1985 Bill Blass Vintage Runway Dress Abstract Black White Evening Gown Draping
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: See Description (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:
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: Portland, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 2000s Marc Jacobs Vintage Black Taffeta Open Back Punk Inspired Evening DressBy Marc JacobsLocated in Portland, ORThis is a great vintage Marc Jacobs evening dress from the early 2000's. The dress is in an elevated, rich black taffeta with an open back that clo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Ronit Zilkha Spring 2001 Navy Blue Shimmer Dot Asymmetrical Slip DressLocated in Portland, ORThis is a really fun vintage Y2K Ronit Zilkha London slip dress from her Spring Summer 2001 collection. This runway documented evening dress is made of 90...Category
Early 2000s British Evening Dresses
- 1970s Albert Nipon Vintage Dress in Black Satin With Ruff CollarBy Albert NiponLocated in Portland, ORThis beautiful vintage dress was designed by Albert Nipon in the 1970's. The dress is black satin with a ruff collar that has rows of topstitching. This is...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- Deadstock Bill Blass Fall 2008 Platinum Jacquard Evening Bustier Dress w TagBy Bill Blass, Peter SomLocated in Portland, ORThis is a Bill Blass beautiful deadstock platinum multi wood bustier evening dress from Peter Som's Fall/Winter 2008 debut collection for Bill Blass. The overall effect of the fabric...Category
Early 2000s American Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Patou 2pc Black Gold & Green Paisley Dot Metallic Silk Dress w Sheer BlouseBy Jean Patou, Jean Patou ParisLocated in Portland, ORThis 1970's sensational vintage 2 piece dress from Jean Patou is in a luxurious fine black silk and is covered with paisleys and dots in gold an...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Oscar de la Renta Fall 2010 Black Dress With Raw Edges & Sheer Panel PleatingBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a wonderful Fall 2010 black wool dress designed by Oscar de la Renta. This lovely evening dress is so much prettier in person because unfortunately, it's always difficult to ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1980s Dimitri Kritsas long black dressLocated in Milano, IT1980s Dimitri Kritsas long black dress with wide shawl neckline and low cut back. Rounded high slit in front with fitted long sleeves. Evening dress Size: M Waist: 88 cm Length: 14...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford FW-02 Silk Flared Hem Dress - Velvet RibbonBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Brussels, BEFlirtation and eroticism were on American designer Tom Ford’s mind for his Fall/Winter 2002 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche collection. Using stereotypical women’s fabrics for appropr...Category
Early 2000s French Sheath Dresses
- Gianni Versace LAST COLLECTION Beaded Shoulder DressBy Gianni Versace, VersaceLocated in São Paulo, SPSS 1997 Gianni’s LAST COLLECTION! Black asymmetric hem dress with iconic runway embellished shoulder strap. Round neckline Fully beaded hems - small black beads all along the dress ...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Moschino Silk Contoured Hoop-Skirt GownBy MoschinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis gown will pull you in and intrigue you with all the curves and volume. This Moschino design is genius as the skirt has varying sizes of circular boning to fit to your own body's curves giving you a hyper-feminized silhouette. Featuring a full-length to add to the drama and a simple black color-way and tank-top style to let the bottom detail steal the show. The fabric is 100% silk. Make sure to pair this dress with dramatic earrings...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace black evening dress with leather strap ss 2001By Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBOne-shoulder black dress with leather strap and gathers at strap on front and back. Spring-summer 2001Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Vivienne Westwood black velvet glitter figure hugging maxi dress, fw 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black velvet glitter figure hugging maxi dress Always on Camera, Fall-Winter 1991Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns