Bill Blass worked for the Maurice Retner label for 10 years as the chief designer. In 1968 the Bill Blass Inc label became a subsidiary of the Retner label . Then in 1970 he fully bought out his partners at the Maurice Retner label and re-launched it under his own name as Bill Blass Ltd. 1970 was the same year that he won his third Coty American Fashion Critics' Award and with it, his lifetime membership in the Coty Hall of Fame. By 1980 the company was doing 20 million dollars in revenue. He was arguably one of the most famous of all the American designers. By the eighties his work was even more ornate and luxurious than what he had done in the past. Prices for dresses could be as high as $5000 (which would be about $15,000 today). He was once asked why his clothes were so expensive and he replied, 'I'm an avid believer that we have to have clothes made in this country. Therefore we pay more money. ... The cost of labor and fabrication is what makes the clothing expensive.'

I have had versions of this dress in the shop in the past and I love it every time one comes in. It is bold and dramatic and it still feels perfectly on point with so many designers focusing on the eighties right now. Few designers would be able to make this mix of fabrics work. The neck is high and the sleeves are long. There is an inner silk chiffon bodice and then over that is an attached netted lace top. This is then covered in glossy black sequins. The winning through the lace and sequins are little rosettes that are made from a white ribbon that has been woven through the netting and stitched into place in little twirls. Blass used dots in his work quite often and the ribbon work that has been done is a bit of a play on his signature dot pattern. The shoulders are padded and strong and the edge of the bodice is shaped into a curving scalloped pattern. I love how it sits away from the body because it emphasizes the waist more. Quite a clever trick. The waist is accented by a wide black silk satin ribbon that is attached to the inner dress. Under that the skirt falls with a nice bit of fullness to it. Inside it has an inner organza lining that helps to hold the shape but most of the volume comes form the pleating at the waist and the horizontal banding that helps to give the skirt structure. It curves out full over the hips and has a bit of a bell shape. Alternating stripes of black and white silk organza run all the way to the hem and each black stripe has a little band of lace edging it on both the top and bottom of the stripe. Excellent condition with a small note to review below.

The outer bodice is lined in a black silk and that sits over a black silk chiffon inner bodice. The skirt is lined with a white white silk organza. The dress closes at the back with a hand set zipper and the top buttons to close over that. Padded shoulders. I see the the slightest of darkening to some of the ribbon on the top. Too faint to capture in a photo but mentioned for accuracy. There is a minor mark on the skirt and a tiny area of fading near the hem. Please see the photos after the shot of the label

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder to bottom seam of band at the waist
Skirt: 36" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3387

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

The lines of this suit are beautiful. It really shows what a master tailor he was and how intricate his work could be. Both pieces are made from an ivory moire silk that has just a touch of the very pale set yellow to it in certain lights. The jacket is heavily embellished with embroidery and a raffia in the same shade of ivory. This monotone approach gives it a rich, luxe feel.  The detailing is down around the pockets above the slit cuffs ends of the sleeves and then there is a full medallion of it on the back. I love that even the silk covered buttons that close the jacket have embroidery work on them as well. The jacket is sleekly cut with lightly padded shoulders and long sleeves. The waist curves and nips in and the hips are cut on a structured rounded curve that is quite beautiful. The skirt falls to about the knee in a simple and chic pencil shape with a banded waist. Everything about the cut and line of the suit is done to allow that wonderful jacket to take center stage. This would even make a lovely wedding suit. Excellent condition with a small note to review below

Both pieces are fully lined in an ivory silk. The skirt closes with a hidden set zipper and hooks at the waist. The jacket buttons to close and has padding in the shoulders. I see one pinhead dot on the back of the skirt and some of the raffia at the very front has a slightly crushed feel to it. It feels immaculate when you look at it.

Jacket
Sleeves: 24.5”
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5”
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3492

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is part of a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or customized specifically for her and all of them are in wonderful condition. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version, colour, print or design that was ever made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity.

This gorgeous full length skirt and top set is a wonderful example of the work that Blass was doing in this time period. We were able to date it exactly based on a family photo that my client has. He pulled out the stops for the creation of this set. It is made out of two silks. The first is a crisp right green silk taffeta that he used for the skirt and sash. He then chose a softer textured purple silk for the top. A third colour is brought into the mix with the the tie belt that is a silk finished in periwinkle. The skirt is very full and I have not used any crinolines under the skirt for these shots. The fullness that you see is all done through the way it is cut and the seaming. The choice of the silk taffeta also helps it to hold the shape while still keeping it very light in weight. The skirt has a double silk sash attached around the waist. One part is the same purple as top and the other is a soft and pretty blue. The top is a light silk that has a slight texture running through it. It buttons down the front and the way that the buttons are set gives you just the peek of skin between the buttons. Each sleeve is cut to be very full and have lots of volume. It comes with a matching silk taffeta sash that is in the same green as the skirt and I have used it to create a large bow at the neck. You could style the sash a variety of ways other then this but I liked the balance it created in both he colour and the volume. Having the three separate pieces makes it very versatile because you can wear it all together for the full Blass look, or mix and match with modern pieces from your wardrobe. It is beautifully made and wonderfully extravagant. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Both pieces are unlined. The skirt closes with a metal and nylon zipper and a flat hook & eye at the waist. The skirt hem is finished with a 3/4" strip of stiffened dressmakers tape to give it some weight and structure. The top buttons to close. The tie around the waist is attached and the tie at the neck is a separate piece. There are some very faint minor marks on both the skirt and the top. Please review the photos after the label shot.

Top
Shoulders: 15"
Sleeves: 29"
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 45" from waist to hem
Matching sash: 84" x 13"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3261

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I am very pleased to begin presenting a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or tweaked specifically for her and all of them are in exquisite condition, having been stored and cared for properly over the years. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version of its kind that were made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity.

This is a lovely example of Bill's work that has the added provenance of being featured in the September issue of Vogue that in 1986. It's twin was photographed on Paulina Porizkova and I have included that reference photo here. Both the dress and jacket are made out of the most extraordinary fabric. He has used a fine silk velvet that has gold thread lame running through it in the manner of a men's suiting. This gives both pieces an incredible sheen when combined with the velvet. As it catches the light it almost has the feel of a liquid running over you. The dress is strapless with a built in inner bodice that gives it structure internally but from the outside you only see the fabric falling in one smooth line. The bodice has carefully placed hand done gathers that give just the hint of detailing. Under that the skirt falls to the floor in one long lean line. There is no slit on this one, rather the fabric is cleverly laid out so there is hidden volume as it nears the hem. Over this is the remarkable jacket that has a more structured feel to it. The cut is pure Blass with the waist just a suggestion and the shoulders boxed and padded. The sleeves are long and each is finished at the cuff with a wide band of hand done bead and sequin work. This same incredible detailing runs around the collar, down the front and circles all around the hem of the jacket. It is incredible and very chic. Excellent condition

Both pieces are fully lined in silk. The dress closes with a double zipper at the back, with the inner one closing the inner corset. The inner corset is boned and shaped. The jacket closes with hidden snaps at the front and hook & eye at the neck and waist. The bead work is hand done and elaborate.

Dress
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3260

Reference Photo: Paulina Porizkova in Bill Blass, Vogue UK, September 1986. Photo by Bill King.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I recently got a one shoulder dress by Blass in the shop that has the same fringe treatment as this one and believe this set is from the same 1974 collection as the dress is.

The surface of this Bill Blass set is entirely covered with glossy black sequins that give the set an almost liquid feel. Not a single inch of it is left uncovered. The outfit is made of up of two pieces that when worn together look like a full length dress. Being two pieces makes it extremely versatile because you can mix and match them with other pieces in your existing wardrobe. The long, floor length skirt is a classic Bill Blass cut. It has a high slit up the back, which is both practical for walking and also adds a little sexiness when your leg flashes through as you walk away. It slips on with an elastic that runs through the waist for maximum comfort and ease despite its high glamour feel. The tunic is equally fantastic. It skims over the bust, waist and hips and is finished all the way around the hem with a long beaded fringe. It is just long enough to be able to wear as a mini if you felt extra daring. The fabric that the sequins are attached to has a bit of give so its very comfortable. A superb and early Bill Blass that packs a tremendous impact once on. Excellent condition with one small note to review below

Both pieces are fully lined with a black silk chiffon. The tunic closes with a hidden set side zipper and there is a hook & eye at the top of one shoulder. The skirt has elastic through the waist. The base fabric the sequins are on has a slight stretch to it giving it almost a bias cut feel once on the body. There is one area on the side of the tunic where a few fringes are missing. You would only ever notice if its worn over something white like my dress form is. See photo after the label photo for a detail shot of this areas.I have recently seen just the skirt by itself from this set listed at what I have the entire set priced at.

Tunic
Bust: 17.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 31" from shoulder to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2325

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Bill Blass worked for the Maurice Retner label for 10 years as the chief designer. In 1968 the Bill Blass Inc label became a subsidiary of the Retner label . Then in 1970 he fully bought out his partners at the Maurice Retner label and re-launched it under his own name as Bill Blass Ltd. 1970 was the same year that he won his third Coty American Fashion Critics' Award and with it, his lifetime membership in the Coty Hall of Fame. By 1980 the company was doing 20 million dollars in revenue. He was arguably one of the most famous of all the American designers. By the eighties his work was even more ornate and luxurious than what he had done in the past. Prices for dresses could be as high as $5000 (which would be about $15,000 today). He was once asked why his clothes were so expensive and he replied, 'I'm an avid believer that we have to have clothes made in this country. Therefore we pay more money. ... The cost of labor and fabrication is what makes the clothing expensive.'

I have had versions of this dress in the shop in the past and I love it every time one comes in. It is bold and dramatic and it still feels perfectly on point with so many designers focusing on the eighties right now. Few designers would be able to make this mix of fabrics work. The neck is high and the sleeves are long. There is an inner silk chiffon bodice and then over that is an attached netted lace top. This is then covered in glossy black sequins. The winning through the lace and sequins are little rosettes that are made from a white ribbon that has been woven through the netting and stitched into place in little twirls. Blass used dots in his work quite often and the ribbon work that has been done is a bit of a play on his signature dot pattern. The shoulders are padded and strong and the edge of the bodice is shaped into a curving scalloped pattern. I love how it sits away from the body because it emphasizes the waist more. Quite a clever trick. The waist is accented by a wide black silk satin ribbon that is attached to the inner dress. Under that the skirt falls with a nice bit of fullness to it. Inside it has an inner organza lining that helps to hold the shape but most of the volume comes form the pleating at the waist and the horizontal banding that helps to give the skirt structure. It curves out full over the hips and has a bit of a bell shape. Alternating stripes of black and white silk organza run all the way to the hem and each black stripe has a little band of lace edging it on both the top and bottom of the stripe. Excellent condition with a small note to review below.

The outer bodice is lined in a black silk and that sits over a black silk chiffon inner bodice. The skirt is lined with a white white silk organza. The dress closes at the back with a hand set zipper and the top buttons to close over that. Padded shoulders. I see the the slightest of darkening to some of the ribbon on the top. Too faint to capture in a photo but mentioned for accuracy. There is a minor mark on the skirt and a tiny area of fading near the hem. Please see the photos after the shot of the label

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 16" from top of shoulder to bottom seam of band at the waist
Skirt: 36" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3387

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

The lines of this suit are beautiful. It really shows what a master tailor he was and how intricate his work could be. Both pieces are made from an ivory moire silk that has just a touch of the very pale set yellow to it in certain lights. The jacket is heavily embellished with embroidery and a raffia in the same shade of ivory. This monotone approach gives it a rich, luxe feel.  The detailing is down around the pockets above the slit cuffs ends of the sleeves and then there is a full medallion of it on the back. I love that even the silk covered buttons that close the jacket have embroidery work on them as well. The jacket is sleekly cut with lightly padded shoulders and long sleeves. The waist curves and nips in and the hips are cut on a structured rounded curve that is quite beautiful. The skirt falls to about the knee in a simple and chic pencil shape with a banded waist. Everything about the cut and line of the suit is done to allow that wonderful jacket to take center stage. This would even make a lovely wedding suit. Excellent condition with a small note to review below

Both pieces are fully lined in an ivory silk. The skirt closes with a hidden set zipper and hooks at the waist. The jacket buttons to close and has padding in the shoulders. I see one pinhead dot on the back of the skirt and some of the raffia at the very front has a slightly crushed feel to it. It feels immaculate when you look at it.

Jacket
Sleeves: 24.5”
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5”
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3492

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is part of a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or customized specifically for her and all of them are in wonderful condition. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version, colour, print or design that was ever made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity.

This gorgeous full length skirt and top set is a wonderful example of the work that Blass was doing in this time period. We were able to date it exactly based on a family photo that my client has. He pulled out the stops for the creation of this set. It is made out of two silks. The first is a crisp right green silk taffeta that he used for the skirt and sash. He then chose a softer textured purple silk for the top. A third colour is brought into the mix with the the tie belt that is a silk finished in periwinkle. The skirt is very full and I have not used any crinolines under the skirt for these shots. The fullness that you see is all done through the way it is cut and the seaming. The choice of the silk taffeta also helps it to hold the shape while still keeping it very light in weight. The skirt has a double silk sash attached around the waist. One part is the same purple as top and the other is a soft and pretty blue. The top is a light silk that has a slight texture running through it. It buttons down the front and the way that the buttons are set gives you just the peek of skin between the buttons. Each sleeve is cut to be very full and have lots of volume. It comes with a matching silk taffeta sash that is in the same green as the skirt and I have used it to create a large bow at the neck. You could style the sash a variety of ways other then this but I liked the balance it created in both he colour and the volume. Having the three separate pieces makes it very versatile because you can wear it all together for the full Blass look, or mix and match with modern pieces from your wardrobe. It is beautifully made and wonderfully extravagant. Excellent condition with a minor note below.

Both pieces are unlined. The skirt closes with a metal and nylon zipper and a flat hook & eye at the waist. The skirt hem is finished with a 3/4" strip of stiffened dressmakers tape to give it some weight and structure. The top buttons to close. The tie around the waist is attached and the tie at the neck is a separate piece. There are some very faint minor marks on both the skirt and the top. Please review the photos after the label shot.

Top
Shoulders: 15"
Sleeves: 29"
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from neck to hem

Skirt
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 45" from waist to hem
Matching sash: 84" x 13"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3261

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I am very pleased to begin presenting a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or tweaked specifically for her and all of them are in exquisite condition, having been stored and cared for properly over the years. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version of its kind that were made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity.

This is a lovely example of Bill's work that has the added provenance of being featured in the September issue of Vogue that in 1986. It's twin was photographed on Paulina Porizkova and I have included that reference photo here. Both the dress and jacket are made out of the most extraordinary fabric. He has used a fine silk velvet that has gold thread lame running through it in the manner of a men's suiting. This gives both pieces an incredible sheen when combined with the velvet. As it catches the light it almost has the feel of a liquid running over you. The dress is strapless with a built in inner bodice that gives it structure internally but from the outside you only see the fabric falling in one smooth line. The bodice has carefully placed hand done gathers that give just the hint of detailing. Under that the skirt falls to the floor in one long lean line. There is no slit on this one, rather the fabric is cleverly laid out so there is hidden volume as it nears the hem. Over this is the remarkable jacket that has a more structured feel to it. The cut is pure Blass with the waist just a suggestion and the shoulders boxed and padded. The sleeves are long and each is finished at the cuff with a wide band of hand done bead and sequin work. This same incredible detailing runs around the collar, down the front and circles all around the hem of the jacket. It is incredible and very chic. Excellent condition

Both pieces are fully lined in silk. The dress closes with a double zipper at the back, with the inner one closing the inner corset. The inner corset is boned and shaped. The jacket closes with hidden snaps at the front and hook & eye at the neck and waist. The bead work is hand done and elaborate.

Dress
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 40" from waist to hem

Jacket
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3260

Reference Photo: Paulina Porizkova in Bill Blass, Vogue UK, September 1986. Photo by Bill King.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I recently got a one shoulder dress by Blass in the shop that has the same fringe treatment as this one and believe this set is from the same 1974 collection as the dress is.

The surface of this Bill Blass set is entirely covered with glossy black sequins that give the set an almost liquid feel. Not a single inch of it is left uncovered. The outfit is made of up of two pieces that when worn together look like a full length dress. Being two pieces makes it extremely versatile because you can mix and match them with other pieces in your existing wardrobe. The long, floor length skirt is a classic Bill Blass cut. It has a high slit up the back, which is both practical for walking and also adds a little sexiness when your leg flashes through as you walk away. It slips on with an elastic that runs through the waist for maximum comfort and ease despite its high glamour feel. The tunic is equally fantastic. It skims over the bust, waist and hips and is finished all the way around the hem with a long beaded fringe. It is just long enough to be able to wear as a mini if you felt extra daring. The fabric that the sequins are attached to has a bit of give so its very comfortable. A superb and early Bill Blass that packs a tremendous impact once on. Excellent condition with one small note to review below

Both pieces are fully lined with a black silk chiffon. The tunic closes with a hidden set side zipper and there is a hook & eye at the top of one shoulder. The skirt has elastic through the waist. The base fabric the sequins are on has a slight stretch to it giving it almost a bias cut feel once on the body. There is one area on the side of the tunic where a few fringes are missing. You would only ever notice if its worn over something white like my dress form is. See photo after the label photo for a detail shot of this areas.I have recently seen just the skirt by itself from this set listed at what I have the entire set priced at.

Tunic
Bust: 17.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 31" from shoulder to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12-14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 43" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2325

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.