Bill Blass Velvet and Satin Tulip Skirt Belted Gown
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Velvet and Satin Tulip Skirt Belted Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:velvet, satin
- Condition:excellent.
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120325501311
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.
- 1960s Imperial Wool Knit Striped Sequin Cocktail Dress in Easter PastelsLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Imperial pale pink wool knit striped sequin cocktail dress in Easter pastels with zippered cuffs and back.Category
1960s Hong Kong Cocktail Dresses
- Incredible 1940s Nylon Jersey Swing Dress In A Spectacular Chartreuse and FloralLocated in Gresham, ORAn incredible 1940s iconic swing style dress with uber 1940s styling details: square-cut neckline that begs for some coordinating dress clips, high structured shoulder pads for that ...Category
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Gianfranco Ferre Ecru French Lace and Horsehair Braid Strapless GownBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Gresham, OR1990s Gianfranco Ferre ecru French lace and horsehair braid structured strapless gown with bodice peek-a-boo sections formed by serpentine braid work. Overlay lace wrap front with h...Category
1980s French Evening Gowns
- James Galanos Early 50s Cocktail Dress in Wool and Silk ChiffonBy James GalanosLocated in Gresham, ORA gorgeous very early example of James Galanos' fine work. Label style indicates it was made between '51 and '55. Very simple but extremely structured wool strapless bodice and volu...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
Price Upon Request - 50s Silk Jacquard Cocktail Dress w/ Swallowtail Bow -Located in Gresham, ORA fantastic 50s silk jacquard cocktail dress in black with a floral pattern: zips up the back with a square neckline, 3/4 fitted sleeves, deep V back, a gat...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
Price Upon Request - Chanel Evening Dress with Mylar Tiled Bodice and Draped HemBy Chanel, Karl LagerfeldLocated in Gresham, ORContemporary Chanel evening dress with black and pale fluorescent stacked mylar tiles embellishing the bodice. Long 1930s-inspired skirt silhouette with draping, pleats and a ta...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Gowns
- Vintage 1950's Neymar Couture Duchess Satin & Beaded Gown UK 4 US 0Located in Cheltenham, GBA once in a lifetime piece, this original 1950's Neymar Couture duchess satin gown, in the most sumptuous shade of cream, showcases true craftsmanship i...Category
1950s Ball Gowns
- Extremely Rare Mariano Fortuny Cotton DelphosBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis extraordinarily rare dress is made of finely pleated white cotton. Few cotton pleated Fortuny dresses have been documented and survived.
Named after a Greek clas...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - Jean Paul Gaultier Junior Bird Tropical Feather Electrical Mandala Runway DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJEAN PAUL GAULTIER Junior VINTAGE Bird Tropical Feather Mandala Electrical Print Bodycon Bustier Rare Collector Pencil Dress Black and cream electrical print bodycon dress from Je...Category
1990s French Mini Dress
- Rare Dolce e Gabbana Floreal Set S/S 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Venezia, ITRare Dolce e Gabbana Floreal Set Dress + top S/S 1997 - NO RETURNSCategory
1990s Italian Summer Dresses
- Chanel champagne sequins dress F/W 2001 FR 40By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL dress F/W 2001 collection A-line dress in beige melange tweed and champagne sequins; on the front martingale belt with logo buttons; short sleeve; zip on the back. Size Fr 40...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Late 60s vintage Maggy Rouff long trapeze dressBy Maggy RouffLocated in L'ESCALA, ESRare and beautiful vintage long dress from the late 60s early 70s by Maggy Rouff. Orange, white and green chevron patterns on a frog green backgroun...Category
1960s French Maxi Dress