BILL BLASS c.1990’s Purple Yellow Wool Tweed Long Belted Overcoat
View Similar Items
BILL BLASS c.1990’s Purple Yellow Wool Tweed Long Belted Overcoat
About the Item
- Designer:William Ralph Blass
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. CONDITION: AB (see guide). Faint discoloration to lining at underarm. Only noticeable upon close examination. Please refer to images provided.
- Seller Location:Thiensville, WI
- Reference Number:Seller: EI: 012825_1/E/W1stDibs: LU54137539111
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.
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2005 "It's Only A Game" Tan Linen Full Length OvercoatBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2002 "It's Only A Game" Tan Linen Full Length Jacket Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring/Summer 2005 ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- PAULINE TRIGERE c.1980’s Blue Ivory Striped Pleated Coat Jacket Sash Scarf SetBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Thiensville, WIPAULINE TRIGERE c.1980’s Blue Ivory Striped Pleated Coat Jacket Sash Scarf Set Circa: 1980’s Label(s): Pauline Trigere Designer: Pauline Trigere Style: Full-length overcoat Color(s...Category
1980s Coats
$397 Sale Price50% Off - COURREGES c.1970’s Hyperbole Orange Belted Button Front Coat Overcoat NumberedBy André Courrèges, Courreges HyperboleLocated in Thiensville, WICOURREGES c.1970’s Hyperbole Orange Belted Button Up Detail Overcoat Numbered Circa: 1970’s Label(s): Courreges ‘Hyperbole’ -numbered Designer: Andre Courreges Style: Belted Overcoa...Category
1970s French Coats
$1,047 Sale Price50% Off - COURREGES Couture Future c.1970’s Brown Corduroy Cinched Waist Long Coat JacketBy André Courrèges, CourrègesLocated in Thiensville, WICOURREGES Couture Future c.1970’s Brown Corduroy Cinched Waist Long Coat Jacket Circa: 1970’s Label(s): Courreges Couture Future Designer: An...Category
1970s French Coats
$1,147 Sale Price50% Off - ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1999 “The Overlook” Black Gray Knit Turtleneck Poncho CapeBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1999 “The Overlook” Black Gray Knit Turtleneck Poncho Cape Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/W 1999 “The Overlook” Designer: Alexander McQu...Category
1990s Italian Capes
$1,292 Sale Price50% Off - COUTURE c.1910's Edwardian Black Peacock Blue Velvet Detail Embroidered JacketLocated in Thiensville, WIVintage c.1910's Edwardian Couture one of a kind black & peacock blue / teal wool embroidered jacket. Embroidered detail along center front, waistline, and sleeves in shades of teal,...Category
1910s Jackets
$4,132 Sale Price50% Off
- TOM FORD nude pink LEATHER CROPPED Jacket SBy Tom FordLocated in Zürich, CHTom Ford cropped jacket in nude nappa leather with heavy signature gold-tone metal zipper. Raglan sleeves with bow detail at bottom. Unlined. Has been worn once and is in excellent c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
- JM Gidding & Co Beige Wild Silk Dust Jacket USA Circa 1910Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1910 United-States JM Gidding & Co Fifth Avenue at 46th Street NY Circa 1910. Wide coat, crossed front with button ball passes with recall on the fla...Category
1910s American Cloaks
- 1990s Emanuel Ungaro Garden Flower Print Vintage 90s Silk Blazer JacketBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in San Diego, CAChic mid 90s EMANUEL UNGARO garden flower print silk blazer jacket ! Features vibrant colors of yellow, green, purple, burgundy, orange, and ivory throughout. Single button closure. ...Category
1990s Italian Blazers
- 1990s Hand Painted Silk Taffeta Sz 8 Gold Pink Ivory Regal Vintage Opera JacketLocated in San Diego, CAGorgeous 90s hand painted couture quality silk taffeta pink, ivory and gold abstract print opera coat ! Features a regal floral abstract print throughout. Gold matte button at top ce...Category
1990s American Single-Breasted Jackets
- Lace Edwardian Waistcoat Vest or Jacket Vintage Battenburg Needle Mixed laceLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful antique mixed needle lace Battenburg waistcoat from the Edwardian era. This lovely vintage coat is in very good condition but does have some separations in the p...Category
Early 20th Century American Coats and Outerwear
$495 Sale Price44% Off - Christian Dior Beige Leather Fox Trimmed JacketBy Christian DiorLocated in Krakow, PLChristian Dior Beige Leather Fox Trimmed Jacket Gorgeos item. Very good condition. Sz.36 For buyers from EU we can provide shipping from Poland. Please demand if you need.Category
2010s Jackets
$3,089 Sale Price30% Off