Bill Blass Black Silk Long Sleeve Beaded Gown Size 10
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 59.5 in (151.13 cm)Marked Size: 10 (US)Bust: 35 in (88.9 cm)Waist: 30 in (76.2 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU481043032
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- ROBERT DAVID-MORTON Black Silk Cocktail Dress Nude Rhinestone Waist Size 6 8Located in Los Angeles, CAThis Robert David-Morton design is composed of a textured silk with a nude embellished lace waist. Features a halter neck with zipper closure. In excellent vintage condition. **Pl...Category
20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Nolan Miller Lovely Black Cocktail Dress with Lace and Bow SleevesBy Nolan MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a lovely Nolan Miller cocktail dress. This dress is composed of a fantastic black supple lace with a subtle metallic attribute. It features a wonderful V-Bust line and draped...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Ceil Chapman (Attributed) Vintage Black Matte Jersey Cocktail Dress, 1940By Ceil ChapmanLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a vintage black cocktail dress Attributed to: Ceil Chapman. Circa 1940's. Label missing. The piece is skilfully ruched, with a scoop neckline front and back. It has zipper ...Category
1940s American Cocktail Dresses
- ARNOLD SCAASI Belle De Jour Black Sequin Lace Cocktail Dress Size 10By Arnold ScassiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Arnold Scaasi custom ordered cocktail dress is composed of European black lace with sequin embellishment. This cocktail dress was a custom order made in the New York Atelier o...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Oscar De La Renta Brown Velvet Cocktail Dress with Ruched Skirt Size 6By Oscar De La RentaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Oscar De La Renta cocktail dress is composed of a brown velvet and features a ruched skirt. There a zippers at the sleeve cuffs and a center back zipper for ease of access. Made...Category
20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Alaia Black Sheer Jersey Long Sleeve Scoop neck Dress, Circa 1990'sBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a sheer black Rayon jersey knit long sleeve dress by Alaia, from the 1990's. The dress has scoop neckline and trumpet sleeves. Size Large L...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44. This beautiful dress is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous black lace over a white nylon blend, a built-i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Floral Detail On Back - 42By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Organza Floral Detail On Back - 42. This special gown is in excellent condition. This dress features a purple silk taffeta material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Carolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4By Carolyne RoehmLocated in West Palm Beach, FLCarolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4. This dress is in excellent vintage condition. It is short sleeved and has side ruching with rhinestone buttons ...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Oscar de la Renta Black and Red Silk Chiffon Dress with Lace - 10 - NWTBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Oscar de la Renta dress is black with a red underlay. It is made of silk chiffon and lace and has a black ribbon around the waist. This dress is in excellent condition and still...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Givenchy Multi Color Silk Organza Floral Halter Dress with Ruffle, Circa 1970sBy GivenchyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGivenchy Multi Color Silk Organza Floral Halter w/ Ruffle -38 - Circa 70's This magnificent vintage silk organza multi floral print has a point d esprit detail to it as well. It has ...Category
1970s French Summer Dresses
- Talbot Runhof Black Velvet Asymmetrical Loose Dress - LBy Talbot RunhofLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis long sleeve Talbot Runhof dress is made of black velvet. It features an asymmetrical design. In the front, it is fitted with some cinching. On the ba...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Evening Dresses and Gowns