1980's BILL BLASS iridescent bronze cloque skirt
View Similar Items
1980's BILL BLASS iridescent bronze cloque skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 23 in (58.42 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU814159701
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.
- 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA cinnamon semi sheer skirt with contrasting trimBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CACinnamon colored semi sheer skirt with contrasting diamond knit detail from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Fits a size XS or S. Approximate unstretch...Category
1990s French Pleated Skirts
- SACAI black and blue lace wrap skirtBy SacaiLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack and blue lace wrap skirt with black slip from Sacai. No size is indicated however this is most likely a '1'. Skirt was not clipped on size 2 mannequin. Approximate measurements...Category
2010s Japanese Flare Skirts
- HOMMA draped black wool skirtLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black draped wool skirt designed by Homma. Japanese size 3. Approximate measurements: waist 28" and length 33-35". Zip and button closure at side of waist. Fabric content: 100% w...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Skirts
- 2000's JIL SANDER black cotton twill circle skirtBy Jil Sander, Jil Sander by Raf SimonsLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack cotton twill circle skirt by Jil Sander dating to the 2000's. Size M. Skirt was not clipped on French size 36 mannequin. Approximate measurements: waist 26.5" and length 35". M...Category
1990s Italian Flare Skirts
- AZZEDINE ALAIA black leather skirt with pleated hemlineBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, butter-soft leather skirt with beautiful contours and pleated hemline by Azzedine Alaia dating to the early 2000's. Very clever double zipper entry follows the line of the...Category
2010s French A-Line Skirts
- 1990's ROMEO GIGLI black gauze broomstick skirtBy Romeo GigliLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack cotton gauze broomstick stick skirt designed by Romeo Gigli dating to the 1990's. Italian size 42. Approximate measurements: waist 25.5", band width above knees 36" and overall...Category
1990s Italian Skirts
- Alaïa nude pink knitted texturized viscose A line knee length flare skirtBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Milano, ITAlaïa Y2K nude pink knitted texturized viscose A line knee length flare skirt (XS) Back zip and hook & eye closure Unlined 95% viscose, 5% nylon Size XS, check the measurements bel...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Circle Skirts
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford SS-02 Cotton Laced Safari Skirt with Leopard TrimBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Brussels, BEThe sexy pencil skirt was a piece that Carine Roitfeld, Tom Ford’s longtime stylist and former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief, made quite popular in the early noughties. Roitfeld was obsessed with the rigor and discipline of uniforms, but she kept looking for ways to add eroticism to strictly tailored clothes. This military-inspired skirt -with its sensual trim of leopard print chiffon- was an obvious choice for her and hasn’t lost any of its relevance. This is a version of skirt Look 2 as seen on the runway spring/summer 2002, ready-to-wear, model Rie Rasmussen 100% cotton in savana Leopard trim...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pencil Skirts
- VINTAGE 1970’S MISSONI wool tweed A-Line Skirt - Never been WornBy MissoniLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AUVintage MISSONI Wool tweed skirt from the 1970's. Never been Worn. With original tag. Beautiful tweed with cumberband waist. Size 40 Italian, Small. Made in Italy. Colour - beig...Category
1970s Italian A-Line Skirts
- Gianni Versace embroidered floral skirt with chainmail and beaded belt, fw 1999By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace, embroidered floral above-the-knee pencil skirt. Silver metal mesh chainmail waistband with turquoise hanging beads and red silk lining. Fall-Winter 1999Category
1990s Italian Skirts
- Dolce & Gabbana silk georgette Raphael painting print maxi skirt, ss 1990By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana silk georgette maxi skirt - Transfiguration Painting by Raphael (1516–1520) print - Black wool waistband - Six ribbon waist ties Spring-Summer 1990Category
1990s Italian Skirts
- Dolce & Gabbana jute hand-painted 'Sugar Baby' mini skirt, ss 1992By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Iconic Dolce & Gabbana jute mini skirt ▪ Hand painted designs ('BORN TO BE BAD!', red lips, 'SUGAR BABY!', and 'MADE IN ITALY') ▪ Large red gems ('LOVE') ▪ Fringe hemline ▪ W 27"...Category
1990s Italian Skirts