1980s Bill Blass Leopard Brocade Lamé Cigarette Pants
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Style:Glam (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU505614302
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: Gresham, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 1960 Oscar de la Renta Silk Print Chiffon Palazzo Pant Jumpsuit W/ Silk OverlayBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Gresham, OR1960 Oscar de La Renta, Klimt-inspired silk print palazzo pant jumpsuit with silk chiffon overlay: A fabulous mod print that evokes Gustav Klimt is layered over a silk twill jumpsuit...Category
1960s American Wide Leg Pants
- 1980s Gianni Versace Japanese-Inspired Pleated Silk Chiffon Palazzo PantsBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Gresham, ORAn avant garde 1980s Gianni Versace Japanese-Inspired pleated silk chiffon, cropped palazzo pant with textured rayon band or girdle of sorts that wrap...Category
1980s Italian Pleated Pants
- Torso Creations Hand-Woven Folkloric Poncho w Colorfully Woven Pouch PocketsBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations Hand-Woven Folkloric Poncho w Colorfully Woven Pouch Pockets: We've taken liberties with a traditional South American wool poncho and added hand-made front and back ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Salvadoran Ponchos
- 1940s Chartreuse Rayon Crepe Print Swing Dress w/ Draped Hip & Cummerbund WaistLocated in Gresham, ORA beautiful 1940s Marian McCoy chartreuse and cream abstract print coral/floral rayon crepe dress with draped hip detail, separate cummerbund belted waist, short sleeved drop shoulde...Category
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1960s Bernetti Citrine Silk Opera Coat & Dress Ensemble w Extravagant BeadworkLocated in Gresham, ORA fabulous Bernetti 1960s 2 piece evening ensemble: Citrine silk opera coat and column dress with extravagant hand-sewn beadwork and rhinestone embroi...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Torso Creations 2-Piece Apron-Front Sari Caftan w Mirrored and Embroidered BeltBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations 2-Piece Apron-Front Sari Caftan w Mirrored and Embroidered Belt: Silk sari is ombre from mauve to silver gray. Deco-patterned lame fabric trim. Sari has open side sli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Caftans
- Maison Martin Margiela Spring 2010 Haute Couture Laser Cut Leather TrousersBy Maison Martin MargielaLocated in San Diego, CARare leather trousers adorned with circular laser cuts from Maison Martin Margiela's spring 2010 Haute Couture collection. Waist: 24-26" Hip: 33-35" Inseam: 31"Category
2010s Italian Pants
- S/S 2002 Gianni Versace by Donatella Floral Beaded Runway PantsBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Concord, NCGianni Versace Couture vivid eye-catching floral printed beaded pants from the Spring Summer 2002 collection designed by Donatella Versace. Intricate beaded embellishments on the low...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pants
- Roberto Cavalli Runway Vintage Straight-Leg Pants with Tiger PatternBy Roberto CavalliLocated in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NLThese rare pants with iconic print made by Roberto Cavalli for his FW 2000 show is commonly referred to as the "tiger print." It is a bold, graphic pattern featuring black and brown ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jeans
- Celine 2000s abstract print Cropped trousers / Multiple colorsBy CelineLocated in Алматинский Почтамт, KZCeline 2000s abstract print Cropped trousers / Multiple colors Country of manufacture: France Composition: 100% viscose. Celine style: 2 1G14 / 6025 20V176025 Color: 14ML Women's cropped CELINE trousers...Category
2010s French Pants
- Gucci Suede PantsBy GucciLocated in New York, NYRare 1970's suede pants by Gucci. Waist 26 in Hips 32 in Rise 13.5 in Inseam 26 in Very Good Vintage Condition. Can accommodate sizes XS-S. Model is 5...Category
1970s Pants
- John Galliano Suede PantsBy John GallianoLocated in New York, NYStunning vintage John Galliano suede flared pants. Perfect cut for a flattering fit. Waist 30 in Rise 11 in Hips 21 in Inseam 34 in Excellent Vintage ConditionCategory
Early 2000s Pants