Blass, Bill (1922-2002)
Dates
- Existence: 1922-2002
Biography
Bill Blass was born William Ralph Blass on June 22, 1922 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Blass attended Parsons School of Design at the age of 17. Roughly around the same time, Blass worked as a sketch artist for David Crystal, a Seventh Ave manufacturer. He served three years in the U.S. army during WWII. After the war, he returned to design, first working as an assistant with Anne Klein and ultimately finding work at Anna Miller and Co. in New York. Bill Blass became the head designer for Maurice Rentner in 1959, LTD, after the firm merged with Anna Miller and Co. 11 years later, Blass became sole owner of Rentner and renamed the company after himself. By this time, Blass had already won acclaim in the fashion industry, winning a Coty award in 1968 for his menswear designs. Bill Blass would go on to win two more Coty Awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 and the Humanitarian Leadership Award in 1996. From 1979 to 1981, Blass served as the honorary president for the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Bill Blass sold his business in 1999 for a rumoured $50 million. Bill Blass passed away at the age of 79 in 2002.
Found in 248 Collections and/or Records:
BB [Bill Blass] The Dallas Morning News October 13, 1999, 1999
This folder contains the Fashion section of the October 13, 1999 issue of The Dallas Morning News which features designs from Bill Blass's Spring 2000 collection.
BB [Bill Blass] The Mont Winter/Spring 2000, 2000
This folder contains the Winter/Spring 2000 issue of The Mont which features images of Bill Blass at the Edith Wharton Women of Achievement Awards benefit.
BB [Bill Blass] The New Yorker April 14, 1997, 1997
This folder contains one full issue of The New Yorker featuring an article on Bill Blass as well as two clippings (cover and article) and one photocopy of the article.
BB [Bill Blass] The Plain Dealer October 30, 1999 [September 30, 1999], 1999
This folder contains three copies of the Style section of the September 30, 1999 issue of The Plain Dealer, which reviews the Spring 2000 runway shows including Bill Blass.
BB [Bill Blass] The Plain Dealer September 23, 1999, 1999
This folder contains the Style section of the September 23, 1999 issue of The Plain Dealer and a clipping of an article from the section, entitled "Bill Blass made American style respectable," which reports on Blass's life and career.
BB [Bill Blass] The Washington Post October 17, 1999 [September 17, 1999], 1999
This folder contains a clipping of an article from the September 17, 1999 Washington Post the features colorful, floral designs from the Spring 2000 Bill Blass collection.
BB [Bill Blass] Tobé November 4-11, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping of an article from the November 4-11, 1999 issue of Tobé that features Bill Blass glitter and floral designs.
BB [Bill Blass] Town & Country August 1994, 1994
This folder contains one copy of the August 1994 issue of Town & Country and additional tear sheets from this issue.
BB [Bill Blass] Vanity Fair Jan 1997, 1997
This folder contains one article from Vanity Fair, January 1997.
BB [Bill Blass] Village Voice April 20, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping of an article covering Bill Blass and Geoffrey Beene's late Fall 1999 showings, from the April 20, 1999 issue of the Village Voice.