label. Made in Italy.Category
Early 2000s Italian Coats
- Belle Epoque Silk GownLocated in Sharon, CTSilk satin ecru gown with Brussels lace and dotted tulle on sleeves, and seed pearl tassels attached to sleeves and base of dress.Category
Early 20th Century American Court Gowns
- Art Deco 7 Ft. Black Silk Manila Piano Shawl With White Floral EmbroideryLocated in New York, NYArt Deco black silk piano shawl hand embroidered with white silk floral design and 12" hand knotted silk fringe. The shawl is visually beautiful, soft...Category
Early 20th Century Philippine Shawls
- Vintage Rare Pierre Cardin Boutique Navy Blue Trench CoatBy Pierre CardinLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLBeautiful vintage circa 1980 Pierre Cardin Boutique classic trench coat. Made in France. Navy blue corduroy features the traditional storm flap ...Category
1980s French Trench Coats
- SAINT LAURENT By HEDI SLIMANE F/W 2015 Runway CoatBy Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BESAINT LAURENT by HEDI SLIMANE Rare F/W 2015 Runway Coat With Mink Collar Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: F/W 2015 Fabric: Wool / Mink Color: Black Siz...Category
2010s French Coats
- Vintage LODEN German Red Wool Cape POCKETS Black Velvet 40Located in Asheville, NCLogan Germany Cape, Wool Blend, Four Metal Buttons, Two Pockets (One Unopened), Velvet Trim on Bottom and Around Collar, Fully Lined, Size 40, Fun Vintage Label with Mountain Goat M...Category
Mid-20th Century German Swing Coats
- Rare ESKANDAR Delave Linen Gauze Round Neck Coat Pleating ELEPHANTDARK NWT SZ 1By EskandarLocated in Asheville, NCEskandar, Spring/Summer 2016 Collection, Delave Linen Gauze Round Neck Coat with Pleating, Elephantdark, Made in England, 100% Linen, Size 1, Does not come with the Pictured Catalog ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Coats
- Vintage GUY LAROCHE 80s Ski Hooded PARKA Gray Red Jacket Down Feather Coat XLBy Guy LarocheLocated in Asheville, NCGuy Laroche, 80's Designer Vintage, Paris/New York, Made in Taiwan, Polyester/Cotton Shell, Down, Feathers and Polyester Filler, Dual Metal Zipper, Button and Drawstring Tie Closures...Category
1980s Taiwanese Anoraks and Parkas