1960's BILL BLASS floor length sequined gown
View Similar Items
1960's BILL BLASS floor length sequined gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 63 in (160.02 cm)Marked Size: 4-6 (US)Bust: 33 in (83.82 cm)Waist: 25 in (63.5 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:sequins, silk
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. excellent.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120227811568
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.
- 1980's LORIS AZZARO black ruched off the shoulder dressBy Loris AzzaroLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, ruched dress designed by Loris Azzaro dating to the early 1980's. Dress best fits a US size 2 (32" maximum bust). For reference mannequin measures 32" at bust, 24" at wais...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1988 STEPHEN SPROUSE black sequined dressBy Stephen SprouseLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, black sequined dress from Stephen Sprouse dating to spring of 1988. Labeled a US size 8 however this fits a smaller size (US 4-6 however please look a the measurements). ...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- YVES SAINT LAURENT by Stefano Pilati black draped caftan dressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CADramatic, jet black caftan dress with draped sides at designed by Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent dating to spring of 2009' Labeled a French size XXS although this dress is ver...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Gowns
- 1980's AZZEDLINE ALAIA black velour dress with studsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, black velour dress with studs designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to the early 1980's. Labeled a French size 42 however this was not clipped on the size 2 mannequin. Approxi...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- new 2017 SAINT LAURENT by Anthony Vaccarello black velvet RUNWAY dress with roseBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CADramatic, jet black velvet dress with long attached scarf and rose brooch detail designed by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent exactly as seen on the 2017 fall runway. Dress can b...Category
2010s French Evening Gowns
- NEW VALENTINO ruffled green velvet midi runway dress, 2016By ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CALush green velvet midi dress with ruffled neckline from Valentino exactly as seen on the fall 2016 runway. Italian size 40. Approximate measurements: bust 32-34", waist 27", hips 45"...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Adolfo Tropical Silk Jersey Strapless Dress with Half CapeletBy AdolfoLocated in New York, NYAdolfo strapless dress with bold green, indigo and white tropical floral print. Wonderfully tailored, with fitted bodice and draped open tulip front slit above the knee for movement...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10By Badgley MischkaLocated in New York, NYBadgley Mischka glamorous black silk lace evening gown, size US 10. Gown features hand beaded and embroidered lace with glass jet beading, and neckline with glass jet beads along cu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- VERSACE F/W 1993 Vintage Lace Detail Black Dress by Gianni VersaceBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Berlin, BEVersace Fall Winter 1993 Vintage Lace Detail Dress Brand: Versace Designer: Gianni Versace Collection / Year: Fall / Winter 1993 Fabric: Wool / Lace Color: Black Size: IT42 Versace's fall winter collection featured beautiful gowns with lace details. This lace detail dress is a commercial design inspired by the elaborate runway evening looks. Made from wool it features two cut-out lace details at the shoulders, and another deep V lace cut out at the back. You can wear the dress backwards and have the deep-V at the front. With a high turtle-neck neckline and a sleek silhouette this is the perfect black dress - one you will wear again and again. Size Information: Marked size IT42 Measured flat and across Bust 45cm Waist 37cm Hips 47cm Total length 95cm (measured from centre back) This vintage Fall Winter 1993 Versace wool dress...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
- GUCCI BY TOM FORD F/W 2001 Runway Satin Dress - With Original TagsBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Berlin, BEGorgeous silk satin dress designed by Tom Ford for Gucci for their Fall Winter 2001 collection. This sleek dress was number 30 on the runway. This luxurious dress is made out of a thick silk satin and features a square neckline with an open cut-out back. The fabric gives a beautiful shine and is of the highest quality. The silhouette is straight and it falls below the knee. This elegant Gucci dress is a perfect blend of sharp, minimal and chic - in classic Tom Ford style...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$2,047 Sale Price25% Off - CHRISTIAN DIOR by JOHN GALLIANO F/W 1999 Textured Knit Dress FR40By Christian DiorLocated in Berlin, BEDior by John Galliano Textured Knit Dress Brand: Dior Designer: John Galliano Collection: Fall / Winter 1999 Fabric: 80% Wool / 15% Viscose / 5% Po...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses
- EXTÈ 2000s Vintage Rare Beaded Gown New With Tags IT38By ExtèLocated in Berlin, BEBeautiful and rare feminine Extè gown from the 2000s. Very elegant and unique. The fabric hugs the body and gives a beautiful silhouette. This vintage Extè gown features a deep V ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns