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] NY Post February 18, 2000, 2000
This folder contains a clipping from the Feburary 18, 2000 issue of the New York Post that announces that Bill Blass will give free reign to the new designer Steven Slowik and will serve as creative advisor for the brand.
BB [Bill Blass] NY Post January 22-25, 1999, 1999
This folder contains 3 clippings of an article from the January 25, 1999 issue of the New York Post announcing that Bill Blass pulled out of the Fall 1999 fashion week showings. The folder also contains drafts, notes, and fax transmittal forms pertaining to the article.
BB [Bill Blass] NY Post November 7, 1997, 1997
This folder contains a clipping and 3 photocopies of an article from the November 7, 1997 New York Post featuring an image of a Bill Blass Spring 1998 design.
BB [Bill Blass] NY Post November 9, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping from the November 9, 1999 New York Post that includes an announcement of an interview of Bill Blass by Judy Licht to air on the MetroChannels' "Buzz."
BB [Bill Blass] NY Post September 17, 1999, 1999
This folder contains clipping from the September 16 and 17, 1999 issue of the New York Post covering the Spring 2000 runway shows and announcing Bill Blass's "presumed finale."
BB [Bill Blass] NY Post September 22, 1997, 1997
This folder contains one clipping from the NY Post about the changing locations of fashion shows in New York.
BB [Bill Blass] NY Post September 27, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping of an article from the September 27, 1999 New York Post entitled "Bill Blass Says Goodbye," which reports on Blass's career in fashion.
BB [Bill Blass] NY Times Fashon August 24, 1999, 1999
This folder contains the Metro section of the August 24, 1999 New York Times and a clipping and printout of the article from it discussing Bill Blass as an "American Original."
BB [Bill Blass] NY Times November 2, 1999, 1999
This folder contains a clipping that includes an article entitled "Will Sale of Blass Lead to a New Image?" from the November 2, 1999 New York Times.
BB [Bill Blass] NY Times November 7, 1997, 1997
This folder contains two clippings of an article from the November 7, 1997 New York Times that features a n image of a Bill Blass Spring 1998 design.