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:
May 18-19, 1996, 1996
This folder contains a column on party dresses and black and white photos of ensembles by Victor Alfaro, Joan Vass, Carolina Herrera, Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta.
May 21-22, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column on Bill Blass and color photos of ensembles by Bill Blass.
May 24-25, 1997, 1997
This folder contains a column on Bill Blass and black and white photocopies of photos of ensembles by Blass.
Mildred Klare interview, 1982 August 23, 1982 August 23
Mildred Klare reflecting on Maurice Rentner.
November 15-16, 1997, 1997
This folder contains a column on American fashion and color photos of ensembles by Bill Blass.
November 16-17, 1996, 1996
This folder contains a column on Bill Blass and black and white photos of ensembles by Blass and black and white photocopies of photos of ensembles by Blass.
November 30- December 1, 1996, 1996
This folder contains a column on stripes and black and white photos of ensembles by Ralph Lauren and Bill Blass and 5x7" negatives.
September 7-8, 1991, 1991
This folder contains a column on suits and black and white photos of suits by Bill Blass and Pauline Trigere and ensembles by Adrienne Vittadini, Donna Karan and Scaasi.
September 11-12, 1993, 1993
This folder contains a column on swimwear and black and white photos of swimwear by Bill Blass and Speedo,
September 14-15, 1991, 1991
This folder contains a column and black and white photos of ensembles by Bill Blass, Pauline Trigere, and Carolina Herrera.