1990s Bill Blass 2 Tone Silk Charmeuse Dress In Mauve and Burnished Gold
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6-8 (NA)
- Style:Hollywood (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Gresham, OR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU504318561
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: Gresham, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Torso Creations 2-Piece Apron-Front Sari Caftan w Mirrored and Embroidered BeltBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations 2-Piece Apron-Front Sari Caftan w Mirrored and Embroidered Belt: Silk sari is ombre from mauve to silver gray. Deco-patterned lame fabric trim. Sari has open side sli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Caftans
- Torso Creations Canary Silk Crepe Micro-Mini Dress w Extravagant Ostrich TrimBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations Canary Silk Crepe Micro-Mini Dress w Extravagant Ostrich Trim: Tank cut neck, fully lined and zippered back. Would be perfect for any costume ball! US size 4-6.Category
1960s American Mini Dress
- 1980s James Galanos Olive Green Lace Minidress w Sheer Lame Lace Balloon SleevesBy James GalanosLocated in Gresham, OR1980s James Galanos Olive Green Lace Minidress w Sheer Lame Lace Balloon Sleeves: Scalloped decollatage and choker neckline. Lace is layered over a body of gold lame. Figure hugging...Category
1980s American Mini Dress
- 1960s Bernetti Citrine Silk Opera Coat & Dress Ensemble w Extravagant BeadworkLocated in Gresham, ORA fabulous Bernetti 1960s 2 piece evening ensemble: Citrine silk opera coat and column dress with extravagant hand-sewn beadwork and rhinestone embroi...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- 1990s Michael Casey Couture Gold Lame Goddess Gown W/ Halter Neck & Deep VBy Michael CaseyLocated in Gresham, ORA glorious 1990s Michael Casey Couture gold silk lame goddess gown with structured and boned bodice, halter closure and a plunging neckline held ...Category
1990s American Evening Gowns
- 1960s Saks Fifth Avenue Cream Silk Chiffon Dress w/ Rhinestone Encrusted BodiceBy Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in Gresham, OR1960s Saks Fifth Avenue Cream Silk Chiffon Sheath Dress w/ Rhinestone Encrusted Bodice: Heavily boned and structured bodice is entirely encrusted with rhinestones supported by tiny s...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- F/W 1994 Gianni Versace Gold Lame Lurex Pleated Tinsel Mini Tent DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAThis eye-catching gold lame dress is from Gianni Versace's Fall/Winter 1994 collection. With chevron and pleated patterns, this gold lame dress brilliantly reflects light and will qu...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Michael Casey Silk Chiffon & Ivory Cut Velvet Strapless Gown - 10By Michael CaseyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMichael Casey Silk Chiffon & Ivory Cut Velvet Strapless Gown - 10. This gorgeous gown is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous ivory silk chiffon material, paneled velvet ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Whims of California Two Piece Pants & Maxi Vest Dress, 1960'sLocated in Atlanta, GAThis two piece pants and maxi vest by Whims of California has all the bells and whistles for chic 1960's party attire. The 100% cotton construction has the appearance of painted or ...Category
1960s American Trouser Pant Suits
- 1960s Malcolm Starr Green Pink Metallic Floral Print DressBy Malcolm StarrLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1960s Malcolm Starr Gown in Green, Pink, gold and blue print sleeveless gown. Perfect for wedding or cocktail event . Waist is encrusted with multi color jeweled. Bust: 34” / waist ...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Vick Tiel Pink Lace Beaded Strapless Gown, Circa 1980By Vicky TielLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a light pink lace strapless gown by Vicky Tiel, from the 1980's. The gown has scattered bead work throughout, a constructed bodice with boning, zipper up the back, pink satin...Category
1980s French Evening Gowns
- Ungaro Beaded Embroidered Evening Dress, Size 36FRBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRUngaro-Emanuel Ungaro Couture - Paris Bolduc: 3194-5-94 Dress composed of three red and beige silk linings fully embroidered with red beads, woven threads and raffia in a foliage and...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses