Bill Blass Flower Applique Silk Dress 1980s
View Similar Items
Bill Blass Flower Applique Silk Dress 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 12 (US)Waist: 31 in (78.74 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 41 in (104.14 cm)
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5116493001
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.
- Courreges Color Block Dress 1970sBy André Courrèges, CourrègesLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous navy and off white color block silk blend dress from Courreges. It is sleeveless, semi fitted with a small stand up collar. It has an off white yoke pointed in the front...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Bill Blass Lace Trim Navy Silk Dress 1990sBy Bill BlassLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful navy blue silk dress from Bill Blass. It is semi fitted with a sweetheart neckline and 12" slits on each side at the hem. The neckline, hem and slits are finished with de...Category
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Helmut Lang New Dress with Sequins 1990sBy Helmut LangLocated in Water Mill, NYA great navy blue dress by Helmut Lang. It is a simple crew neck sheath with a square black sequin covered center front panel from neckline to bust. It is unlined and has snaps clo...Category
1990s French Sheath Dresses
- Versace Color Block Dress with StudsBy VersaceLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous dress from Versace in purple and black silk jersey. It is sleeveless, semi fitted with a purple front panel and with insets of black along one side and front hem covered ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Thierry Mugler Color Block DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful body conscious purple dress trimmed in black velvet by Thierry Mugler. It has short sleeves, a sweetheart neckline and is semi fitted with princess seaming through to th...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Alexander McQueen New Silk Backless Dress S/S 2008By Alexander McQueenLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous fuchsia purple silk dress from Alexander McQueen. It is sleeveless with a slit at the center front neckline and hip pockets incorporated into the clever front seaming. The dress back has a deep V cut...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Pink Ascot Dress & Jacket S/S 2008 Sz 4By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Flirty pink and black dress with matching jacket. This dress was featured on the Spring/Summer 2008 40th Anniversary ...Category
Early 2000s American Informal Dresses
- Vivienne Westwood indigo cotton jersey dress printed dress, ss 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood dress ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Constructed from indigo cotton jersey ▪ Neoclassical print inspired by Andre-Charles Boull...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- S/S 1998 Gianni Versace by Donatella Ad Asymmetric Blue Purple Sheer DressBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an asymmetric Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1998 collection, this multi-pattern dress features two layers. The interi...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 2002 Gianni Versace by Donatella Runway Sheer Purple Strapless Quilted DressBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a purple print quilted strapless Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Donatella Versace. This gorgeous dress debuted on the Fall/Winter 2002 runway as look number 30,...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 1996 Gianni Versace Couture Purple Satin Yellow Lace Rhinestone Slip DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning yellow and purple satin Gianni Versace Couture dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1996 collection, this gorgeous dress debuted as part of l...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 2004 Versace by Donatella Versace Purple Tiger One Shoulder Buckle DressBy Donatella Versace, VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a vibrant purple tiger print Versace dress, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Fall/Winter 2004 collection, the same print in yellow/orange debuted on looks 8 and 11. This beautiful deep purple dress...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses