I am very pleased to begin presenting a collection of Bill Blass pieces from a woman who was a close personal friend of Mr. Blass for many years. Many of these pieces were custom made or tweaked specifically for her and all of them are in exquisite condition, having been stored and cared for properly over the years. These are rare and hard to find example of his work from the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Some may be the only version of its kind that were made. The family would also like it to be known that their portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to charity.
This is one of the best known of Bill's pieces during this time period. Lynn Wyatt was photoed wearing the jacket alongside of Bill himself and it was also featured in the book 'Bill Blass: An American Designer'. This version is even more special because my client's mother had the skirt made in that same gold brocade that the jacket is made out of. The lines of the suit are beautiful and I am glad to have found reference photos that give you an idea of just how great it is once on. The fabric is beautiful and the design covers every inch. It is a rich silk brocade on black and I love how you can see the threads within the gold and how these add to the texture of the pieces. The jacket is sleek with lightly padded shoulders and long sleeves. The waist curves in and the hips are cut on a rounded curve that is quite beautiful. I love the inverted pleat that opens out on either wide of the waist. This adds to the rounded curve around the hip. The skirt has a bit of that same rounding curve through the hip. The waist of the skirt is brought in by vertical seaming and then falls to about the knee in a simple and chic sheath. Everything about the cut and line of the suit is done to allow that gorgeous fabric to shine. Excellent condition
Both pieces are fully lined in silk. The skirt closes with a side set zipper. The jacket closes with hidden snaps at the front and hook & eye at the neck and waist. It looks to have been worn very little if at all
Jacket
Sleeves: 24"
Slightly inset shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 29" from neck to hem
Skirt
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG
Item# DD3259
Reference Photo: (1) Angela Shelton wearing gold, silk brocade dinner jacket by Bill Blass, Fall 1991. Photograph by Gideon Lewin. From the book 'Bill Blass: An American Designer'. / (2-3) Bill Blass & Lynn Wyatt, March 5th, 1992.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.