Bill Blass Vintage Canary Yellow Silk Taffeta Ruffle Strapless Dress, 1980s
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Vintage Canary Yellow Silk Taffeta Ruffle Strapless Dress, 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (US)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6622419063
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.
- 1950s Mr. Blackwell Current Size 10 / 12 Mustard Yellow Silk Vintage 50s DressLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1950s MR. BLACKWELL mustard yellow raw silk shantung short sleeve wiggle dress! Wonder form fitting bodice features a full metal zipper up the back, with hook-and-eye closu...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
$671 Sale Price25% Off - 1970s Gay Gibson Trompe L’Oeil Lace Print Yellow Cotton Voile 70s Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic early 1970s GAY GIBSON yellow cotton voile vintage trompe l’oeil lace and flower print lightweight long sleeve belted maxi dress ! Features the perfect...Category
1970s American Maxi Dress
- 1990s Geoffrey Beene Vintage Hearts Stars Yellow Colorful Cotton 90s Shift DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in San Diego, CARare and amazing vintage GEOFFREY BEENE early 90s 'hearts and stars' 1960s 60s style yellow cotton short sleeve shift / A - Line dress! Features color...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- NWT Astier Neon Yellow + Gray + Black Novelty Print Naked Women Silk DressLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible brand new with tags ASTIER neon yellow, grey and black novelty print silk dress! Features nude women in pantyhose and high heels throughout, mixed with abstract prints. Bu...Category
2010s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s St John Canary Yellow Santana Knit Mod Crochet Vintage A Line 60s DressBy St. JohnLocated in San Diego, CATres chic ST. JOHN signature santana knit canary yellow short sleeve A-Line dress! Features the softest knit that stretches to fit. Hand crochet detail at the neck, sleeves and below...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Melo of California Orange Green Pink Flower Print Vintage 60s Sheath DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic early 60s MELO OF CALIFORNIA orange, green and pink flower print cotton sheath / wiggle dress! Features a vibrant neon orange backdrop with flow...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Junko Koshino Vintage 1980s 80s Yellow Knit Asymmetric Sweater DressBy Junko KoshinoLocated in Sparks, NVRare vintage knit dress by Junko Koshino. Asymmetric hemline and yellow, black and silver striped design. Details: Unlined Shoulder Pads Can Be Removed If Desired No Closure/ Fabri...Category
1980s Japanese Mini Dresses
- Spring 2020 Look #42 LIME SATIN STRAPLESS DRESS as seen as Selena 40 - 4By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Spring 2020 Look #42 Bright lime green stretch satin mini dress from Versace with off-shoulders design, lateral gathered detail with golden buttons embellishment. lime ...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Arnold Scaasi Off-The-Shoulder Ruched Floral-Print Cocktail DressBy Arnold ScaasiLocated in Geneva, CHOversized florals, bold colors and ruched silhouettes have flooded the collections for at least two seasons. So this genuine 80s Arnold Scaasi dress is completely in trend ! Finished...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- Bright Gianni Versace Yellow Two Piece Formal SuitBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, ITBrilliant yellow dress designed by Gianni Versace in the 1970s, of fine Italian manufacture. The original label is present inside. The dress consists of two pieces: jacket and skirt....Category
1970s Italian Directoire Style Evening Dresses
$1,310 Sale Price20% Off - Lillie Rubin Collection 700 Vintage Dress in Yellow Jersey With SashBy Lillie RubinLocated in Portland, ORThis is a lovely 1970's sunny yellow vintage maxi dress from Lillie Rubin. This fun jersey dress has a self sash and closes with a back zipper. The bodice is fitted, with a scoop nec...Category
1970s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Escada Dress in a Yellow Floral Silk Print by Margaretha Ley Size 8/10By Escada Margaretha Ley, EscadaLocated in Portland, ORThis is such a pretty Escada vintage dress, in a rich yellow silk print with beautiful tropical flowers in shades of pink, fuchsia, blue, orange and purple. The dress has cap sleeve...Category
Late 20th Century German Informal Dresses
$238 Sale Price60% Off