Bill Blass Vintage Terra Cotta Tan Linen Dress w/ Bow and Criss Cross Back
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Vintage Terra Cotta Tan Linen Dress w/ Bow and Criss Cross Back
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6621315103
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 Galanos Couture 1970s Peach Salmon Silk Chiffon Flowy 70s DressBy James Galanos, GalanosLocated in San Diego, CARare late 70s JAMES GALANOS Couture peach / light pink salmon silk chiffon cut-out dress ! An insane amount of work went into the construction of this beauty. Tailored bodice with hidden zipper up the back. Sheer cut-out panels look fantastic with movement. Gold seashell buttons at each sleeve cuff...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Does 1970s Bright Orange Beads Crepe Chiffon Handkerchief Hem Halter DressLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing 90s does 70s bright orange beaded handkerchief hem crepe chiffon halter flamenco style maxi dress gown ! Features a plunging neckline with hundreds of hand-sewn beads in hot pink, yellow, green, turquoise beads...Category
1990s American Evening Gowns
- Vintage Stephen Burrows Orange Matte Silk Jersey Chiffon Abstract Print DressBy Stephen BurrowsLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful and rare vintage STEPHEN BURROWS matte silk jersey and chiffon orange / marigold maxi dress ! Features a jersey bodice with a tiered ...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- 1980s Holly’s Harp Peach Pink Tiered Long Sleeve Vintage 80s Silk Dress MediumBy Holly HarpLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful early 80s HOLLY’S HARP peach tiered long sleeve silk dress ! Signature Harp style with shoulder pads and rosette at center bust. Sleeve cuffs have button closure. Wonderful warm colors of green, yellow and purple abstracts...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s James Purcell Yellow Size 8 Stunning Vintage 80s Origami Fan DressBy James PurcellLocated in San Diego, CAAbsolutely incredible vintage James Purcell yellow dress! Features origami like fan bust, with a full skirt. Attached sash can be worn a number of ways. There was an impressive amoun...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- Incredible 1970s Asian Themed Bright Orange Vintage 70s Novelty Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible 1970s Asian themed novelty boho maxi dress! Features a vibrant bright orange, with prints in a brighter orange and red orange throughout. Ties at back top neck with zipper...Category
1970s Maxi Dresses
$580 Sale Price20% Off
- Moroccan Orange Kaftan Maxi Dress Caftan Size LargeLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan orange color with embroidered trim, circa 1970s. Caftan Gown, Tangerine Round contrast neckline; button-loop placket. Long bell sleeves. Relaxed silhouette. Straight skirt and hem. This long maxi dress kaftan trim is embroidered and embellished entirely by hand. One of a kind evening Moroccan Middle Eastern dress...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
$360 Sale Price20% Off - Badgley Mischka Collection Coral Jersey Cut-Out Sides Long Dress NWT Size 4By Badgley MischkaLocated in Palm Springs, CAA sexy slither of a dress designed by the team of Badgley Mischka for the collection label. (higher end). Cut-out sides above waist show a hint of skin. Flattering draped sides on wa...Category
2010s Chinese Cocktail Dresses
- A French Pleated Printed Silk Crepe Dress Circa 1970Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1970 France Elegant timeless dress in printed silk crepe by an anonymous French designer dating from the 1970s. Straight dress with long sleeve a...Category
1970s French Casual Dresses
- ALEXANDER'S c.1960's Deep Goldenrod Sequin Embellish Mod Sleeveless Shift DressLocated in Thiensville, WIVintage c.1960's Alexander's deep goldenrod knit shift dress. Sleeveless with round neckline. Abstract green sequined detail on front wrapping around lower back of dress. Black trim...Category
1960s Italian Shift Cocktail Dresses
- EMILIO PUCCI c.1960s Orange Abstract Signature Print Jersey V-Neck Dress Size 10By Emilio PucciLocated in Thiensville, WIVintage c.1960s Emilio Pucci orange, pink, brown, gold, and ivory abstract signature print silk jersey dress. Empire waist. V-neckline at front. Three-quarter length sleeves. Above t...Category
1960s Italian Empire Waist Dresses
- Gianni Versace " versus" 1990s vintage matching belt orange cotton mini dressBy Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Antwerp, BEThis is a 90s vintage Gianni Versace "versus" gold snap front button closure, gold western collar tips made of orange linen mini dress with its original m...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
$456 Sale Price40% Off