Bill Blass Ethereal Floral Chiffon Dress with Sweeping Angel Sleeves Sz 10 1970s
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Ethereal Floral Chiffon Dress with Sweeping Angel Sleeves Sz 10 1970s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 45 in (114.3 cm)Marked Size: 10 (US)Bust: 35 in (88.9 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Style:Contemporary (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Altered (not by designer). Small hole and spotting at front skirt, hard to see with busy print. It appears dress has been hemmed to make it shorter (14" hem attached to inner lining).
- Seller Location:Port Saint Lucie, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: Bill Blass Angel Sleeve Dress1stDibs: LU40721491163
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.
- Vintage Dress Knit Bobette Imports France Black Gold Lurex Tricot Long Sleeve 10Located in Port Saint Lucie, FLVintage knit dress by Bobette Imports France, likely made in the late 60s. Made from black and gold metallic Lurex knit, it features a mod Moroccan-inspired pattern throughout, with rear zip and hook/eye fastener and peasant sleeves...Category
1960s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Mini Dress Mod Metallic Brocade Retro Box Pleats 1960s Cocktail DressLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLSparkle like a diamond in this vintage cocktail dress, made by Original Jr. Theme, most likely in the 1960s. Made from a fabulous metallic brocade fabric in gold and silver against...Category
1960s American Mini Dress
- Donald Brooks Boutique Maxi Dress with Metallic Diamond Pattern Vintage 70s XSBy Donald BrooksLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLVintage Donald Brooks Boutique Metallic Diamond Pattern Maxi Dress with zip front and large front vent, likely made in the early 70s. Made from a black & silver metallic or Lurex fab...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Bellville Sassoon Lorcan Mullany Cocktail Dress Silk Velvet Little Black DressBy Bellville SassoonLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLAuthentic, preowned, vintage Bellville Sassoon Lorcan Mullany black woven silk bodice cocktail dress, likely made in the 90s. Made from silk...Category
1990s British Cocktail Dresses
- Bob Mackie Halter Dress and Feather Trim Evening Jacket 2pc Set Rare Vintage 70sBy Bob MackieLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLAuthentic, preowned, vintage Bob Mackie x Ray Aghayan 2-piece halter evening gown with matching feather trim cropped jacket, likely made in the 1970s. The halter dress is floor length and made from a bronze-hued metallic or lame' abstract animal print, which shimmers and shines in certain light! The matching cropped jacket fastens with three golden buttons and is trimmed at the collar and sleeves with gorgeous over-the-top feathers! An early design by Bob Mackie and Ray Aghayan...Category
1970s Unknown Evening Gowns
- Vintage Halston Halter Dress Silk Wrap Style Attached Angel Sleeve Capelet 70sBy HalstonLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLFabulous vintage Halston evening or cocktail dress, likely made in the 1970s. This chic little black dress is made from gorgeous black silk, and features a halter top with an attache...Category
1970s American Evening Dresses
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Ascot 40th Anniversary Gown S/S 2008 Sz 2By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Full length orange floral silk evening gown with feminine flowing ruffles. The dress was on the Spring/Summer 2008 40th Anniversary runway show. This is...Category
Early 2000s American Evening Dresses
- Abayah as a Dress, manner of PoiretLocated in Sharon, CTAs a dress in the manner of Poiret. Silk with gold thread. Slit tapestry technique. Tablet Weaving.Category
Early 20th Century Syrian Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace Knit Colorblock DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAColorblock knit long sleeve dress. Rear zipper. Stretchy knit. Made in Italy. *Condition: excellent vintage condition. No visible flaws. Measurements Taken Laying Flat (inches)— S...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- PRADA orange silk ELEPHANT PRINT Sleeveless Cocktail Dress 44By PradaLocated in Zürich, CHPrada SS'17 elephants tent dress in orange, purple, pink, and white silk (100%). With pleats from the right shoulder, drawstring around the hemline and zipper slits on the sides that...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- rare MOSCHINO Couture! 2014 Junk Food Potato Chip ruffle one shoulder gown dressBy MoschinoLocated in Hong Kong, NTrare MOSCHINO Couture! 2014 Junk Food Potato Chip ruffle one shoulder gown dress IT40 S Reference: TGAS/B02190 Brand: Moschino Designer: Jer...Category
2010s Ball Gowns
- ACLER bright orange silky keyhole draped raglan puff sleeves mini dress US2 XSLocated in Hong Kong, NTACLER bright orange silky keyhole draped raglan puff sleeves mini dress US2 XS Reference: AAWC/A00418 Brand: Acler Material: Polyester Color: Or...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Cocktail Dresses