Bill Blass Sequined Evening Skirt
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Sequined Evening Skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 43 in (109.22 cm)Marked Size: 10 (US)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU441235562
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.
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Patch Pocket Midi SkirtBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche, navy blue cotton, midi skirt, having a gathered waist, center front button closures going down to the hem and large patch side pockets.Category
1970s French Skirts
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Wool Challis 70's Midi SkirtLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, wool challis, plaid motif, midi skirt, having a gathered waist with an elastic waist band and a deep gathered flounce with velvet trim detail. Hidden...Category
1970s French Skirts
- Rochas Floral Evening SkirtBy Olivier TheyskensLocated in New York, NYOlivier Theyskens, for Rochas, floral pattern, silk, evening skirt, having a flat banded waist, and deep, gathered, flounce starting at the knee and going down to the floor. Lovely s...Category
Early 2000s Italian Ruffled Skirts
- Adolfo Crystal Pleated Silk Maxi SkirtBy AdolfoLocated in New York, NYAdolfo, red, chiffon, crystal pleated, bias cut maxi skirt, having a matching self tie at the waist.Category
1970s American Pleated Skirts
- Yves Saint Laurent Skirt With Ric Rac DetailBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche, orangey-red, cotton, gathered skirt with black ric rac trim detail at the hem. C. 1970's Deep hidden pockets by the hips.Category
1970s French Skirts
- John Galliano Fitted Grid Pattern Wool CoatBy John GallianoLocated in New York, NYJohn Galliano, black and ivory, fitted wool coat, having a grid pattern in an ivory tone mohair on a black wool ground. Coat details include, medium ...Category
1990s French Coats
- Giorgio Armani Black Rayon Crepe Skirt Size EU40 / US 6By Giorgio Armani Le CollezioniLocated in New York, NYGiorgio Armani Le Collezioni flirty little black skirt with draped open front that flows from fitted waistband. Fabric is a soft rayon ble...Category
1990s Italian Skirts
- Joseph Belted Sash Black Skirt Size UK LBy JosephLocated in New York, NYThis is a skirt full of delightful surprises. It moves with you. Hidden slits and flaps, wrapped belted waist gives a variety of options for styling. The long sash belt allows for...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Bulgarian Skirts
$500 Sale Price28% Off - JUNYA WATANABE COMME DES GARCONS Leather Pleated SkirtBy Junya Watanabe Comme des GarçonsLocated in Berlin, BEAmazing pleated black leather skirt by Japanese designer Junya Watanabe. The luxurious leather skirt is made form a soft leather - it is fitted at the waistband and pleated at the b...Category
2010s Japanese Pleated Skirts
- 1990's vintage Moschino cheap & chic mini skirtBy Moschino, Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR1990's vintage Moschino cheap & chic mini skirt . It is in perfect condition with no damages. 92% Cashmere 6% Nylon. Runs true to size. matching coat available on the store. Sizes ...Category
1990s Pencil Skirts
- Margiela Wrap Skirt Black Line 4 Medium/One SizeBy Maison Martin MargielaLocated in Los Angeles, CAMargiela Wrap Skirt in Black Line 4 - Woman's garderobe (since Spring/Summer 2004) Size and fabric tag missing, feels like crisp vintage poly, nice and durable Open sizing, adjustabl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrap Skirts
- Richard Tyler Brocade Jacquard Metallic Skirt IT40 1990's XS/SBy Richard TylerLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Richard Tyler Skirt 1990's SZ IT40 GB 10 US 6 (Fits very small, model is size 2 and it is tight) Flat Measurements Waist 13.25 Inches Hips 18 Inches Length 21 Inches Bro...Category
1990s Pencil Skirts