Bill Blass Size 10 Vintage Ivory White Silk Satin Strapless Dress, 1990s
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Size 10 Vintage Ivory White Silk Satin Strapless Dress, 1990s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 10 (US)Waist: 30 in (76.2 cm)Hip: 44 in (111.76 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6623401633
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.
- Michael Kors Collection Off White Ivory Size 2 / 4 Grommet Bell Sleeve DressBy Michael KorsLocated in San Diego, CAEarly 2000s vintage MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION off-white / ivory long bell sleeve grommet dress ! Features a tailored bodice with silver grommets aro...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$1,000 Sale Price20% Off - Pauline Trigere 1960s Ivory Off White Sleeveless Vintage Wool A - Line 60s DressBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s PAULINE TIRGERE off-white / ivory sleeveless A-line wool dress ! Features a v-neck with a tailored bodice and slightly flared skirt. Hidden metal zipper up the back with h...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Geoffrey Beene for Bergdorf Goodman Size 10 Ivory Off White Wool DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in San Diego, CAI had this chic vintage GEOFFREY BEENE for Bergdorf Goodman dress once, and it sold right away ! There are so many details that went into designing this dress. Intricately placed ple...Category
Late 20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Lisa Howard Vintage White Lace 1960s 60s Rhinestone Buttons Tiered Shift DressLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1960s LISA HOWARD white French lace tiered nude illusion dress, with rhinestone buttons! Features two layers of white lace, with a nude illusion ...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1950s Lilli Diamond Ivory Off - White French Lace Vintage 50s Wiggle DressBy Lilli DiamondLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1950s LILLI DIAMOND ivory French lace wiggle dress! Wonderful fit hugs the body in all the right places, and was constructed to really fl...Category
1950s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s R & K Originals Ivory Off White Silk Jacquard Sleeveless Cocktail Dress 60Located in San Diego, CAChic 50s vintage R&K ORIGINALS ivory / off-white silk jacquar sleeveless Dress! Features a luxurious silk jacquard floral silk. Fitted bodice with a forgiving full skirt. Two bows at...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Lanvin white grecian style washed silk crystal embellished wedding dress gownBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Paris, FRLanvin Paris Collection Blanche Resort 2011 A beautiful floor length grecian style loose fitting ivory gown with crystal embellished waist band that would w...Category
2010s Wedding Dresses
- Valentino 18 white aztec leopard print crepe cady low cut silk gown dress IT 38By ValentinoLocated in Paris, FRValentino Resort 2018 floor length dress in leopard print motif developed in collaboration with artist Sandra Rhodes Print in Burgundy, pink and green...Category
2010s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Jean Colonna vintage SS 1998 asymmetric floral partly transparent jersey dressLocated in Antwerp, BEVerlaine Vintage presents a Jean Colonna asymmetric floral dress from the spring-summer 1998 collection. A piece that epitomizes Jean Colonna's minimalist sensuality, this dress has an interesting asymmetric design. The left side is constructed with a regular long sleeve, while the right side is sleeveless and the neckline functions as a shoulder strap. The designer explored this concept in several of their mid-'90s collections. The piece is crafted from an unusual technical jersey (71% viscose, 21% nylon) with a floral print that would look right at home in a vintage 70s interior...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Vintage 1978 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Ivory Red Print Silk Dress & ShawlBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous Yves Saint Laurent ivory dotted red-clover print silk dress ensemble from his 1978 spring/summer collection. Such a rarity to find all three pieces together! The dress is so chic with the shoulder buttons and short puff-sleeves. I adore the matching ruffle-trim shawl wrap which is a stunning statement piece on it's own. The flattering nipped waist sash...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Vintage 1978 Yves Saint Laurent YSL Haute Couture Ivory Print Silk Dress & ShawlBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Beverly Hills, CABreathtaking Yves Saint Laurent designer dress ensemble from his 1978 Spring/Summer collection. Such a rarity to find all three pieces togeth...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Pierre Balmain 1950s Haute Couture Cream Jacquard Two Piece Bridal SetBy Pierre BalmainLocated in London, GBThis timeless 1950s New Look style Haute Couture two piece by Pierre Balmain is in impeccable condition with exceptional line and form. The soft cream jacquard fabric is embossed wit...Category
1950s French Vintage Bridal Gowns