BILL BLASS c.1980’s Orange Houndstooth Trim Short Sleeve Button Up Day Dress
View Similar Items
BILL BLASS c.1980’s Orange Houndstooth Trim Short Sleeve Button Up Day Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Thiensville, WI
- Reference Number:Seller: EI:012759_1/E/W1stDibs: LU541311399402
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.
- EMILIO PUCCI c.1960s Orange Abstract Signature Print Jersey V-Neck Dress Size 10By Emilio PucciLocated in Thiensville, WIVintage c.1960s Emilio Pucci orange, pink, brown, gold, and ivory abstract signature print silk jersey dress. Empire waist. V-neckline at front. Three-quarter length sleeves. Above t...Category
1960s Italian Empire Waist Dresses
- ALEXANDER'S c.1960's Deep Goldenrod Sequin Embellish Mod Sleeveless Shift DressLocated in Thiensville, WIVintage c.1960's Alexander's deep goldenrod knit shift dress. Sleeveless with round neckline. Abstract green sequined detail on front wrapping around lower back of dress. Black trim...Category
1960s Italian Shift Cocktail Dresses
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1996 “The Hunger” Green Asymmetric Strapless Ruffle DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1996 “The Hunger” Green Asymmetric Strapless Ruffle Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 1996 Style: Strapless dress Color(s): Shades of green Lined: No Marked Fabric Content: Bodice; 76% cotton, 22% polyester, 2% elastane Trim; 100% seta silk Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen S/S 1996 green strapless dress...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2010 “Plato's Atlantis” Kaleidoscope Dolman Sleeve DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2010 “Plato's Atlantis” Kaleidoscope Dolman Sleeve Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 2010 Style: Dolman sleeve bodycon dress Color(s): Shades of blue, purple, green, and white Lined: No Marked Fabric Content: 100% Cupro Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen S/S 2010 “Plato’s Atlantis” dolman sleeve bodycon dress. Dress is a super stretch thin knit. Dark navy blue base/background with purple, white, light blue, and green design atop...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2006 “Widows Of Culloden” Gray Bow Empire Sheath DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2006 “Widows Of Culloden” Gray Bow Empire Sheath Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: F/W 2006 “Widows Of Culloden” Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Empire sheath dress Color(s): Gray Lined: Yes Marked Fabric Content: Shell: “94% Wool, 4% Polyamide, 2% Elastane”; Lining: “57% Viscose, 43% Polyester” Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen Gray...Category
Early 2000s Italian Empire Waist Dresses
- HAROLD IMPORTERS c.1930’s Black Satin Crystal Pearl Button Up Box Pleated DressLocated in Thiensville, WIHAROLD IMPORTERS c.1930’s Black Satin Crystal Pearl Button Up Box Pleated Dress Circa: 1930’s Label(s): Harold Importers Style: Pleated dress Color(s): Black Lined: No Unmarked Fabric Content (feel of): Satin (dress); Metal, Pearl (closures) Additional Details / Inclusions: 1930’s Black satin long sleeve pleated dress. Tailored dress bodice with waist darts in front; waist darts in back. Rounded neckline with short rounded edge collar. Long sleeves with fitted zip-up sleeve cuffs; lapped zipper closure at sleeve cuffs with metal zipper hardware. Underarm gusset panel inserts at each sleeve. Semi-full bias-cut skirt with large double layer box...Category
1930s Informal Dresses
- Badgley Mischka Collection Coral Jersey Cut-Out Sides Long Dress NWT Size 4By Badgley MischkaLocated in Palm Springs, CAA sexy slither of a dress designed by the team of Badgley Mischka for the collection label. (higher end). Cut-out sides above waist show a hint of skin. Flattering draped sides on wa...Category
2010s Chinese Cocktail Dresses
- A French Pleated Printed Silk Crepe Dress Circa 1970Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1970 France Elegant timeless dress in printed silk crepe by an anonymous French designer dating from the 1970s. Straight dress with long sleeve a...Category
1970s French Casual Dresses
- Gianni Versace " versus" 1990s vintage matching belt orange cotton mini dressBy Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Antwerp, BEThis is a 90s vintage Gianni Versace "versus" gold snap front button closure, gold western collar tips made of orange linen mini dress with its original m...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
$456 Sale Price40% Off - Vintage Galanos Couture 1980s Peach Salmon Silk Chiffon Flowy 80s DressBy Galanos, James GalanosLocated in San Diego, CARare early 80s JAMES GALANOS Couture peach / light pink salmon silk chiffon cut-out dress ! An insane amount of work went into the construction of this beauty. Tailored bodice with hidden zipper up the back. Sheer cut-out panels look fantastic with movement. Gold seashell buttons at each sleeve cuff...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
- Philippe Venet Haute Couture Cocktail DressBy Philippe VenetLocated in Geneva, CHRare 70's Philippe Venet haute couture marigold silk dress. Fully lined in a refined matching silk, the dress features an internal belt and closes with a zip, hook and eye at the bac...Category
1970s French Cocktail Dresses
- Guy Laroche Haute Couture Silk Dress, Spring-Summer 1967By Guy LarocheLocated in Geneva, CHA fantastic piece of haute couture, this Guy Laroche dress is perfect for either daytime events or, after a quick change of shoes and accessories, a cocktail wear too ! Constructed i...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses