1980s Bill Blass Zebra Stenciled Genuine Calf Hide Pencil Skirt
View Similar Items
1980s Bill Blass Zebra Stenciled Genuine Calf Hide Pencil Skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Style:Animal (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:stenciled calf hide
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU140303502256
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.
- 1990s Saint Laurent Black Rayon Crepe Pleated Knee-Length SkirtBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Gresham, ORA Saint Laurent black rayon crepe pleated knee-length unlined skirt. Side Zipper closure.Category
1990s French Pleated Skirts
- 1980s Emanuel Ungaro Couture Beaded and Sequined French Lace Wrap Maxi SkirtBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Gresham, ORA beautiful 1980s Emanuel Ungaro Couture French lace wrap-effect maxi skirt with beaded and sequined overlay at hip. Silk chiffon under skirt.Category
1980s French Wrap Skirts
- 1980s Bill Blass Tiger Print Stenciled Calf Fur Pencil SkirtBy Bill BlassLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Bill Blass tiger-stenciled calf fur pencil skirt. Inner grosgrain waistband. Fully lined and fabulous!Category
1980s American Pencil Skirts
- 1998 Chanel Autumn Black Wool Crepe Pencil Skirt and White Silk Ruffled CamisoleBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Gresham, OR1998 Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld black wool crepe pencil skirt, fully lined with buttoned-down back vent. Logo "CC" buttons. Size EU44. Top is a white silk chiffon sleeveless ruffled blouse...Category
1990s French Pencil Skirts
- Torso Creations 1950s-Styled Tiered Tulle Ball Skirt w Colorful RufflesBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations redesigned 1950s-inspired ball skirt in beautiful pastel candy colors. Lined to the hip with side or back zipper. 4 graduated layers of voluminous tulle with undulati...Category
1950s American Petticoats
- 1950s Cadillac Black Silk Velvet Circle Skirt w Wide Waistband & Lattice DesignBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, OR1950s Cadillac Black Silk Velvet Circle Skirt w Wide Waistband & Lattice Design: An extravagant and unusual lattice-work ribbion and ruffled design with peek-a-boo insets. Wide elast...Category
1950s American Circle Skirts
- Lanvin Hiver 2006 Black Silk Skirt with Side Button Closure.By Lanvin ParisLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLanvin black silk chiffon skirt has a velvet waist band and padded silk satin hem band, the chiffon of the skirt is draped vertically over a silk knit lining. This unique skirt close...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Pleated Skirts
- Vintage Valentino Boutique Brown Wool Skirt With PocketsBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORWe love this classic brown wool pencil skirt from Valentino Boutique. This vintage Valentino skirt came from an estate we acquired many years a...Category
1980s Italian Skirts
- Michael Kors Collection Size 12 Pink + Brown + Tan 2000s Cotton Striped SkirtBy Michael KorsLocated in San Diego, CAChic early 2000s MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION Size 12 striped cotton skirt ! Features pretty colors of pink, brown, tan and white throughout. Hidden zipper up the side with hook-and-eye c...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Vintage Liberty Print Wool SkirtBy Liberty of LondonLocated in London, GBA pretty vintage wool skirt by Liberty of London. The skirt has a cream background with a green and purple floral print. It has an elasticated wais...Category
1970s British Skirts
- 1990s Jungle Pictorial Beaded SkirtLocated in San Francisco, CA1990s pictorial black silk skreit with heavy beading account for about one-third of the entire skirt. The beads depict a few tigers and a zebra. The hem lays above the knee and the b...Category
1990s Skirts
- Vintage Guy Laroche Pleated Wool Skirt w/ Flowers + Leaves Made in FranceBy Guy LarocheLocated in San Diego, CAAdorable vintage Guy Laroche wool pleated skirt! Wonderful hues of olive greens, with red and blue flowers throughout. Buttons up the back. Can easily go from day to night. Perfect w...Category
1980s French Pleated Skirts
$360 Sale Price20% Off