1980s Bill Blass Silk Floral Print Strapless Pouf Dress
View Similar Items
1980s Bill Blass Silk Floral Print Strapless Pouf Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 4 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU50450072
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.
- Christian Dior Late '50s Silk Brocade Cocktail Dress w/ ShoesBy Christian DiorLocated in Gresham, ORAn stunning Christian Dior Original from the late 1950s in two color coral and fuschia floral brocade. Features a wrap style blouson bodice and gathered full skirt. The belt is shape...Category
1950s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Amen Wardy Orange Knife-Pleated Goddess Gown with Jeweled Neckline & WaistBy Amen WardyLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Amen Wardy Orange Knife-Pleated Silk Crepe Goddess Gown with Jeweled Neckline & Waist: Empire waistline, back zipper, fully lined. Up to a US si...Category
1960s American 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 Karl Lagerfeld, ChanelLocated 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
- 1980s Murray Arbeid - London Black Velvet Gown w Gold Sequin Leaves & CrinolineLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Murray Arbeid - London Black Velvet Gown w Gold Sequin Leaves & Crinoline: Deep V-back with puffed shoulders and tapered, zip-closure sleeves. Full skirt ball gown with heavy g...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Ascot 40th Anniversary Gown S/S 2008 Sz 2By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Full length orange floral silk evening gown with feminine flowing ruffles. The dress was on the Spring/Summer 2008 40th Anniversary runway show. This is...Category
Early 2000s American Evening Dresses
- Abayah as a Dress, manner of PoiretLocated in Sharon, CTAs a dress in the manner of Poiret. Silk with gold thread. Slit tapestry technique. Tablet Weaving.Category
Early 20th Century Syrian Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace Knit Colorblock DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAColorblock knit long sleeve dress. Rear zipper. Stretchy knit. Made in Italy. *Condition: excellent vintage condition. No visible flaws. Measurements Taken Laying Flat (inches)— S...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- PRADA orange silk ELEPHANT PRINT Sleeveless Cocktail Dress 44By PradaLocated in Zürich, CHPrada SS'17 elephants tent dress in orange, purple, pink, and white silk (100%). With pleats from the right shoulder, drawstring around the hemline and zipper slits on the sides that...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- rare MOSCHINO Couture! 2014 Junk Food Potato Chip ruffle one shoulder gown dressBy MoschinoLocated in Hong Kong, NTrare MOSCHINO Couture! 2014 Junk Food Potato Chip ruffle one shoulder gown dress IT40 S Reference: TGAS/B02190 Brand: Moschino Designer: Jer...Category
2010s Ball Gowns
- DSQUARED2 red orange ruche drape dart puff sleeve big shoulders dress IT44 LBy Dsquared2Located in Hong Kong, NTDSQUARED2 red orange ruche drape dart puff sleeve big shoulders dress IT44 L Reference: TGAS/A03249 Brand: Dsquared2 Material: Cotton Color: Red Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Extra Det...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses