Fashion Designer, Bill Blass, was born in 1922 and he predicted his carreer from the moment he started filling the margins of his school books with Hollywood- inspired fashion sketches instead of taking notes.He took his passion to the next lever because at the age of 15 he already knew how to sew and started making evening dresses for $25 each to a manufacture from New York.Then he moved to Manhattan and in 1945 began his carreer.He worked for David Crystal as a sketcher, at Anne Klein who fired him because she said he had "good manners but no talent." and in the 50's he worked for Anna Miller.
Astrid Heeren In Bill Blass photographed By Jeanloup Sieff For Harper’s Bazaar, Palm Beach, 1964
Jean Shrimpton in a Bill Blass dress by David Bailey,1965
1965
Bill Blass for Maurice Rentner, McCall’s , october 1968
Anne Saint-Marie and Bill Blass
In 1970, he bought Maurice Rentner Ltd and renamed it Bill Blass Limited.He was already known as one of the best fashion designers and even won 7 Coty American Fashion Critics Awards.His fashion carreer would last until 1992, creating over the years swimwear, furs, luggage, perfume and even chocolate.He was also a costume designer for movies like Advise & Consent (1962) and Irreconcilable Differences (1984).
with Nan Kempner at the Plaza, 1970
Ralph Lauren and Bill Blass, 70s
70's
Rene Russo, July 1974
He was the first American designer from the couture end of the business to go into men's wear.In 1975 he brought back the cocktail dress that dissappeared for a long time from the fashion scene and in the 80's he was one of First Lady Nancy Reagan's favorites.
Brooke Shields in Bill Blass by Richard Avedon for Vogue, february 1980
American Vogue photographed by Gideon Lewin, september 1984
1985
American Vogue, 1986
Barbara Walters and Bill Blass, november 1993
In 1999 he sold his company and retired to his home in Connecticut.He died in 2002 of throat cancer, 10 days before his 80th birthday and six days after he completed "Bare Bass", his memoir.From 2003 to 2007, Michaele Vollbracht was Bill Blass' head designer.In july 2007 Peter Som designed the womenswear collection and Michael Bastian the menswear collection.In 2014, Chris Benz became the creative director.
Angelina Jolie in Bill Blass for Vogue by Annie Leibovitz, january 2007
Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorn in Gossip Girl wearing a Bill Blass top
Eva Mendes, 2008
Elizabeth Banks in Bill Blass Spring 2012
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