BILL BLASS Color Block Contrast Velvet Gown wth Sequin & Beaded Sleeves Size 6-8
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 57.5 in (146.05 cm)Marked Size: 6 (NA)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Hip: 37 in (93.98 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU481309883
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Andre Laug Navy & White Polka Dot Sequin Chiffon Gown, w/ Matching Scarf sz 4Located in Los Angeles, CAThis is a spectacular evening gown from Andre Laug. It is made of 100% silk chiffon and has clear sequins, top to bottom. The dress has long sleeves, a blouson top, fitted waist, and long pleated skirt...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Don Loper Black Long Sleeve Wool Back Zip Dress Fur Cuffs & Side Slit Size 6By Don LoperLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a very charming 1960's vintage cocktail dress from Don Loper. It is a sheath silhouette with long sleeves and real fur at the cuffs. There is piping on the princess seams. Th...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Ceil Chapman Vintage Black Long Sleeve Jersey Cocktail DressBy Ceil ChapmanLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis a fabulous 1950's vintage cocktail dress from Ceil Chapman. It is made of a soft jersey knit that is draped, blouson style on the bodice and a fitted skirt. It has a scoop neckl...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- Dorothy O'Hara 1950s Black Cocktail Dress w/ Diagonal Front Pleating Size 10-12By Dorothy O'Hara, Arnold ConstableLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a sophisticated vintage little black dress made by Dorothy O'Hara. It is made of black crepe fabric with a rayon/acetate lining, with wonderful front draped gathers for style...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- Ceil Chapman Black Ruched & Draped Cocktail Dress w/ 3/4 SleevesBy Bergdorf Goodman, Ceil ChapmanLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a highly collectible vintage piece from Ceil Chapman. It is made from a black jersey knit with a satin lining. The bodice and sleeves are ruched and the skirt is draped in th...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- Badgley Mischka Black Chiffon Dress with Gold Navy beads and leather beltBy Badgley MischkaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a fashionable cocktail dress from Badgley Mischka. It is made of black chiffon with black, silver, navy, and gold bead striped design throughout. Interior at waist to mid bus...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown 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
- 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
- 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
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
- Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns