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 March 7, 1997, 1997
This folder contains one WWD article pertaining to the appointment of John Lindsey.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD March 19, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping of an article about Bill Blass's fragrance "Amazing" from the March 19, 1999 issue of Women's Wear Daily.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD March 20, 1998, 1998
This folder contains the March 20, 1998 issue of Women's Wear Daily, which features an article about the Bill Blass fragrance.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD May 5, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping from the May 5, 1999 issue of Women's Wear Daily which includes an article about the success of Bill Blass's trunk show at Saks Fifth Avenue.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD November 3, 1997, 1997
This folder contains the November 3, 1997 issue of Women's Wear daily which features an article about the spring collections including a quote from Bill Blass and a photograph of one of his looks, a wool wrap dress.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD November 5, 1999, 1999
This folder contains clippings from the November 5, 1999 issue of Women's Wear Daily which includes a mention of Bill Blass's retirement and TV spot on The View.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD November 7, 1997, 1997
This folder contains two copies of the November 7, 1997 issue of Women's Wear Daily featuring an article about the Spring 1998 fashion shows and picturing 4 looks from Bill Blass's collection, and 4 photocopies of the article.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD November 8, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping from the November 8, 1999 issue of Women's Wear Daily which features and article announcing the completion of the sale of Bill Blass's company for $50 million.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD November 18, 1997, 1997
This folder contains three copies of the November 18, 1997 issue of Women's Wear Daily featuring a cover article about Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta's staying power as fashion designers. The folder also contains 3 photocopies of the article.
BB [Bill Blass] WWD October 24, 1994, 1994
This folder contains press clippings.