Bill Blass Graphic Print Dress
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Graphic Print Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 44 in (111.76 cm)Marked Size: 6-8 (US)Bust: 37 in (93.98 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:silk crepe
- Condition:excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU130323441171
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.
- Norell Linen Day DressLocated in New York, NYNorman Norell, Moygashel linen, black, day dress, having a fitted bodice, slightly capped sleeve, a rounded banded neckline, dropped waist with gathering at the hip with hidden pock...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Galanos Belted Shirt Waist DressBy James GalanosLocated in New York, NYGalanos, silk weave, geometric pattern, belted shirtwaist, dress, in charcoal with a metallic geometric pattern. The dress has a stand up collar and a hidden front zipper closure . T...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Shamask Silk Plissé SheathBy Ronaldus ShamaskLocated in New York, NYRonaldus Shamask, black, silk plissé, simple, dolman sleeve, long, sheath, having a boat neckline. C. early 80's.Category
1980s American Sheath Dresses
- Norman Norell Wool Boucle Day DressBy Norman NorellLocated in New York, NYNorman Norell, black, wool boucle, day dress, having a scoop neckline, short puff sleeves, a fitted princess line bodice and a slightly dropped waist.Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Sonia Rykiel Dot Pattern Chiffon ShiftBy Sonia RykielLocated in New York, NYSonia Rykiel black and white, dot pattern, long sleeve, Georgette shift dress. Simple straight silhouette with a v neckline having a skirt underpinning of ...Category
1990s French Shift Dresses
- Courrèges Belted LBDBy André CourrègesLocated in New York, NYAndré Corrèges, black, silk, heavy crepe, belted dress having a deep V neckline and pleated accents from the shoulder to the waist. There is an off centered curved slit detail at the...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Vintage EMANUEL UNGARO Boutique 1980s DAISY Black Parallele PARIS Dress XS/SBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Asheville, NCUngaro Boutique, Vintage 1980's, Sheer Cotton, Fully Lined, Belted, Straps Tie at Top, Five Round Buttons at Front, 2 Large Front Pockets, Daisy Floral Details on Top, Front and Bott...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
$584 Sale Price20% Off - Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968. Olive green cotton tunic features laces at the front with long cords that are run through metal grommets, to be worn op...Category
1960s French Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tagBy AlbertoLocated in Genève, CHThis vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode to Versace universe. -Lion detail in metal gold tone ...Category
1980s French Mini Dress
- Gucci by Tom Ford cherry blossom dress, SS 2003By Tom Ford for GucciLocated in London, GBThis slinky viscose cherry blossom dress was designed by Tom Ford when he was creative director or Gucci. The short sleeved version of the dress a...Category
Early 2000s European Mini Dresses
- YVES SAINT LAURENT BY TOM FORD S/S 2002 Runway Sheer Silk Two-PieceBy Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThis leopard print two piece was the opening look for Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring Summer 2002 Rive Gauche collection by Tom Ford. This elegant two-piece consists of a high waisted silk pencil skirt and a zip up sleeveless silk top in a classic leopard print. This safari inspired set features beautiful details such as the YSL logo on the right side of the front of the bodice, and also embossed on the zipper. The bodice features a deep V neckline, multiple pockets on the front and drawstrings at the sides, the back features a transparent panel...Category
Early 2000s French Twin Sets