Bill Blass Vintage Chocolate Brown Tiered Silk Party Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (US)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Style:80s 90s (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sparks, NV
- Reference Number:
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: Sparks, NV
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Vintage 1950's 50s Black Lace Nude Illusion Bombshell Wiggle Cocktail DressLocated in Sparks, NVThe perfect little black dress! Tiny nipped waist, V-neckline, and nude illusion peek-a-boo lace accents on the bodice. Short sleeves and hourglass silhouette. Rear metal zip closure...Category
1950s American Evening Dresses
- Adele Simpson Vintage Striped Ascot Bow Tie Brown Crepe Dress, 1960sBy Adele SimpsonLocated in Sparks, NVChocolate brown crepe long sleeved dress with a striped ascot bow tie at the neck by designer Adele Simpson. Rear zip closure. Partially lined. DETAILS: Partially lined Back zip cl...Category
1960s American Shift Dresses
- Krizia Vintage Braided Silk Bodice Black Formal Maxi DressBy KriziaLocated in Sparks, NVSimple but chic black maxi dress by Krizia featuring a braided silk bodice, sweetheart bustline, and spaghetti straps. 20" Front slit. DETAILS Zip + Snap Closure Fully lined i...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Maxi Dress
- Richilene Vintage 1970s 70s Brown Silk + Sequin Sheer Maxi Dress/ GownBy RichileneLocated in Sparks, NVGorgeous 1970s brown sequin vintage maxi dress in silk and tulle. Long sheer sleeves with zip closure at the cuffs. Rear zip and hook closure. Partially lined. By Richilene. This ...Category
1970s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianfranco Ferre Vintage Black Wool Silk Avant Garde Cut Out Tunic DressBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Sparks, NVBlack wool and silk avant garde tunic dress by Gianfranco Ferre. Unique avant garde shape with an asymmetric neckline and "slash" detail on the front and back shoulder. Details: ...Category
Late 20th Century Casual Dresses
- Moschino Vintage 1990s 90s Black Lace Up Grommet Sheath DressBy MoschinoLocated in Sparks, NVSimple and chic black sheath dress by Moschino. Oversized grommet detail with a lace up front. Details: Unlined Side Zip Closure Marked Size: I 46/ US 12/ F 42/ D 42/ GB 16 Color:...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Sheath Dresses
- Jackie Rogers Classic Black Satin Bias Cut DressBy Jackie RogersLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJackie Rogers classic silky black satin bias cut dress from the 1990s. The perfect black dress to dress up with jewelry and or a belt. The dress slips o...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 80s Kevan Hall Couture Black Sequin 1980s Off Shoulder Vintage Cocktail DressLocated in San Diego, CALate 1980s KEVAN HALL COUTURE black off-the-shoulder sequin dress ! Features a nude chiffon underlay with a lace nad sequin bodice. Flowy silk chiffon skirt. Boned bodice. Hidden zip...Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980S THIERRY MUGLER Black Rayon Blend Crepe Asymmetrically Draped Cocktail DreBy Thierry MuglerLocated in New York, NYTagged a European 36 1980S THIERRY MUGLER Black Rayon Blend Crepe Asymmetrically Draped Cocktail Dress With Sheer Lace Back & SleevesCategory
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Emanuel Ungaro Size 10 Black Rayon Vintage 90s Bell Sleeve Wrap DressBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in San Diego, CAChic late 90s EMANUEL UNGARO black rayon blend size 10 bell sleeve wrap dress ! Tailored bodice with a flirty skirt. Buttons up the front. Ruffle detail at center front neck, down th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Calvin Klein Collection Inside Out Black Jersey Vintage 90s Midi DressBy Calvin Klein CollectionLocated in San Diego, CASuch an amazing take on the little black dress ! CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION black jersey 'Inside Out' short sleeve midi dress ! Features unfinished seams that look like they are inside out. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye closure. The perfect black dress...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Marc Jacobs Sz 8 Black Purple Peacock Feather Print Cut Out Back Racerback DressBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Diego, CAUtterly chic Marc Jacobs Collection (Main/High Line) dress! Features purple peacock feathers printed throughout. Soft black cotton. Racerback that wraps around the waist, with hook-a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses