Bill Blass Swimsuit - 1980s Vintage - Red & Navy Lycra - Faux Pockets + Buttons
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 10 - (Fits - UK 10) (US)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 30 in (76.2 cm)Hip: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:- Red Seersucker Lycra Swimsuit - Navy Plain Lycra Knicker - Gold Button Detail - x 2 Front Faux Pockets
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:KENT, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2174211643762
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: KENT, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- 1950s Vintage Swimsuit - Graffiti Print - Overskirt Detail + Padded Breast CupsLocated in KENT, GBProduct Details: 'Graffiti' Print Swimsuit inc Overskirt Detail & Padded Breast Cups Label: Unknown Era: 1950s Vintage Fabric Content: Printed Stretch Jersey Size: UK 10/12 Bust: ...Category
1950s American Swimwear
- Paul Howie Dress - 1980s Vintage - Lycra - Panel DetailingLocated in KENT, GBProduct Details: Neon Red & Turquoise Blue - Lycra Dress Label: Paul Howie Era: c.1980 Fabric Content: Lycra Mix Size: UK 10 Bust: 32/40" Waist: 25/32" H...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses
- 1950s Vintage Jumper - Hand Knitted - Puff Sleeve DetailLocated in KENT, GBProduct Details: Hand Knitted Sweater - Back Button Detail - 3/4 Length Sleeves - Puff Sleeve Detail - Contrasting Black Knitted Bow Effect / Front Sweater Label: Unknown Era: c.1950...Category
1950s British Pullovers
- Janice Wainwright Backless Gown - Embroidered Detailing + Draped Open BackBy Janice WainwrightLocated in KENT, GBProduct Details: Janice Wainwright Backless Gown / Evening Dress - Embroidered Neck + Sleeve Detailing - Draped, Backless Tie Fasten Detail - Batwing Sleeves - Drawstring & Tie Waist...Category
1970s British Evening Gowns
- Moschino Jeans Dress - Denim - Halter Neck Collar + Backless Strap DetailBy Moschino, Moschino JeansLocated in KENT, GBProduct Details: Moschino Jeans - Denim Halter Neck Dress - Button Through Backless Strap Detailing - Knee Length - Gathered Front Neckline Detail - Back Pocket + Moschino Tab Label: Moschino Jeans Size: US 12 (Fits UK 8 to UK 12) Fabric Content: Dark Blue Denim / Cotton + Elastane Mix Stretch Bust (Underarm to Underarm Across): 37 to 40 inches Stretch Waist Circ: 31 to 35 inches Stretch Hip Circ: 38 to 41 inches Stretch Hem...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Isabel Marant Jumpsuit - Gold Lame - Two Way CollarLocated in KENT, GBProduct Details: Isabel Marant - Gold Lame Jumpsuit - Two Way Collar - Elastic Waist + Double Tie - Two Way Collar - Roll Up Sleeves - x 2 Side pockets -...Category
2010s French Jumpsuits
- 1990s Gucci by Tom Ford Exotic Print Pin Bloomer Silk TrousersBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in London, GBStunning unseen Gucci by Tom Ford silk trousers, exotic tropical print wide leg bloomer design, Gucci logo print, Made in Italy, 100% silk Size: ...Category
1990s Italian Wide Leg Pants
- 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
- 1930S Red Orange Rayon Bathing Suit With Buttons SwimsuitLocated in New York, NY1930S Red Orange Rayon Bathing Suit With Buttons Swimsuit RomperCategory
1930s Swimwear
- Dolce & Gabbana SPring 1992 Onepiece SwimsuitBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Prague, CZA stunning never worn swimsuit with beautiful embellishments from the iconic Dolce & Gabbana collection. Size IT 42, would fit sizes S and M, cups are padded and would fit sizes 34...Category
1990s Swimwear
- 1960s Psychedelic Printed Bathing/Sun SuitLocated in San Francisco, CALate-1960's Psychedelic printed bathing/sun suit with neon pinks, reds, and oranges on polyester jacquard textile. This bathing suit/cover-up features a built...Category
1960s Beachwear
- Halston 1970s Brown Rust H Logo Buckles Two Piece Vintage 70s Bikini SwimsuitBy Halston, Roy Halston FrowickLocated in San Diego, CAAnother 1970s HALSTON brown / rust two piece bikini swimsuit ! This is one of five swimsuits from a halstonette model herself. Ivory colored lucite buckles in the signature H shape. ...Category
1970s American Bikinis