1990s Bill Blass Tangerine Orange Silk Chiffon Strapless Dress with Shawl
View Similar Items
1990s Bill Blass Tangerine Orange Silk Chiffon Strapless Dress with Shawl
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. tiny water spot.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4262210213
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.
- 70s Bessie peach and brown print matte jersey maxi dressLocated in Beverly Hills, CA70s Bessie peach and brown print matte jersey maxi dress. flaws: some yellow spots on the sleeve and bodice. ( see images) This dress has been dry cleaned. Bust: 34"/ Waist: 28"/ L...Category
1970s Italian Maxi Dresses
- 1970s Zandra Rhodes Orange Print Silk Caftan and Jersey DressBy Zandra RhodesLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage Zandra Rhodes From the spring/summer 1976 Orange Silk chiffon caftan with blue silk cord and some sequins and beads. caftan comes with matte jersey slip. The slip fit size 2/...Category
1970s British Kaftans
- Yves Saint Laurent By Tom Ford Tangerine Silk Blouse and Skirt setBy Tom Ford, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Beverly Hills, CABeautiful summer Yves saint Laurent By Tom Ford. Sleeveless V neck blouse with dozens button and slightly flair skirt. Perfect for Beach cocktail party. Fit size 4/6 US Medium size B...Category
Early 2000s French Summer Dresses
- Vintage 1980s Bill Blass Red and Black One Shoulder Sequin GownBy Bill BlassLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 1980s Bill Blass Red and Black One Shoulder Sequin Gown sequin one gown with slit on the side. Sexy and Fun Vintage cocktail dress. B:...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Black V Neck Fitted DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Fitted Black Halter V neck Dress. Front zipper with adjustable velcro belt at the back. Dress has some strecth. Fit size 2/4 Small Bust: 32 inch - 34 inch Wa...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- 1930s Blue and Silver Metallic Crepe Bias Cut DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CABeautiful 30s Bias Cut Blue crepe gown in silver thread. Metal size zipper. Dress comes with belt ( see belt condition) size 6-8 Medium Bust: 34 - 37” Wai...Category
1930s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- Badgley Mischka Collection Coral Jersey Cut-Out Sides Long Dress NWT Size 4By Badgley MischkaLocated in Palm Springs, CAA sexy slither of a dress designed by the team of Badgley Mischka for the collection label. (higher end). Cut-out sides above waist show a hint of skin. Flattering draped sides on wa...Category
2010s Chinese Cocktail Dresses
- A French Pleated Printed Silk Crepe Dress Circa 1970Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1970 France Elegant timeless dress in printed silk crepe by an anonymous French designer dating from the 1970s. Straight dress with long sleeve a...Category
1970s French Casual Dresses
- Gianni Versace " versus" 1990s vintage matching belt orange cotton mini dressBy Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Antwerp, BEThis is a 90s vintage Gianni Versace "versus" gold snap front button closure, gold western collar tips made of orange linen mini dress with its original m...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
$456 Sale Price40% Off - Vintage Galanos Couture 1970s Peach Salmon Silk Chiffon Flowy 70s DressBy James Galanos, GalanosLocated in San Diego, CARare late 70s JAMES GALANOS Couture peach / light pink salmon silk chiffon cut-out dress ! An insane amount of work went into the construction of this beauty. Tailored bodice with hidden zipper up the back. Sheer cut-out panels look fantastic with movement. Gold seashell buttons at each sleeve cuff...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
- Philippe Venet Haute Couture Cocktail DressBy Philippe VenetLocated in Geneva, CHRare 70's Philippe Venet haute couture marigold silk dress. Fully lined in a refined matching silk, the dress features an internal belt and closes with a zip, hook and eye at the bac...Category
1970s French Cocktail Dresses
- Guy Laroche Haute Couture Silk Dress, Spring-Summer 1967By Guy LarocheLocated in Geneva, CHA fantastic piece of haute couture, this Guy Laroche dress is perfect for either daytime events or, after a quick change of shoes and accessories, a cocktail wear too ! Constructed i...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses