Bill Blass Black & White with Floral Print Silk Scarf
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Length: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Place of Origin:Italy
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk and silk chiffon
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU1312192471397
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Hermes "Limited Edition" "Invasion Of Creatures On Metro" Silk Jacquard ScarfBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Wonderfully Wicked yet Whimsical (Waiting List) "Limited Edition" MultiColor "Invasion of Creatures on Metro" Silk Jacquard scarf accented with fine hand-rolled edges, ...Category
1990s French Scarves
- Iconic Norman Norell Black & White Signature Silk ScarfBy Norman NorellLocated in New York, NYIconic Norman Norell Black & White Signature Silk scarf accented with Hand-rolled edges, measures 26 inches by 26 inches. Made in Italy.Category
1980s Italian Scarves
- Turquoise Florals Among Jaguar ScarfLocated in New York, NYWonderfully vivid, this turquoise with soft yellow highlights jaguars among the jungle. Finished edges and measures 34 inches by 35 inches. Made in Italy, of poly.Category
1980s Italian Scarves
- Huge Wool Challis of Deep Navy Border with Violet and Golden Floral ShawlLocated in New York, NYThis extremely huge wool challis of deep navy borders surrounding violet and golden floral center accented with fringed edges, measures 52 inches by 52 inches. Made in France.Category
1990s French Shawls
- Beautifully Elegant Shades of Lavender & Violet Silk HandkerchiefLocated in New York, NYThis beautifully elegant handkerchief in shades of lavender and violet accented with hand-rolled edges and measures 16 1/2 inches by 16 1/2 inches. Made in Italy.Category
1980s Italian Handkerchiefs
- Huge Deep Plum Borders "Tie Dye" Silk Crepe di Chine ScarfLocated in New York, NYExtremely huge scarf of deep plum borders surrounding "Tie Dye" silk crepe di chine with hand-rolled edges, measures 42 inches by 42 inches. Made in France.Category
1990s French Shawls
- Patek Phillipe Cashmere ScarfBy Patek PhilippeLocated in London, GBCharming Patek Phillipe Cashmere Scarf, in hues of blue with a crimson and green floral design. Colour: Red/ Blue / Green Composition: 100% Cashmere ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Scarves
- 1960 Irene Of New York Fluorescent Floral Print Tufted Turban & Foulard Size MBy Irene of New YorkLocated in Gresham, OR1960 Irene of New York fluorescent floral print turban hat and matching foulard / neck scarf ensemble: In shades of pink, lavender and green. Size Medium. Originally sold at I. Magnin.Category
1960s American Hats
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN black & white silk chiffon STRIPED RED SKULL ScarfBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen striped skull chiffon scarf in black and white silk (100%) with details in red. Has been worn with some barely noticable snags. Overall in excellent condition. Wid...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Scarves
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN blue purple silk chiffon ROSE PRINT ScarfBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen rose print chiffon scarf in purple silk (100%) with pink, blue and green details. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Width 1...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Scarves
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN white silk twill SNAKE SKULL BANDANA ScarfBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen Snake Skull bandana scarf in white silk twill with details in black, grey and red and white beads in the corners. Has been worn and is ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Scarves
- Carlo Zini Grey Swan Feathers StoleBy Carlo ZiniLocated in Gazzaniga (BG), ITBeautiful and chic Carlo Zini stole Swan feathers Grey color Total length about cm 170 (66.92 inches) Maximum height cm 38 (14.96 inches) Worldwide expres...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Scarves