Bill Blass 60s Over-The-Top Paisley Lamé Gown w/ Ostrich Trim
View Similar Items
Bill Blass 60s Over-The-Top Paisley Lamé Gown w/ Ostrich Trim
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:metallic lamé paisley brocade, Ostrich feathers, lurex filament
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120219501256
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 Galanos Silk Dress in a Hounds Tooth Plaid W/ Matching Wool Jacket & ScarfBy James Galanos, GalanosLocated in Gresham, ORA lovely 1980s Galanos wool houndstooth jacket and Galanos silk mini dress in a novelty hound's tooth window pane plaid pattern (black, tan and oxblood palette). Includes matching si...Category
1980s American Mini Dresses
- 1990s Michael Casey Silk Ombre Botanical-Patterned Strapless Gown W/ TrainBy Michael CaseyLocated in Gresham, ORA lovely 1990s Michael Casey silk ombre botanical-patterned silk chiffon strapless gown with ruching and gathering at bodice. Asymmetrical delicate bronze ...Category
1990s American Evening Gowns
- Torso Creations Red Silk Chiffon Caftan Heavily Embroidered W/ Gold & SequinsBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations Red Silk Chiffon Caftan Heavily Embroidered W/ Gold & Sequins. One of a kind and uniquely fashioned from vintage red silk chiffon sari fabric in the style of Thea Por...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Caftans
- Luis Estévez 60s Brown Chiffon Cocktail Dress w/ Rhinestone TrimBy Luis EstévezLocated in Gresham, ORA wonderful60s Luis Estévez chiffon cocktail dress with voluminous sheer chiffon sleeves caught up at the cuff with rhinestones! Double layered chiffon over an underskirt flutters a...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
Price Upon Request - 1990s Michael Casey Couture Gold Lame Goddess Gown W/ Halter Neck & Deep VBy Michael CaseyLocated in Gresham, ORA glorious 1990s Michael Casey Couture gold silk lame goddess gown with structured and boned bodice, halter closure and a plunging neckline held ...Category
1990s American Evening Gowns
- 1960 Harold Levine Olive Silk Satin & Peach Silk Chiffon Empire Corset GownBy Harold LevineLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Harold Levine Empire-waist olive green silk satin bodice gown with peach silk chiffon flowing skirt. Inner corset structure in bodice. Velvet ribbon straps added but could poss...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1930's Pleated & Ruched Amber Satin Dress UK 10 US 6Located in Cheltenham, GBA beauty to behold, this original 1930's satin dress rendered in the most sumptuous shade of amber satin, is the perfect statement piece for your special occasion wardrobe. The rou...Category
1930s Evening Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Claret Delphos. Provenance Tina ChowBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated claret colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. The beads are amber glass with...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Sienna Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated sienna colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Rare Shell Pink Long Sleeved Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYDescription: This dress is made of finely pleated shell pink colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon RequestJohn Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Slip Dress FW 2003By Christian DiorLocated in London, GBVintage John Galliano for Christian Dior Fall Winter 2003 pink paisley slip dress. Features spaghetti straps, side button closure and midi length...CategoryEarly 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
$3,839 Sale Price20% OffPaco Rabanne Made in Paris Cocktail DressBy Paco RabanneLocated in Sharon, CTScalloped layers of material, fully line. zipper on side. Fits American size 4-6Category1980s French Cocktail Dresses