bill blass

Magical 1990s Bill Blass Perfectly Minimalist Bias Cut Red Silk Chiffon Dress w Tiny Ruffle Detailing

Bill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re-launched it under his own name. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of  the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with luxurious materials and his evening wear in particular seemed to have a way of flattering the wearer. He knew how to walk that line perfectly. This is a very chic and sexy example of his work from this time period and it is even better in person. 

The dress is made out of a three layers of a feather light silk chiffon. The top tow are in that perfect crisp red and then there is a nice later under that. Every layer is cut on the bias and the layers float over each other perfectly to drape over the body. It is incredible. The dress is as light as a feather and feels like heaven once on the body. The dress is suspended from the shoulder with tow Tony red silk chiffon straps. The neckline plunges down between the breasts and there is a softly angled seam under the empire cut bodice. The back is scooped between the straps to leave a bare expanse of skin showing. From there the dress falls in this extravagant swoosh of bias cut silk. It is cut very long and I love the play on the transparency with the layers stacked on top of each other like that. It falls over you with a loose and easy cut to the floor. The bias cut lets it drape the body underneath but at the same time it feels insanely comfortable on because the fabric weighs ounces. Tiny little ruffles in the same silk are set all around the neckline and the there are three rows of the same ruffle that run down the front of the dress. These begin just under the bodice and angle out over the dress for the prettiest detailing. It is immensely flattering once on. This is the perfect simple yet striking dress you will want to wear over and over. It is truly a remarkable piece and so beautiful. Excellent condition with a minor note below

Made from three layers of silk chiffon as described above. It closes with a hidden set back zipper. The dress appears to have been worn very little if at all. I do see one small spot on the dress above the hem to one side and there is a small repair along the hem. Please see the photo after the label shot.

Bust: 14-16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Undercuts: 14"flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: 13.5-15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 12" from top of shoulder to seam under the bust
Total length: 58" from the top of the shoulder to the front hem, 62" to the back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4527

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Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.