Bill Blass Pink White Polka Dot Hand Painted Fit and Flare Vintage Dress, 1990
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 37.5 in (95.25 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6622950073
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 Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage Hanae Mori Polka Dot / Pin Dot Silk Wrap DressBy Hanae MoriLocated in San Diego, CAStunning vintage Hanae Mori dress!!! 100% lined silk. Inside hook-and-eye closures. Great for the office, or a cocktail party! Fully lined. In great condition. Approximately Size Med...Category
1990s Japanese Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Gianfranco Ferre 1990s Brown + White Zebra Jeweled BodyCon Jersey DressBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage GIANFRANCO FERRE (early 90s) brown and white abstract zebra printed rayon jersey BodyCon dress! Features incredible Amber and green crystal jewels below bust. Intrica...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Amazing 1970s Gold + Silver Silk Brocade Beaded Vintage 70s Caftan Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage 1970s gold and silver silk brocade beaded Moroccan kaftan / maxi dress! Features an iridescent gold and silver with bronze beads around the collar and each sleeve cuf...Category
1970s Evening Dresses
- Chic 1920s Ivory ' Candy Stripe ' Silk Drop Waist Vintage 20s Day DressLocated in San Diego, CAIncredibly chic 1920s 20s silk vintage dress! Classic drop waist style with a side bow at the waist. Tie at neck. Ivory silk with pastel blue, pink, yellow and green vertical stripes throughout. Fantastic "Great Gatsby" style. The perfect alternative to the traditional 20s flapper dress...Category
1920s Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Victorian Inspired Pale Yellow Cotton Voile + Lace Peasant 70s Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 70s Victorian inspired pale yellow cotton voile and lace maxi dress! Features laces up the front. Semi sheer lace sleeves with fitted cotton cuffs that have zippers on each...Category
1970s American Maxi Dress
- New Rick Owens ' Queen ' F/W '04 Strapless Light Green Asymmetrical DressBy Rick OwensLocated in San Diego, CANew with tags RICK OWENS Fall/Winter 2004 "Queen" strapless asymmetrical handkerchief hem dress! Features a light green color, ribbed bust, with pockets right under. Asymmetrical hem...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Chanel champagne sequins dress F/W 2001 FR 40By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL dress F/W 2001 collection A-line dress in beige melange tweed and champagne sequins; on the front martingale belt with logo buttons; short sleeve; zip on the back. Size Fr 40...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Prada by Miuccia Prada orange silk chiffon slip dress, fw 1996By Miuccia PradaLocated in London, GB▪ Rare Prada evening slip dress ▪ Designed by Miuccia Prada ▪ Fine silk chiffon with geometric print in orange, brown and cream ▪ Sold with a matching Prada nude silk slip dress t...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Prada by Miuccia Prada brown silk chiffon slip dress, fw 1996By Miuccia Prada, PradaLocated in London, GB▪ Rare Prada evening slip dress ▪ Designed by Miuccia Prada ▪ Fine silk chiffon with geometric print in brown and cream ▪ Sold with a matching Prada nude silk slip dress to wear u...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chloe S/S10 ivory white beige chiffon silk layered sleeveless wedding dress gownBy ChloéLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Look 29 from the Chloe Spring Summer 2010 runway collection Floor length silk gown in what one would call off white/ecru, or a very pal...Category
2010s Unknown Wedding Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier watercolour print sleeveless off the shoulder midi dress MBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Paris, FRJean Paul Gaultier Maille vintage off the shoulder stretch viscose dress Graffiti print in an array of colours that include in varying shades ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Informal Dresses
- Celine Phoebe Philo cream ribbed stretch body con knitted sweater midi dressBy CelineLocated in Paris, FRCeline Phoebe Philo Resort 2017 A beautifully stretch fitted knit ribbed dress in cream as seen on Kim Kardashian Turned up hem Small slits to each cuff Midi length Wear in the day w...Category
2010s Italian Informal Dresses