Bill Blass Vintage 1980s Color Block Swing Coat with a Hood
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: L (US)
- Style:80s (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sparks, NV
- Reference Number:
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: Sparks, NV
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1960s Mr. Blackwell Custom Vintage Black + Brown Houndstooth Wool Jacket or CoatBy Mr. BlackwellLocated in Sparks, NVBoxy vintage 1960s Mr. Blackwell black and brown wool houndstooth jacket. Fully lined with front button and snap closure. Hidden front pockets. Fits like a modern size small. The bus...Category
1960s American Jackets
- Youthcraft Vintage Black Wool Asymmetric Mod Coat with Chevron Detail, 1960sBy YouthcraftLocated in Sparks, NVVintage 1960s black wool coat by Youthcraft with asymmetric closure. Fully lined with asymmetric front button and snap closure. Front hidden pockets. Structured shoulder pads sewn in...Category
1960s American Coats and Outerwear
- Elinor Simmons for Malcolm Starr Vintage 1960s Green + White Textured Plaid CoatBy Elinor Simmons, Malcolm StarrLocated in Sparks, NVVintage green and white textured fabric coat with mod detailing and heavy shell buttons by Elinor Simmons for Malcolm Starr. Pointed collar and front button closure. Details Fu...Category
1960s American Coats and Outerwear
- Convertible 1960s Ronald Amey Demi-Couture Vintage Wool + Silk Cape Dress CoatBy Ronald AmeyLocated in Sparks, NVThis is one of the most beautiful vintage pieces I have ever laid eyes on. The quality is absolutely exceptional and the condition is pristine. Ronald Amey designed this cape that co...Category
1960s American Capes
- Gianni Versace Vintage 1980s Brown Plaid Linen/ Cotton Asymmetric Blazer JacketBy Gianni Versace, VersaceLocated in Sparks, NVUnique brown and beige plaid oversized blazer jacket by Gianni Versace in a linen/ cotton blend. Made in Italy. Details Unlined Front button closure Circa: 1980s Label: Gian...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- 1970s Vintage Black + White Irish Wool Tweed Cape Coat with Fringe TrimLocated in Sparks, NVDarling vintage 1970s black and white Irish wool coat with attached cape detail and black fringe trim. Fully lined with front button closure. Front pockets. Fits like a modern size small. The bust measures 36", waist 33", hips 41, drop shoulders 15", sleeve length 23" and the total length 43". Excellent vintage condition with no noted flaws. Made in the Republic of Ireland.Category
1970s Irish Capes
- BALENCIAGA 2012 Ghesquiere navy black colorblocked structured cocoon coat FR40By Balenciaga, Nicolas GhesquièreLocated in Hong Kong, NTBALENCIAGA 2012 Ghesquiere navy black colorblocked structured cocoon coat FR40 Brand: Balenciaga Designer: Nicolas Ghesquiere Collection: 2012 Model Na...Category
2010s French Coats
- new SAINT LAURENT 2018 Reversible yellow blue satin bird embroidery bomber EU50By Saint LaurentLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew SAINT LAURENT 2018 Reversible yellow blue satin bird embroidery bomber EU50 Reference: TGAS/B01681 Brand: Saint Laurent Collection: 2018 Runway ...Category
2010s Italian Bomber Jackets
- CHANEL purple cotton 2020 20C FOUR POCKET TWEED Jacket 38 SBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel collarless tweed jacket in purple cotton (100%). Features a slight V-neck, four buttoned patch pockets and shoulder patches. Closes with concealed hook and eyes...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Coats
- HAIDER ACKERMANN dark blue rayon black silk trimmed long robe jacket FR36 SBy Haider AckermannLocated in Hong Kong, NTHAIDER ACKERMANN dark blue rayon black silk trimmed long robe jacket FR36 S Reference: KEDG/A00050 Brand: Haider Ackermann Designer: Haider Ackermann Ma...Category
2010s Capes
- rare CHANEL red pink Camellia CC wool fluffy boucle trim cardigan jacket FR34 XSBy ChanelLocated in Hong Kong, NTrare CHANEL red pink Camellia CC wool fluffy boucle trim cardigan jacket FR34 XS Reference: AAWC/A00248 Brand: Chanel Designer: Virginie Viard Model: P70629 K10207 Material: Wool, Bl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Coats
- SHIATZY CHEN purple oriental abstract silk brocade cropped jacket IT44 LLocated in Hong Kong, NTSHIATZY CHEN purple oriental abstract silk brocade cropped jacket IT44 L Reference: TGAS/D00073 Brand: Shiatzy Chen Material: Polyester, Silk Color: Purple, Black Pattern: Abstract C...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Coats