Bill Blass 1980s Blue Turquoise Size 6 Polka Dot One Piece 80s Swimsuit Bodysuit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU66220064322
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1960s Gottex Black Sheer Cut - Out Sexy One Piece 60s Vintage Swimsuit BodysuitBy GottexLocated in San Diego, CASexy and rare 1960s GOTTEX black one piece swimsuit or bodysuit with sheer cut-out sides! Features a high neck with an open back. Black on black polka dot print. Semi sheer cut-outs ...Category
1960s American Swimwear
- 1960s Tina Leser Mod One Piece Vintage Playsuit Romper 60s Swimsuit FlowersLocated in San Diego, CARare early 60s TINA LESER one piece cotton play suit, roper swimsuit! One of the many great aspects about this piece is that it can be worn for so many diffe...Category
1960s American Swimwear
- Yves Saint Laurent Size 12 / 14 Vintage Sexy Hot Pink + Black One Piece SwimsuitBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT hot pink and black plunging halter one piece swimsuit or bodysuit! Features a flattering ruched bodice with a plunging neckline. Plastic clasp at top ...Category
Late 20th Century French Swimwear
- 1980s Bill Blass Navy Blue and White Vintage 80s One Piece Swimsuit BodysuitBy Bill BlassLocated in San Diego, CAChic late 80s BILL BLASS navy blue and white nautical inspired one piece swimsuit or bodysuit ! Gold logo BB embossed buttons up the front and at each side of the waist. Perfect for...Category
1990s American Swimwear
- Vintage Cole of California 1980s Pink Red Rose Print One Piece Swimsuit BodysuitBy Cole of CaliforniaLocated in San Diego, CAPretty vintage early 80s COLE OF CALIFORNIA pink, red and black rose print racerback one piece swimsuit or bodysuit! Features an allover print of ro...Category
1980s American Swimwear
- Bill Blass Vintage Cut Out 1990s Pink Red Polka Dot One Piece Bodysuit SwimsuitBy Bill BlassLocated in San Diego, CASexy 90s does 60s BILL BLASS pink and red polka dot cut-out one piece monkini swimsuit or bodysuit! Features an op-art polka dot print with mini dots on...Category
1990s American Swimwear
- Balmain Yellow and Brown Striped Silk ScarfLocated in New York, NYLength: 34” inches Height: 34” inches Material: not listed, feels like silk Condition: vintage( slight staining) Brianna’s Measurements: Height: 4”9 inches Bust: 29.5” inc...Category
1990s Swimwear
- Gianni Versace S/S 1992 Starfish Seashell Print Plunge Back Swimsuit BodysuitBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Versace Mare swimsuit by Gianni Versace for the Spring Summer 1992 collection. Same swimsuit was featured on the runway for that season. Features ...Category
1990s Italian Swimwear
- Christian Dior Miss Diorella Trompe L'oeil Shiny Wet Look Jeans Stamp SwimsuitBy Christian DiorLocated in PARIS, FRChristian Dior Miss Diorella Trompe L'oeil Shiny Wet Look Denim Jeans Stamp One-Piece Swimsuit Christian Dior by John Galliano Miss Diorella Trompe...Category
Early 2000s Beachwear
- Circa 2000s Blumarine Brown BikiniBy BlumarineLocated in Rochester, GBVintage y2k Blumarine bikini in brown with gemstone ‘B’ for Blumarine detailing. Drawstring style bikini top for adjustable fit and tanga style bikini bottoms. Authenticity label to ...Category
Early 2000s Bikinis
- Moschino 80s Cut Out SwimsuitBy MoschinoLocated in Rochester, GBIconic vintage yellow and hot pink swimsuit by Moschino from the from the early 2000s in a cut out 80s style. Featuring a bow waistband which can be worn up for a cut out effect, or ...Category
Early 2000s Swimwear
- Escada SwimsuitBy EscadaLocated in Los Angeles, CALook stylish and feel confident at the beach in our Escada dead stock (never worn) teal and dark blue swimsuit. Adorned with a sea shell print and mesh detailing, this one-piece nylo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swimwear