Bill Blass Pink Tropical Print Mini Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 4 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4069222867942
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: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Victor Costa Green Stripe Dress, Circa 1980sBy Victor CostaLocated in Brooklyn, NYVery pretty dress! Kelly green cotton dress with multi colored horizontal stripes. large balloon sleeves with elastic shoulders and cuffs. Scoop neck bodice, fitted waist & full skir...Category
1980s American Day Dresses
- Lilly Pulitzer Lime Green Mini Dress, Circa 1990sBy Lilly PulitzerLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage lime green and white mini dress. sheath silhouette with sweetheart neckline. cut out flower pattern midriff. adjustable spaghetti straps. woodland creatures hidden in leafy f...Category
1990s American Day Dresses
- Suzy Perette Pink Shift Dress, Circa 1960sBy Suzy PeretteLocated in Brooklyn, NYâ—‹ 1960s Suzy Perette pretty pink dress! â—‹ shift silhouette â—‹ round collar â—‹ 3/4 length bell sleeves â—‹ dress falls to knee length â—‹ fully lined in pink silk taffeta â—‹ back metal zip c...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Halston Burnt Orange Ultrasuede Dress, Circa 1970sBy Halston, Roy Halston FrowickLocated in Brooklyn, NYIconic vintage Halston ultrasuede shirt dress. notch collar. long sleeves. loose fitting silhouette. 5 button closure. âś© Roy Halston is credited with bringing the ultrasuede fabric ...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- Paul Louis Orrier Tricolor Silk DressBy Paul-Louis OrrierLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage silk dress by French designer Paul Louis Orrier. Soft micro pleated silk in a uniquely gorgeous color combo of Cognac brown, Olive green, and Violet purple. High Collar. Long...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Georgia Charuhas Bohemian Mexican Maxi Dress, Circa 1970sLocated in Brooklyn, NY1970s maxi dress by Mexican designer Georgia Charuhas. fit & flare silhouette scoop neck, pin-tucked bodice lace trim throughout crochet ruffled cuffs back zip closure âś© This dress ...Category
1970s Mexican Maxi Dresses
- 1990's Dolce & Gabbana Black Nylon Slip DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Austin, TX1990's Dolce & Gabbana Black Nylon Slip Dress Excellent condition Nylon fabric Made in Italy Size S/M Bust: 28"-38", Waist: 25"-36", Hips: 41"-54", Length: 44.5"Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- CHANEL 06P yellow Coco No 5 CC logo heart print V neck mini shift dress FR38 MBy Chanel, Karl LagerfeldLocated in Hong Kong, NTrare CHANEL 06P yellow Coco No 5 CC logo heart print V neck mini shift dress FR38 M Reference: TGAS/D00454 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 06P Material: Polyamide,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Casual Dresses
- Pamela Roland 15 strapless silk ivory cream jacquard cape layered gown dress US6By Pamella RolandLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage I think this has to be the most breathtaking wedding dress I have come across so far and really I don't believe even the pictures do it justice - unfortunately my paper just wasn't large enough to shoot the full train in all its glory or how the cape flows beautifully as you walk. I have tried my best to photograph it in as many ways as I can, and to include several with movement so you can see just how wonderfully the fabric falls and moves. Follow the store on Instagram @bylovelali Pamella Roland Spring Summer 2015 bridal wedding gown...Category
2010s American Wedding Dresses
- Missoni long blue and green viscose DressLocated in Carnate, ITMissoni dress. In viscose, wool and nylon. Very particular workmanship of the last part of the skirt. Italian size 42. Bust 38 cm Waist 36 cm Length 144 cm Second hand item but excel...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
- White cotton chemise dress with smocks sleeves Dries Van Noten New with tagBy Dries van NotenLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRWhite cotton chemise dress with smocks sleeves. Pockets opening on both side with one button and buttonhole closure ( but no pocket lining) Split on both side. One extra button prov...Category
2010s Indian Chemise Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Brick Wall Fight Against Racism Runway 1997 Fall Winter DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRStunning vintage Jean Paul Gaultier dress, documented and shown here on the Fall/Winter 1997 runway. This dress features an iconic and well-known graphic brick print that has graffit...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses