Bill Blass Vintage Black Wool Military Maxi Coat
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Vintage Black Wool Military Maxi Coat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 51.5 in (130.81 cm)Marked Size: Medium-Large (US)Bust: 39 in (99.06 cm)Waist: 34 in (86.36 cm)Hip: 46 in (116.84 cm)
- Style:Alexander McQueen (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sparks, NV
- Reference Number:Seller: 1D-18891stDibs: LU3862991103
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.
- 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
- 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
- Valentino Vintage Black + White Heringbone Wool Coat with Sash BeltBy ValentinoLocated in Sparks, NVGorgeous vintage Valentino coat in black and white herringbone wool. Fully lined with front button closure. Front patch pockets. Structured shoulder pads are sewn in underneath the l...Category
1980s Italian Trench Coats
- Sonia Rykiel 1990s 90s Vintage Brown Wool Button Up Blazer Suit JacketBy Sonia RykielLocated in Sparks, NVChocolate brown wool blazer jacket by Sonia Rykiel. Matching buttons with engraved "SR" logo. Details Unlined Front button closure Front pockets Circa: 1990s Label: Sonia R...Category
Late 20th Century French Jackets
$175 Sale Price46% Off - 1950s Cari Colette Vintage New Look Brown Wool Tailored JacketLocated in Sparks, NVChic 1950s brown wool jacket with sleek tailoring by Cari Colette. Fully lined with front button closure. Side hidden pockets. Structured shoulder pads are sewn in underneath the lin...Category
1950s American Jackets
$95 Sale Price70% Off - Karl Lagerfeld Black Motorcycle Jacket with "Karl" Zipper Pulls and StudsBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in Sparks, NVBlack motorcycle jacket by Karl Lagerfeld with zipper detailing. Amazing "Karl" zipper pulls and studs. Details Quilted Lining Front zip...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Jackets
- Rare Original Issey Miyake Black Wool Butterfly CoatBy Issey MiyakeLocated in New York, NYRare Issey Miyake black wool butterfly coat with original label. Features button closure at front center. One size fits all.Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Coats
- Sophisticated Russian Sable Mid Length Fur Coat with 3/4 Length SleevesLocated in Tustin, CAVery sophisticated and lavish, genuine regal Russian Sable fur coat features a large and very high fashion wide shawl style collar. The fur is a very rich, dark brown with beautiful ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Overcoats
- Louis Vuitton Paris Mink Collar Ladies Black Wool Coat Size 38 US Size 6By Louis VuittonLocated in Tustin, CAElegant designer Louis Vuitton Paris ladies coat features a black wool exterior with a large, opulent black mink fur collar and soft rabbit fur lapel trim. The body of the coat is lined in quilted back polyamide, with black silk lined sleeves and black silk lined slash pockets. The backing of the collar is black silk as well. Lapels are lined in black wool and silk. Coat fastens with 5 sets of hook...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Coats
- Supreme Opulent Russian Sable Fur Stroller Length CoatLocated in Tustin, CAShown as the ultimate symbol of status and elegance, Russian Sable is considered to be the most coveted fur in the world. This Russian sable fur coat...Category
Late 20th Century American Opera Coats
$9,900 Sale Price34% Off - Couture Missoni Plaid Knitted Hooded Wool Cape Cloak with Orange LabelBy MissoniLocated in Tustin, CAColorful, heavy, knitted vintage mohair wool, plaid hooded cape from Italian high end, couture fashion designer, Missoni, features a complementary, color coordinated, striped interio...Category
1980s Italian Capes
$695 Sale Price26% Off - Two Wool/Cashmer Designer Jacketse Blue Houndstooth, Deep Red Reversible Jacket.Located in Buchanan, MITWO WOOL/CASHMERE JACKETS. Comprising of a blue houndstooth jacket, and a red reversible jacket Priced per jacket. Approximately size 10-12Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Coats