Sensational Vintage Bill Blass Marigold Yellow Silk Chiffon Gown / Dress Size 14
View Similar Items
Sensational Vintage Bill Blass Marigold Yellow Silk Chiffon Gown / Dress Size 14
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 14 (US)Waist: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6621442993
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 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
- 1970s Burnt Orange Patchwork Flowers Boho Vintage 70s Jersey Autumnal Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing 1970s burnt orange patchwork flowers and leaves jersey maxi dress! Features a rich autumn burnt orange base color. Diamond shaped patchwork on the front with flowers and leav...Category
1970s American Maxi Dress
- Size 14 NWT Vintage Ripetta Roma $4, 200 Neiman Marcus Marigold 1990s Silk DressLocated in San Diego, CANew with original $4,200 price tag from NEIMAN MARCUS! Beautiful vintage 90s RIPETTA ROMA marigold yellow silk short sleeve dress! Features textured silk....Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$1,732 Sale Price23% Off - 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 - 1960s Chic Sorbert Orange Chiffon Ruffle Neck Vintage A - Line 60s DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s Sorbert orange chiffon overlay ruffle detailed dress! Features a fitted tailored bodice, with a forgiving flattering full skirt. Full metal z...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
$545 Sale Price20% Off - 1960s Isabell Gerhart Sherbet Coral Demi Couture Beaded Chiffon 60s Gown DressBy Isabell GerhartLocated in San Diego, CAStunning vintage 60s ISABELL GERHART of Houston sherbet / coral pink colored chiffon beaded sleeveless evening gown! Fitted beaded bodice, with layers...Category
1960s 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
- Michael Hoban Tribal Leather Tank Dress, 1980sBy Michael HobanLocated in Scottsdale, AZChannel the best of the 1980s in our Michael Hoban leather tank dress! Solid black leather bust with tribal like patchwork pattern on the bottom in shades of orange, teal, blue and b...Category
1980s American Mini Dress
- Alaia Spring-Summer 1996 beaded lemon knit cocktail sequin dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBAzzedine Alaia Spring-Summer 1996 beaded lemon knit cocktail sequin dressCategory
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1970s Halston Inspired Multicolor Sequin GownLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the 1970s Halston Inspired Multicolor Sequin Gown – a stunning homage to the era of disco glamour and sophistication. This sleeveless gown is a work of art that seamlessl...Category
1970s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Cushnie Et Ochs Tangerine Orange Stretch Satin Jersey Mesh Paneled Gown SLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Ditch those traditional mundane dresses and go for a glam, statement-making style with this Cushnie Et Ochs gown. Made from fine quality materials, the gown has mesh panels on the si...Category
2010s American Evening 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