Stunning Vintage Bill Blass Lipstick Red Strapless Silk Mermaid Dress / Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 52 in (132.08 cm)Marked Size: Small (US)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU662867542
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Mollie Parnis 1970s Red + Pink + Gold Silk Chiffon Flower Print 70s GownBy Mollie ParnisLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous vintage 1970s MOLLIE PARNIS red, pink and gold gown / maxi dress! Tailored high neck bodice with a forgiving and flattering full skirt that features a red velvet bow belt. Long semi sheer sleeves with hidden snaps at each cuff. Pink and red hibiscus...Category
1970s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Michael Kors Collection 2010 Runway Size 4 / 6 Rose Petal Red + Black Mini DressBy Michael KorsLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION rose petal print asymmetrical mini dress! Anyone who has ever owned an MK Collection dress knows how this legendary American designer really knows h...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Kamehameha Hot Pink + Orange Paisley Print Short Sleeve Vintage Maxi DressLocated in San Diego, CAMake a fun statement in this rare 60s KAMEHAMEHA original Hawaiian short sleeve maxi dress caftan! Soft cotton blend fabric, with a incredible paisley prints. Vibrant colors of hot p...Category
1960s American Maxi Dresses
- 1990s Louis Feraud Cranberry Red Strapless Vintage 90s Silk + Wool Gown DressBy Louis FeraudLocated in San Diego, CAStunning 1990s LOUIS FERAUD cranberry red silk and wool strapless evening gown ! Features a warm cranberry color with a slightly iridescent woven checkered print. Fully lined. Hidden...Category
1990s German Evening Gowns
- Extraordinary Patrick Kelly 1980s Vintage Red BodCon Mermaid Dress w/ Tulle HemBy Patrick KellyLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing, and fabulous vintage Patrick Kelly 80s dress! Red cotton velveteen with a long sleeve body con fit! Layers and layers of wonderful red silk tulle at hem, that jets out, crea...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Galanos Lipstick Red Poppy Print Silk Strong Shoulder Vintage 80s DressBy Galanos, James GalanosLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing mid 1980s JAMES GALANOS for Neiman Marcus lipstick red poppy flower print long sleeve strong shoulder dress ! S a lipstick red luxurious silk, lined in silk chiffon. Black an...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Autumn 1995 Chanel Magenta Boucle DressBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioVintage Chanel bright magenta boucle dress from the Autumn 1995 collection. Sleeveless with a v neckline and a very classic straight shape. Detailing at w...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Christian Dior by John Galliano red wool crepe dress with mink fur trim, fw 1999By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior winter dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Red wool crepe ▪ Ribbed wool trim ▪ Mink fur collar with knot detail ▪ Large wood buttons at ...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990S Alaia Salmon Red Rayon Blend Stretch Dress With Pleated Ruffle Hem XLLocated in New York, NY1990S Alaia Salmon Red Rayon Blend Stretch Dress With Pleated Ruffle Hem XLCategory
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960S GEOFFREY BEENE Coral Silk Mod Sheath DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in New York, NY1960S GEOFFREY BEENE Coral Silk Mod Sheath DressCategory
1960s American Day Dresses
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld red cashmere wool and faux fur dress, fw 2010By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel red cashmere wool knee-length dress ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Faux 'fantasy' fur skirt and sleeves ▪ Funnel neck backed with brown lambskin leather ▪ Two front pockets...Category
2010s French Day Dresses
- Azzedine Alaïa red ribbed knit fishtail dress. Sculpted figure. Circa 1990By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Bilbao, ESAlaïa ribbed knit fishtail evening dress with nude knit underdress and zip fastening at the rear. Spring-Summer Mid 1990 Alaïa is revered for his indepe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses