BILL BLASS Size M Black Silk Shoulder Cut Out Cocktail Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: M (US)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:
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: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- GIAMBATTISTA VALLI Size XS Black & White Silk Mixed Fabrics Cocktail DressBy Giambattista ValliLocated in San Francisco, CAGIAMBATTISTA VALLI sleeveless cocktail dress comes in a black and white lace and silk taffeta fabric, full lined and more than a half invisible zipper closure at center back featurin...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- PRADA Size 10 Black Pleated Silk Lace Top Long Sleeve Cocktail DressBy PradaLocated in San Francisco, CAPRADA cocktail dress comes in black pleated silk crepe chiffon with top stitching throughout, belted waist, lace long sleeve top, and tied back neck. Made in Italy.Excellent Pre-Owne...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- GIAMBATTISTA VALLI Size 6 Black Pleated Cotton/Silk Waist Tie Cocktail DressBy Giambattista ValliLocated in San Francisco, CAGIAMBATTISTA VALLI strapless dress comes in a black pleated cotton / silk featuring a cocktail style, inner bustier, wide waist tie detail, and a side zip up closure. Made in Italy.V...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- OSCAR DE LA RENTA Size 12 Navy Silk Sleeveless Sheath Cocktail DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in San Francisco, CAOSCAR DE LA RENTA sleeveless sheath dress comes in navy blue silk faille with a scoop neckline, sheath silhouette, slim straps, and belted waist. Made in USA.Excellent Pre-Owned Cond...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- GIAMBATTISTA VALLI Size 6 Black Pleated Cotton / Silk Cocktail DressBy Giambattista ValliLocated in San Francisco, CAGIAMBATTISTA VALLI strapless dress comes in a black pleated cotton / silk featuring a cocktail style, inner bustier, wide waist tie detail, and a side zip up closure. Made in Italy.V...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- CHRISTIAN LACROIX Size 4 Beige Embroidered Silk Cocktail Shift DressBy Christian LacroixLocated in San Francisco, CACHRISTIAN LACROIX cocktail dress comes in a beige silk featuring a shift style, embroidered details, and a side zipper closure. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: 36 Measure...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- Comme Des Garçons Button-up Black Chiffon Shirt DressBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Berlin, BEComme Des Garçons Button-up Black Shirt Dress Brand: Comme Des Garçons Designer: Rei Kawakubo Collection/Year: 2000s Fabric: Cotton / Chiffon Color: Black Size: XS Japanese desig...Category
2010s Japanese Casual Dresses
- Vintage 1920's Gold Beaded Sequin Dress Flapper Dress UK 6-8 US 2-4Located in Cheltenham, GBFull of opulent original details, rendered in the most luxurious fashion, this rare 1920's piece is a beauty to behold and never again find. The rounded neckline of the dress, is fr...Category
1920s European Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1920's Black Silk Chiffon Beaded Bow Dress UK 12 US 8Located in Cheltenham, GBFull of opulent original details, rendered in the most luxurious fashion, this rare 1920's piece is a beauty to behold. On a base of black silk chiffon and embellished with glass bea...Category
1920s European Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Silk Brocade Butterfly Dress UK 8-10 US 4-6Located in Cheltenham, GBA marvel to behold, this original 1950's silk brocade dress in a vibrant shade of fuchsia pink with rose pink accents, in a wonderfully intricate butterfly pattern, is just the piece...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Late 1950's Black Christian Dior Dress UK 8 US 4By Christian DiorLocated in Cheltenham, GBThis collectible and rare late 1950's Christian Dior dress, rendered in a deep black wool crepe, showcases the iconic silhouette of the era, whilst remaining to this day a classic an...Category
1950s European Cocktail Dresses
- Chanel Resort 2013 DressBy ChanelLocated in Brooklyn, NYBehold this exquisite Chanel pale pink dress, a radiant gem plucked from the illustrious resort 2013 collection, as famously showcased on the elegant runway by none other than the ca...Category
2010s Day Dresses