BILL BLASS c.1980’s Gray Black Color Block Long Sleeve Fitted Knit Sheath Dress
View Similar Items
BILL BLASS c.1980’s Gray Black Color Block Long Sleeve Fitted Knit Sheath Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Thiensville, WI
- Reference Number:Seller: EI:011254_1/E1stDibs: LU541310322812
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.
- PIERRE CARDIN c.1980's Black & Ivory Color-Block Wool Long Sleeve Shift DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Thiensville, WIVintage Pierre Cardin c.1980's black and ivory color-block wool cocktail dress. Long sleeve shift style. Crew neckline. Stylized curved princess seams. Center back zipper closure. Ce...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
$432 Sale Price50% Off - PIERRE CARDIN c.1960’s Mod Space Age Black Drop Waist Dress Accordion PleatingBy Pierre CardinLocated in Thiensville, WIPIERRE CARDIN c.1960’s Mod Space Age Black Drop Waist Dress Accordion Pleating Circa: 1960’s Label(s): Pierre Cardin Paris New York, The Needle Craft Atlantic City Designer: Pierre Cardin Style: Drop waist dress, accordion-pleated skirt and fitted long lantern...Category
1960s American Casual Dresses
$1,447 Sale Price50% Off - ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1998 “Golden Shower” Plunge Neck Micro Mini Tuxedo DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1998 “Golden Shower” Plunge Neck Micro Mini Tuxedo Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 1998 “Golden Show...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
$3,427 Sale Price50% Off - ATELIER VERSACE S/S 1990 Mini Navy Embellished Medusa Cuff Sleeve Tunic DressBy Gianni Versace, Atelier VersaceLocated in Thiensville, WIATELIER VERSACE S/S 1990 Mini Navy Embellished Medusa Cuff Sleeve Tunic Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Atelier Versace Collection: S/S 1990 Designer: Gianni Versace Style: Mini tunic d...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$4,347 Sale Price50% Off - GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black Sequin Embroidered Bird DressBy Alexander McQueen, GivenchyLocated in Thiensville, WIGIVENCHY Couture A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black Sequin Embroidered Bird Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Givenchy Couture Collection: A/W 1997- Runway look #2...Category
1990s French Sheath Dresses
$9,497 Sale Price50% Off - LESLIE FAY Original c.1960’s Gray Silver Mock Neck Sleeveless Mod A-line DressLocated in Thiensville, WILESLIE FAY Original c.1960’s Gray Silver Mock Neck Sleeveless Mod A-line Dress Circa: 1960’s Label(s): Leslie Fay Original; ILGWU tag Style: A-Line dress C...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
$267 Sale Price50% Off
- Jackie Rogers Classic Black Satin Bias Cut DressBy Jackie RogersLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJackie Rogers classic silky black satin bias cut dress from the 1990s. The perfect black dress to dress up with jewelry and or a belt. The dress slips o...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 80s Kevan Hall Couture Black Sequin 1980s Off Shoulder Vintage Cocktail DressLocated in San Diego, CALate 1980s KEVAN HALL COUTURE black off-the-shoulder sequin dress ! Features a nude chiffon underlay with a lace nad sequin bodice. Flowy silk chiffon skirt. Boned bodice. Hidden zip...Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980S THIERRY MUGLER Black Rayon Blend Crepe Asymmetrically Draped Cocktail DreBy Thierry MuglerLocated in New York, NYTagged a European 36 1980S THIERRY MUGLER Black Rayon Blend Crepe Asymmetrically Draped Cocktail Dress With Sheer Lace Back & SleevesCategory
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- A Pierre Cardin Black Couture Jersey Evening Dress Circa 1976/1978By Pierre Cardin Couture, Pierre CardinLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1976/1978 France Beautiful evening dress Pierre Cardin Haute Couture in black silk jersey dating from the late 1970s. Crew neck dress in stretchy black silk jersey, with long bat sleeves...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses
- 1990s Emanuel Ungaro Size 10 Black Rayon Vintage 90s Bell Sleeve Wrap DressBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in San Diego, CAChic late 90s EMANUEL UNGARO black rayon blend size 10 bell sleeve wrap dress ! Tailored bodice with a flirty skirt. Buttons up the front. Ruffle detail at center front neck, down th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Navy Blue Chiffon White Rhinestone Flowers Vintage 60s Gown Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1960s navy blue and white silk chiffon flower rhinestone applique gown ! Features a tailored bodice with hand-sewn white flowers that are encrusted with rhinestones. Sheer ...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns