1970s BILL BLASS Red Purple and Brown Sequin V Neck Halter 70s Gown
View Similar Items
1970s BILL BLASS Red Purple and Brown Sequin V Neck Halter 70s Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 62 in (157.48 cm)Marked Size: 6/8 (US)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 39 in (99.06 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk and sequin
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4263099973
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.
- 80s LEONARD gold and black jersey dressBy LeonardLocated in Beverly Hills, CA80s LEONARD gold and black jersey dress. Front zipper, elastic waist with sash. Bust: 38"/ Waist is elastic : 24" and can be stretch to 36" / Lengt...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Lucie Ann 1970s Gold and Peach Metallic 70s CaftanBy Lucie AnnLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1970s Lucie Ann metallic gold and peach metallic kaftan. Fit size 4/6/8/10/12 Caftan length: 45"Category
1970s American Caftans
$556 Sale Price20% Off - 90s Richad Tyler tan leather cut out dressBy Richard TylerLocated in Beverly Hills, CARichard Tyler leather cut out spaghetti strap dress. Size: 2 Bust: 32" Waist: 30 Hip: 32Category
1990s Australian Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1980s Oscar de la renta brown silk velvet devore long sleeve dressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 1980s Oscar De La renta brown and metallic silk velvet devoré maxi dress. Size mediumCategory
1980s American Maxi Dress
- 1970s Stavropolous mauve silk print DressBy George StavropoulosLocated in Beverly Hills, CAOne of many diaphanous gowns from Stavropolous made from silk chiffon. A beautiful mix of mauve and cream with touches of orange, create the palate of colors on this beautiful gown....Category
1970s American Delphos Gowns
- 1920s Yellow and Brown Floral Print Silk DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1920s Yellow and brown floral print silk day dress. Size: 6-8 dress comes with silk beltCategory
1920s American Casual Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Mesh Nomad Ethnic Tribal Aztec Tattoo Tatouages Indian DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Collector Catwalk Mesh Transparent Sheer Nomad Ethnic Tribal Indian Western Aztec Tattoo Tatouages Long Maxi Dress Extremely rare "Tatouages" dress from Jean Paul Gaultier! Museum piece! "Tim Blanks’ Top Fashion Shows of All Time Jean Paul Gaultier, Spring/Summer 1994, October 1993: BoF’s Editor-at-Large journeys back to a show that fused Indian mysticism, 18th century silhouettes...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
$1,999 Sale Price30% OffFree Shipping - Henri Bendel 1960s Pink Silk DressBy Henri BendelLocated in Alford, MA1960s medium-weight silk shift dress in a beautiful shade of pink. The construction features a yoke at top that extends over the shoulders to form cap sleeves. The simple straight sh...Category
1960s American Shift Dresses
- Vintage Missoni 2pc Dress Purple & Copper Metallic Ruffled Top & Tiered SkirtBy MissoniLocated in Portland, ORThis is a wonderful vintage 1970's Missoni for Saks Fifth Avenue purple knit with metallic bronze lurex details. We love this outfit because you can wear each of the pieces separatel...Category
1970s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Red Camouflage Dress Pink Lurex Silk Patch Work Vintage DesignerBy J DAUPHINLocated in Los Angeles, CADesigner J Dauphin Repurposed Vintage US Military Camouflage Dress with Pink Silk and Red Satin. Gold tone vintage Brass Military Vintage Buttons fr...Category
2010s American Mini Dresses
- Red Camouflage Dress Pink Lurex Silk Patch Work Vintage DesignerBy J DAUPHINLocated in Los Angeles, CADesigner J Dauphin Repurposed Vintage US Military Camouflage Dress with Pink Silk and Red Satin. Gold tone vintage Brass Military Vintage Buttons fr...Category
2010s American Mini Dresses
- Alexander McQueen 2009 Futuristic Crystalized Print Sheath Dress -newBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Los Angeles, CAAlexander Mcqueen's Spring 2009 collection showcases the romantic, ethereal and purist side of the designer in his effort to send his message regarding the evolution of the world in ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Sheath Dresses