1960 Bill Blass Documented Floral Print Silver Brocade Gown W/Rhinestone Belt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 4-6 (US)
- Style:Gala (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5013967902
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: Gresham, OR
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1970s Missoni Silver Lame and Floral Banded Rib-Knit Maxi DressBy MissoniLocated in Gresham, ORA beautiful 1970s Missoni maxi dress in a fine silver lame rib-knit: V-neckline with wonderful floral bands reminiscent of a 1930s design surround the length of the dress. Waist is...Category
1970s Italian Evening Dresses
- James Galanos Early 50s Cocktail Dress in Wool and Silk ChiffonBy James GalanosLocated in Gresham, ORA gorgeous very early example of James Galanos' fine work. Label style indicates it was made between '51 and '55. Very simple but extremely structured wool strapless bodice and volu...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- 50s Silk Jacquard Cocktail Dress w/ Swallowtail Bow -Located in Gresham, ORA fantastic 50s silk jacquard cocktail dress in black with a floral pattern: zips up the back with a square neckline, 3/4 fitted sleeves, deep V back, a gat...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- Chanel Evening Dress with Mylar Tiled Bodice and Draped HemBy Karl Lagerfeld, ChanelLocated in Gresham, ORContemporary Chanel evening dress with black and pale fluorescent stacked mylar tiles embellishing the bodice. Long 1930s-inspired skirt silhouette with draping, pleats and a ta...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Gowns
- 1980s Murray Arbeid - London Black Velvet Gown w Gold Sequin Leaves & CrinolineLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Murray Arbeid - London Black Velvet Gown w Gold Sequin Leaves & Crinoline: Deep V-back with puffed shoulders and tapered, zip-closure sleeves. Full skirt ball gown with heavy g...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- 1960s Anita Modes Chocolate Chiffon and Crepe Dress w Turkey Feather TrimBy ANITA MODESLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Anita Modes Chocolate Chiffon and Crepe Dress w Turkey Feather Trim: Fashioned for tall girls, lined décolletage with a full flourished bow at front waist. Flirty chocolate bro...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Jane Booke Silver Cross Back Silver Slip DressLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Jane Booke Silver Cross Back Silver Slip Dress is an stunning and unique piece! It is made of 100% silk in a beautiful silver color with a very ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood metallic silver figure hugging mini dress, fw 1992By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood metallic silver lycra mini dress ▪ Figure hugging ▪ Scoop neckline ▪ Lace pattern ▪ Size Small ▪ Fall-Winter 1992Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1970s Missoni Micro Pleated Silver Floral Lurex Maxi Skirt and Top EnsembleBy MissoniLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery sweet micro pleated Missoni top and maxi skirt set from the 1970s. Metallic silver lurex with all over multi color floral print. The top features a v-neckline and short sleeves....Category
1970s Italian Evening Dresses
- 1980's Italian Designed Silver Micro Pleated Skirt with Beaded TopLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980's Italian evening set with multi colored sequin and beaded top and micro pleated silver mid calf skirt. Inspired by Mary McFadden from her Fortuny era pleated gown. The ideal wa...Category
1980s Maxi Dress
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Lilac Silver Antique Silk Lamé Gown With 1930S CrystalsBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Lilac Silver Antique Silk Lamé Gown With 1930S Crystals MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from arou...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Epic Thierry Mugler FW1986 Silver Metallic Liquid Silky Goddess Dress RareBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Berlin, BEThis Epic Goddess Dress is everything. Extremely rare Thierry Mugler creation, FW 1986 Collection. Liquid silky silver metallic dream in the most stunning fitted shape. Deep wavy V-...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns