Bill Blass Black Silk Gown with Rhinestone Straps and Details, 1960s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU22824152871
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: Toronto, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1960s Anonymous Black Long Sleeve Gown with Polka Dot Net Overlay and Gold SashLocated in Toronto, OntarioGorgeous black long sleeve gown from the 1960s. The label is from Stanley Korshak, a famous upscale ladies boutique in Dallas whose heigh day was from ...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- 1980s Black Velvet Vicky Tiel Cocktail Dress with Royal Blue BodiceBy Vicky TielLocated in Toronto, OntarioWELCOME BACK 1980's! Black velvet Vicky Tiel cocktail dress with a sexy sweetheart style neckline, a favourite look for Vicky Tiel, and a ruched royal blue velvet front bodice with s...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Black Velvet and Tulle DressLocated in Toronto, OntarioAnonymous 1980s black velvet drop waist dress with tulle skirt. The bodice has black shoulder straps and darts at the bust. Fitted through the body...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Raffaella Curiel 1980's Black Strapless Cocktail Dress with RosesBy Raffaella CurielLocated in Toronto, OntarioFun 1980s Raffaella Curiel strapless, drop waist cocktail dress. Black ruched bodice with scalloped rose printed layered skirt and bust detail. Small bl...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Ferre Navy Fuzzy Lurex Top and SkirtBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Toronto, OntarioUnique Ferre ensemble from the 1980s. A black tie take on the classic Rugby jersey, the top is made from a shimmery lurex fabric and has black and navy horizontal stripes. Accented w...Category
1980s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1960s Black Lace Cocktail Dress with BowLocated in Toronto, OntarioBlack 1960s lace drop waist cocktail dress with the label Anita Modes. The sleeveless dress has a full black lace overlay with an added hem detail. Large bl...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Nipon Boutique Black Velvet Halter Dress with Satin Ribbon Size US 6By Albert NiponLocated in New York, NYNipon Boutique black velvet cocktail dress with satin ribbon trim and bows tied at neck and back. Flirty six paneled dress body with flared bottom. Fu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses
- 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
- Valentino Boutique Black Beaded Silk Chiffon Evening Gown Size US 6By ValentinoLocated in New York, NYLuxurious Valentino Boutique black silk evening gown with tiered ruffles, sweeping hemline and hand beaded and embroidered bodice. Two ruffles at bodice are hand beaded with tiny jet...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford FW-02 Silk Flared Hem Dress - Velvet RibbonBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Brussels, BEFlirtation and eroticism were on American designer Tom Ford’s mind for his Fall/Winter 2002 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche collection. Using stereotypical women’s fabrics for appropr...Category
Early 2000s French Sheath Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford SS-2001 Strapless Bandage Mini DressBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Brussels, BEA highlight from the Spring/summer 2001 YSL collection. This stretchy black strapless bandage mini dress with its wraparound belt that sculpt the waist ...Category
Early 2000s French Mini Dress
- Rare CEIL CHAPMAN 1950s Vintage Black Satin COUTURE Cocktail Dress XS/SBy Ceil ChapmanLocated in Asheville, NCCeil Chapman, 1950's Era, Pleated Front and Back Panels, Front Bow, Open Top Puff Sleeves with Bows on Ends, Round Neck, Bone In Front and Sides, Back Zipper, Hook and Eye Black Clos...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses