Vintage Bill Blass Strawberry Red Pink Dress and Embroidered Coat Suit Outfit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 (US)
- 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: Beaverton, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Oscar de la Renta Vintage Red Dress and Jacket / Coat OutfitBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a 2 piece vintage Oscar de la Renta dress and jacket suit in a rich red wool blend fabric. This beautiful 2 piece ensemble incl...Category
1990s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980s Escada Green Pink Blue & Orange Plaid 2 pc Dress w/ Skirt & Linen TopBy EscadaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful ensemble from the 1980's designed by Margaretha Ley for Escada. The outfit has a pleated midi length skirt that buttons down the front. It is made of linen in an ...Category
1980s German Day Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Peplum Top & Skirt Dress / Suit in Yellow & Black Abstract Silk PrintBy Vicky TielLocated in Portland, ORThis is a vintage Vicky Tiel Couture silk skirt suit originally purchased at Bergdorf Goodman in the 1980's. This lovely suit looks like a dress when worn. The outfit is in a 100% si...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Albert Nipon Silk Striped Vintage 2 pc. Dress With BowBy Albert NiponLocated in Portland, ORThis pretty vintage 2 piece striped dijon mustard green and cream dress was designed by Albert Nipon in the 1970's. The dress includes a pleated skirt and a button front blouse with ...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- 2004 Alexander McQueen Deliverance Runway Patchwork Skirt & Jacket SuitBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Portland, ORThis outstanding Alexander McQueen 2004 two piece patchwork skirt and jacket suit is a perfect example of Lee McQueen's attention to detail and tailoring f...Category
Early 2000s European Skirt Suits
- Vintage Ungaro Parellele Floral 2 Pc SIlk Dress & Skirt Jacket 1980s GarfinckelsBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Portland, ORThis is a fabulous vintage 2 piece silk dress that was designed by Emanuel Ungaro and made in Italy in the 1980's. This pretty, vintage outfit includes ...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- Nina Ricci Red Silk Satin Printed Blouse and Skirt set 1980sBy Nina RicciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLNina Ricci red silk satin printed blouse and skirt set from the 1980s. Gorgeous candy apple red silk satin is printed with tiny abstract black print. The blouse has a pleated high ne...Category
1980s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vintage 1967 Nina Ricci Haute Couture Documented Ruby Red Wool Mod JumpsuitBy Nina RicciLocated in Beverly Hills, CAStunning and very rare documented Nina Ricci haute couture jumpsuit dating back to her 1967 Fall-Winter collection. The French fashion house, known for its feminine, ladylike clothing, has long been the go-to for Parisian chic. To achieve Nina Ricci figure-flattering cuts, the seasoned dressmaker draped on a live mannequin, pinning and snipping with a couturier's care. This breathtaking tailored jumpsuit dress is a perfect example of this brand's genius. The bodice has lean 3/4-length sleeves with a gorgeous mock turtleneck and hourglass nipped waist. I adore the hidden side pockets and sculpted middle front pleat skirting. Such a unique yet timeless design. Measurements Bust:33-34 inches Waist:25 inches Hips:up to 40 inches Total Length:57 inches This Nina Ricci haute couture designer jumpsuit...Category
1960s French Maxi Dresses
- Rare Kreinick 1960s Vintage Red + Yellow Polka Dot Mod Dress + Jacket EnsembleLocated in Sparks, NVVery rare Kreinick label! American couture at its finest. Heavy weight jacquard fabric appears to be made of silk and wool. This listing is for a two ...Category
1960s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Shaheen Tiki Print Red Dress and Bolero Set, 1950sBy Alfred ShaheenLocated in San Francisco, CAShaheen Tiki Print Red Dress & Bolero Set, 1950s. Cotton printed tiki set, convertible dress can turn from a halter neck to strapless. Dress pulls on...Category
1950s Day Dresses
- Guy Laroche black and orange dress and Jacket ensemble, circa 1980By Guy LarocheLocated in London, GBA beautiful and delicately constructed ensemble made from bi-color cotton. The dress features a fitted bodice with fine straps and adorned with a bow under the bustline. This black s...Category
1980s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Numbered Haute Couture Red Silk Tunic/Skirt EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Munich, DEThis early 2000s Yves Saint Laurent tunic and skirt set is made from scarlet red very delicate raw silk. The straight-cut tunic top features a demure neckline, long sleeves (cut in o...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses