Dramatic Bill Blass Evening Gown
View Similar Items
Dramatic Bill Blass Evening Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (US)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: DSBHG_2ON137 DSBHG2ON1371stDibs: LU16122232693
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.
- 1980S AZZEDINE ALAIA Cinnamon Brown Wool Knit Turtleneck Body-Con Dress With DiBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia taged size S 1980S AZZEDINE ALAIA Cinnamon Brown Wool Knit Turtleneck Body-Con Dress With Diagonal SeamingCategory
1980s French Day Dresses
- 1950S BALENCIAGA Style Ivory & Brown Silk Duchess Satin Gown With Elaborate GolLocated in New York, NYHaute Couture grade gown. No label aside from the "Made in Spain" set in the hand finished side seam of the bodice. The bodice is beaded and embroidered with a skillful array of bead...Category
1950s Spanish Evening Gowns
- 1950S CARVEN Amber Haute Couture Silk Taffeta Handwoven Floral Ikat Cocktail DrBy CarvenLocated in New York, NY1950S CARVEN Amber Haute Couture Silk Taffeta Handwoven Floral Ikat Cocktail Dress Covered In Beaded FringeCategory
1950s French Cocktail Dresses
- MORPHEW ATELIER Black & Silver Metal Mesh Punky Crystal Studded Bustier CocktaiBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYBuilt on a vintage bustier tagged size 32b MORPHEW ATELIER Black & Silver Metal Mesh Punky Crystal Studded Bustier Cocktail DressCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Haute Couture Beaded Gown With High Slit Made From Antique IBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Haute Couture Beaded Gown With High Slit Made From Antique Indian Sari Silk Woven Metal Fibers MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entire...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1950S MAGGY ROUFF Cream & Pink Haute Couture Silk Chantilly Lace Fully EmbroideBy Maggy RouffLocated in New York, NYVery good condition for the age, some areas of discoloratioin to the lining. 1950S MAGGY ROUFF Cream & Pink Haute Couture Silk Chantilly Lace Fully...Category
1950s French Cocktail Dresses
- Gertrude Arzt of Huntington (Texas) Silk/Satin Metallic Gold GownLocated in Sharon, CTA rare 1960's formal dress by important American designer Gertrude Arzt of Huntington Texas. Indian inspired overall pattern in gold thread on a satin/silk morphing color from yello...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Alexander McQueen S/S 2009 Swarovski Crystal Structured Kaleidoscope Mini DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Alexander McQueen for the Spring/Summer 2009 "Natural Dis-tinction, Un-natural Selection" collection. This particular dress was featured on the runway for that season with the print included in numerous garment designs and color palettes. Sleeveless sculptural shift dress. Multicolor kaleidoscope abstract crystal print pattern. V-slit neckline. Center front hemline slit. Large faceted Swarovski crystal embellishments in various sizes at shoulders and center back waistline. Crystals have an intentional distressed look to them, which include scratches at the surfaces, and a silver backing that highlights an aged, and raw reflective appearance. The silk blend of this garment offers a slight sheen to the material. Center back invisible zipper with single hook and eye closure. Fully lined. This dress is recognized as InStyle magazine's 2009 "100 Best Dresses...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Alexander McQueen F/W 2010 “Angels & Demons” Medieval Art Royalty Gown DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Chicago, ILFrom Alexander McQueen’s final collection, this spectacular piece features digitally printed imagery depicting Medieval religious ar...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses
- Alexander McQueen Red Black Digital Damask Patchwork Jacquard Brick Mini DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in PARIS, FRAlexander McQueen Red Black Digital Damask Patchwork Jacquard Brick Dress Sheath Mini Vintage 90's Robe Evening Party Cocktail Dress Ori...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Bob Bugnand Sam Friedlander Aurora Borealis Sequin Paisley Mini Dress 1960s XSBy Bob Bugnand for Sam Friedlander, Bob BugnandLocated in North Attleboro, MASuch a fun cocktail dress! This vintage late 1960s designer Bob Bugnand dress is an explosion of color, with a multi-colored Indian paisley print fabric completely covered in transpa...Category
1960s American Mini Dress
- Versace SS 1995 butterfly runway dressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBIconic and super rare dress in one of Versaces most iconic prints ever - the butterfly print. This dress in the white butterfly print was worn on the runway...Category
1990s European Cocktail Dresses
$4,495 Sale Price20% Off