Bill Blass Vintage Bronze Silk Strapless Gown
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Vintage Bronze Silk Strapless Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 55 in (139.7 cm)Marked Size: 4/SMALL (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:silk
- Condition:EXCELLENT.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU1303214267
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.
- 1970s Silk Jersey Multi Color Abstract Print Maxi dressLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1970s Multi Color ( purple, pink, blue , and yellow ) abstract print silk jersey dress with long sash. Dress can be worn 2 way see pictures attached. You can style it as Halter dres...Category
1970s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- 90s Gianfranco Ferre White Silk V Neck Sleeveless GownBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Beverly Hills, CA90s Gianfranco Ferre White Silk sleeveless gown with v neck satin lapel. Size: 40italy, fit size 6 US Perfect for wedding or rehearsal dinner.Category
1990s Italian Wedding Dresses
- 1940s Blue and Purple Floral Print Rayon DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage Blue and Purple Floral Print Rayon Cocktail Dress with purple sequins. Perfect dress for summer rehearsal wedding dress. Dress has side zipper and belt with buttons at the ba...Category
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
$680 Sale Price20% Off - 80s blue beaded sheer dressLocated in Beverly Hills, CA80s blue beaded sheer dress. Size: 4/6 Bust: 36"/ Waist: 36"/ Hips: 38"/ Length: 48"/ sleeve length: 23"Category
1980s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Purple Multi Color Floral Print Silk Chiffon Dress with Blouse SetBy Nieman MarcusLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1970s Neiman Marcus made in france Floral print in purple, yellow, green and orange Silk crepe 2 pcs spaghetti strap dress with blouse. Size: 4 for Dress/ Blouse fit size 6-8 Measure...Category
1970s French Maxi Dress
- 90s Comme des garcons white cotton and knit dressBy Rei Kawakubo, Comme des GarçonsLocated in Beverly Hills, CA90s Comme des garcons white cotton and knit dress with standing collar. Size:6/8 Bust: 38" / waist: 34" / Hip: 38" Length: 40" ***dress has some pulle...Category
1990s Japanese Casual Dresses
- Antik Batik Pink Silk Leather Kaftan Blouson DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAntik Batik women's vintage short dress. Powder pink color, 100% silk, applications sewn by hand 100% leather. V-neckline, elasticated waist belt, lined. 1...Category
1990s Indian Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Alberta Ferretti Gray Cotton Vintage Off Shoulder DressBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Brindisi, BtAlberta Ferretti 90s vintage off shoulder dress. Short dress with sweetheart neckline, gray with white stitching. Zip closure along the chest, on th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Comme des Garcons Coveted 2011 Hybrid Vintage Scarf DressBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CARei Kawakubo's "Hybrid Fashion" collection of F/W 2011 features asymmetric ruched, twisted and draped dresses on a background, showcasing a colorful display of multiple vintage silk scarves. Rei has incorporated her longtime personal collection of scarves into this unique, vintage scarf dress...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Capri, ITVersace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Nina Ricci White Cotton Blend Lace Dress FR36By Nina RicciLocated in Brossard, QCLined with silk for a luxurious feel, nina ricci's cotton-blend lace dress is a fantasy of a frock. The snow-white colour, flocks of texture at the hem and a-line silhouette make it...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- Moroccan Floral White Kaftan Maxi Dress Caftan Size LargeLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan white floral embroidered with gold trim, circa 1970s. This long maxi dress kaftan trim is embroidered and embellished entirely by hand. One of a kind evening ...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
$520 Sale Price20% Off