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] WWD April 15, 1998, 1998
This folder contains color photocopies of the cover of Women's Wear Daily from April 15, 1998 which features a faux fur coat from Bill Blass's fall 1998 collection.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD April 20, 1998, 1998
This folder contains the April 20, 1998 issue of Women's Wear Daily which features an article about wraps that includes a fall 1998 Bill Blass design.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD April 30, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping from the April 30, 1999 issue of Women's Wear Daily that mentions Bill Blass's new fragrance.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD April 7,1999, 1999
This folder contains three color copies of the cover and an article announcing Bill Blass's showing of his Fall 1999 collection at Le Cirque, from Women's Wear Daily from April 7, 1999.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD August 5, 1999, 1999
This folder contains two copies of the August 5, 1999 issue of Women's Wear Daily, which includes full-page ads for Bill Blass Jeans and features on denim.
BB {Bill Blass] WWD December 3, 1996, 1996
This folder contains press clippings.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD EYE February 18, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping of an article discussing Bill Blass's retirement announcement from Women's Wear Daily on Feburary 18, 1999.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD February 14, 2000, 2000
This folder contains clippings from the February 14, 2000 issue of Women's Wear Daily including a cover article announcing the appointment of Steven Slowik as the new designer for Bill Blass.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD February 16, 1999, 1999
This folder contains 3 clippings of an article about Bill Blass preparing for his retirement from the February 16, 1999 issue of Women's Wear Daily.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD January 22, 1999, 1999
This folder contains 3 clippings from the January 22, 1999 issue of Women's Wear Daily announcing that Bill Blass postponed his February Fall 1999 runway show.