Bill Blass Vintage Silk Blouse with an Ascot Bow Tie or Sash
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Vintage Silk Blouse with an Ascot Bow Tie or Sash
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Petite XS-S (US)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 32 in (81.28 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)
- Style:70s 80s (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Altered (not by designer). The condition is excellent with no damage. However the blouse appears to have been let out on the sides and it is visible where the seam used to be. Priced accordingly.
- Seller Location:Sparks, NV
- Reference Number:Seller: 1D-16611stDibs: LU3861813723
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 Jenny Lewis Vintage Metallic White Sequin + Pearl Beaded Dress Top/ ShirtLocated in Sparks, NVVintage 1980s heavy silk dress top/ shirt entirely encrusted with tiny beads and sequins by Jenny Lewis. Fully lined with no closure (pulls on over the hea...Category
1980s Chinese Shirts
- Escada by Margaretha Ley Vintage Striped Silk Button Up BlouseBy Margaretha Ley, EscadaLocated in Sparks, NVBrown and blue striped silk button up blouse by Margaretha Ley for Escada. Details: Unlined Shoulder Pads Can Easily Be Removed If Desired Front Button and Wrist Button Closu...Category
Late 20th Century German Blouses
- Judith Ann Vintage Mint Green Sequin and Beaded Silk Top with Sash, 1980sBy Judith AnnLocated in Sparks, NVUnworn with the original tags still attached! Shimmery mint green silk top with sequins and beadwork by Judith Ann. Matching sash and elastic hem. De...Category
1980s American Blouses
- 1960s Galanos Vintage Black Cropped Top/ Shirt/ Blouse with 3/4 Bell SleevesBy Galanos, James GalanosLocated in Sparks, NVThe perfect little black top! Vintage black wool crepe cropped top with 3/4 pleated bell sleeves by James Galanos. Unlined with rear button and snap closure. Fits like a modern size ...Category
1960s American Blouses
- Paper Thin Sheer Metallic Gold Silk Chiffon Vintage Button Up Blouse Top, 1970sBy The Silk Farm, IcinooLocated in Sparks, NVDelicate paper thin silk chiffon button up blouse top with ruffled ascot collar detail. Completely sheer. By The Silk Farm. The marked size is a vintage 8, but the blouse fits like a...Category
1970s American Blouses
- 2000s Costume National Sheer Black Short Sleeve Blouse, Top or ShirtBy Costume NationalLocated in Sparks, NVCostume National short sleeve sheer black top or blouse with rhinestone buttons and elastic smocking. Embroidered detail and keyhole front. Front button closure. Waistband, sleeve cu...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Gianni Versace "Native American" Print Silk ShirtBy Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Scottsdale, AZA very rare true piece of wearable art created by Gianni Versace, circa 1993. A beautiful Gianni Versace Silk Print in excellent condition, the "Nat...Category
1990s Italian Collars
- Roberto Cavalli Snake Print DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Scottsdale, AZIncredible 2000s dress from iconic designer Roberto Cavalli! Form fitting dress featuring a snake print with a gold metallic finish, gold toned front zipper, lightly pleated skirt with great movement and dramatic long sleeves. V-neck and pleating at the front provide a flattering fit. Leotard bottoms inside. A true show stopper, this vintage piece will pair perfectly with your favorite Tom Ford for Gucci or YSL pumps...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shirts
- Chanel Vintage Coin Print Silk BlouseBy Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis is a cool and luxe Chanel blouse you need in your collection! Made fully of a beautifully soft silk with a chocolate brown background and varying sized of gold coins with "31 RUE CAMBON" and "CC" details. Seen on celebrities like Miley Cyrus, this is a great find. This blouse is from the 1990's and is in great vintage condition with no notable flaws. There is a unique stand collar that gives this blouse a very interesting but understated design element. It features a front button closure, logo embossed cuff link style buttons at french cuff, and a patch pocket at bust. Dress this blouse up or down with ease. Dress it down with a pair of your favorite vintage denim, white t-shirt, and some Prada loafers or a Chanel mini skirt...Category
1990s Italian Blouses
- Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo Black and Gold Fleur de Lis Print Silk BlouseBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Salvatore Ferragamo long sleeve silk blouse is in a lovely fleur de lis black and gold print. This double breasted blouse is collarless and has a pleated detail near the...Category
1970s Italian Blouses and Tops
- S/S 1999 Gucci by Tom Ford Saddle Brown Ruffle Leather V-Neck BlouseBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a saddle-colored leather ruffled Gucci top, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 1999 collection, fabric versions of this top debuted on the season's runway. This ...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- S/S 1995 Gucci by Tom Ford GG Snap Avocado Green Cotton Twill Leotard TopBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a chartreuse Gucci leotard top, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 1995 collection, this top features a classic button-down shirt st...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops