1990s Bill Blass 2 Tone Silk Charmeuse Dress In Mauve and Burnished Gold
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6-8 (NA)
- Style:Hollywood (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU504318561
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 PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 1940s Chartreuse Rayon Crepe Print Swing Dress w/ Draped Hip & Cummerbund WaistLocated in Gresham, ORA beautiful 1940s Marian McCoy chartreuse and cream abstract print coral/floral rayon crepe dress with draped hip detail, separate cummerbund belted waist, short sleeved drop shoulde...Category
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Bernetti Citrine Silk Opera Coat & Dress Ensemble w Extravagant BeadworkLocated in Gresham, ORA fabulous Bernetti 1960s 2 piece evening ensemble: Citrine silk opera coat and column dress with extravagant hand-sewn beadwork and rhinestone embroi...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Torso Creations 2-Piece Apron-Front Sari Caftan w Mirrored and Embroidered BeltBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations 2-Piece Apron-Front Sari Caftan w Mirrored and Embroidered Belt: Silk sari is ombre from mauve to silver gray. Deco-patterned lame fabric trim. Sari has open side sli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Caftans
- 1980s James Galanos Olive Green Lace Minidress w Sheer Lame Lace Balloon SleevesBy James GalanosLocated in Gresham, OR1980s James Galanos Olive Green Lace Minidress w Sheer Lame Lace Balloon Sleeves: Scalloped decollatage and choker neckline. Lace is layered over a body of gold lame. Figure hugging...Category
1980s American Mini Dress
- Torso Creations Canary Silk Crepe Micro-Mini Dress w Extravagant Ostrich TrimBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations Canary Silk Crepe Micro-Mini Dress w Extravagant Ostrich Trim: Tank cut neck, fully lined and zippered back. Would be perfect for any costume ball! US size 4-6.Category
1960s American Mini Dress
- 1960s Saks Fifth Avenue Cream Silk Chiffon Dress w/ Rhinestone Encrusted BodiceBy Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Saks Fifth Avenue Cream Silk Chiffon Sheath Dress w/ Rhinestone Encrusted Bodice: Heavily boned and structured bodice is entirely encrusted with rhinestones supported by tiny s...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Gertrude Arzt of Huntington (Texas) Silk/Satin Metallic Gold GownLocated in Sharon, CTA rare 1960's formal dress by important American designer Gertrude Arzt of Huntington Texas. Indian inspired overall pattern in gold thread on a satin/silk morphing color from yello...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Alexander McQueen S/S 2009 Swarovski Crystal Structured Kaleidoscope Mini DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Alexander McQueen for the Spring/Summer 2009 "Natural Dis-tinction, Un-natural Selection" collection. This particular dress was featured on the runway for that season with the print included in numerous garment designs and color palettes. Sleeveless sculptural shift dress. Multicolor kaleidoscope abstract crystal print pattern. V-slit neckline. Center front hemline slit. Large faceted Swarovski crystal embellishments in various sizes at shoulders and center back waistline. Crystals have an intentional distressed look to them, which include scratches at the surfaces, and a silver backing that highlights an aged, and raw reflective appearance. The silk blend of this garment offers a slight sheen to the material. Center back invisible zipper with single hook and eye closure. Fully lined. This dress is recognized as InStyle magazine's 2009 "100 Best Dresses...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Alexander McQueen F/W 2010 “Angels & Demons” Medieval Art Royalty Gown DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Chicago, ILFrom Alexander McQueen’s final collection, this spectacular piece features digitally printed imagery depicting Medieval religious ar...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses
- Alexander McQueen Red Black Digital Damask Patchwork Jacquard Brick Mini DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in PARIS, FRAlexander McQueen Red Black Digital Damask Patchwork Jacquard Brick Dress Sheath Mini Vintage 90's Robe Evening Party Cocktail Dress Ori...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Versace SS 1995 butterfly runway dressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBIconic and super rare dress in one of Versaces most iconic prints ever - the butterfly print. This dress in the white butterfly print was worn on the runway...Category
1990s European Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli runway gown, FW 2002By Cavalli, Roberto CavalliLocated in London, GBRoberto Cavalli silk gown as seen on the runway and in the ad campaign for the Fall Winter 2002 collection. Featuring a glittering gold and silver pa...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses