Bill Blass
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | Date: 2008
Bill Blass (William Ralph Blass), 1922-2002, American fashion designer, b. Fort Wayne, Ind. Active for three decades, he was most noted for high-quality, high-priced, and quintessentially American clothing featuring a look of sporty sophistication and offhand glamour. His polished classic style, which was less severe than that of many contemporaries, attracted a wide audience. Winner of numerous fashion awards, his designs included sportswear, rainwear, accessories, and evening wear. Beginning in the late 1960s, he also designed menswear. After establishing Bill Blass Limited in 1970, he expanded his line to include such diverse products as airline uniforms, luggage, chocolates, bed linens, and perfumes.
Bibliography: See his memoir Bare Blass (2002).
Author not available, BLASS, BILL.,
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 2008
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press
Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles from HighBeam Research
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VOLLBRACHT UPDATES BLASS WITH NEW FRAGRANCE.(Michael Vollbracht, Bill Blass' The Fragrance From Bill Blass)
WWD; 12/27/2006; Evans, Matthew W.; 827 words
; Byline: Matthew W. Evans NEW YORK - Michael Vollbracht, creative director of Bill Blass, has made his latest update to the fashion house with his first scent, The Fragrance From Bill Blass. The woman's fragrance, a floral bouquet featuring white blossoms, will be introduced at Saks Fifth Avenue
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BILL BLASS PUTTING ON A NEW FACE.
WWD; 7/5/2005; 779 words
; Byline: Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK -- For many, mention of Bill Blass casts an indelible image of the quintessential gentleman whose name was synonymous with high- quality design. Now, 35 years after the designer set up his business, Bill Blass executives are trying to build on his heritage by
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FASHION HOUSE TO BOW BILL BLASS WOMEN'S LINE.(Bill Blass Ltd.)
Footwear News; 1/16/2006; Niemi, Wayne; 374 words
; Byline: WAYNE NIEMI LOS ANGELES - Bill Blass is hoping its recognized brand identity can translate into strong success in the women's footwear market. The Fashion House, which produces the O Oscar, Oscar by Oscar de la Renta, Richard Tyler Couture and Tyler lines, said last week it inked a deal for
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Bill Blass and He-Ro: reshaping the deal. (Bill Blass taking active role in his licensed apparel lines manufactured by He-Ro Group)
WWD; 2/26/1991; Pagoda, Dianne M.; 1033 words
; Bill Blass and He-Ro Reshaping The Deal NEW YORK -- Bill Blass is a lot more involved than he used to be -- and Herb Rounick likes it that way. Blass has been taking a more active role in the development of his licensed ready-to-wear and sportswear lines for Rounick's manufacturing company, the
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BILL BLASS WATCHES RETURN AT THE HIGH END.
WWD; 6/16/2003; Karimzadeh, Marc; 416 words
; NEW YORK -- Ready-to-wear isn't the only thing that's ticking to a new beat at Bill Blass. This Wednesday, the firm will unveil a collection of upscale fashion watches that draws from the late designer's signature design features, such as pinstripes and the recognizable double-B logo. Watches are
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Rebuilding Blass' Bridge.(Bill Blass Ltd.)
WWD; 4/9/2003; Larson, Kristin; 824 words
; Byline: Kristin Larson NEW YORK - Bill Bill Blass is back at bridge, but this time with dresses. The executives at Bill Blass Ltd. have partnered with BBS International Group to produce a line of day-to-evening dresses featuring the classic, understated look for which the late iconic American
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Bye Blassport, hello to Bill Blass Sport. (women's sportswear line changes name)
WWD; 12/26/1990; Lockwood, Lisa; 472 words
; Bye Blassport, Hello to Bill Blass Sport NEW YORK -- What's in a name? If you're Bill Blass, plenty. Starting Jan. 1, Blassport will be renamed Bill Blass Sport. Since June, 1989, Blassport, the designer's sportswear line, has been licensed to H.R.I. Inc., which is owned by Herbert Rounick. H.R.I.
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A NEW BRIDGE AT BILL BLASS.(new company, Bill-Bill Blass; Bill Blass unit)(Brief Article)
WWD; 2/6/2002; Wilson, Eric; 844 words
; NEW YORK -- Bill Blass has a new bill of goods. Marking the first big brand extension for the 32-year-old designer firm since it was floated on the bond market in 1999, the principals of the Blass brand have set up a new company, with a knit sportswear specialist, called Bill - Bill Blass, aimed at
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Ultima II launching Bill Blass Sport. (Extra Benefits; body, bath, hair and sun products supplement) (product announcement)
WWD; 5/9/1986; 281 words
; Ultima II launching Bill Blass Sport NEW YORK -- Ultima II is introducing a three-product body care line this month called Bill Blass Sport for active women. The Bill Blass women's fragrance has vanity-top products now, with the traditional luxury presentation, said Geoffrey Donaldson, vice
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Bill Blass to add accessories line.(Bill Blass Ltd., Mondani Corp.)(Brief article)
WWD; 10/8/2007; Tell, Caroline; 206 words
; Byline: Caroline Tell Bill Blass is accessorizing. The design house has signed a licensing agreement with Mondani Corp. to manufacture and distribute handbags, small leather goods and cases for cosmetics and toiletries. The new accessories category will feature a high-end collection called Bill
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Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses
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Blass, Bill
Contemporary Fashion
BLASS, Bill American designer Born: William Ralph ... York; purchased Rentner company, renamed Bill Blass Ltd., 1970; introduced Blassport sportswear ... Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Year with Bill Blass, Liz Claiborne, Donna Karan, Arnold Scaasi ...
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Blass, Bill 1922-
American Decades
BLASS, BILL 1922- Designer of elegant clothes for women American Casual Wear Bill Blass is one of a handful of American designers to ... flight attendants, and even chocolates. In 1978 Bill Blass perfume for women was introduced. Life Blass ...
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Bill Blass
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
... innovations of European designers such as Coco Chanel , Blass made clothes that allowed women a chic, modern sense ... popular among New York high-society women. In 1970 Blass became owner of Rentner, which he renamed after himself ... accessories. In 1999 he sold his company, which continued as Bill ...
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The 1960s: Fashion: Awards
American Decades
... 1960 — Ferdinando Sarmi Jacques Tiffeau 1961 — Bill Blass Gustave Tassell 1962 — Donald Brooks 1963 — ... 1961 — No Award 1962 — No Award 1963 — Bill Blass 1964 — Jacques Tiffeau Sylvia Pedlar 1965 — ... Gertrude Seperack Pablo Joint Special ...
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Sprouse, Stephen
Contemporary Fashion
... for three months. Career: Worked briefly for Halston and Bill Blass; showed first collection, 1983; out of business, 1985-87 ... of Indiana, Sprouse shares his origins with Norman Norell, Bill Blass, and Halston, for whom he worked briefly in the early 1970s ... dresses and slim-line tuxedos anchored ...
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