Bill Blass : An American Designer Book

Published to accompany a major retrospective exhibition of Blass's career at the Indiana University Art Museum, this lavish presentation presents more than 250 of his most important ensembles, beginning with his earliest work for Anna Miller and Maurice Rentner in the 1950s and 60s, continuing through the creation of his own label in 1970, and closing with pieces from his final collection for spring 2000. From early in his career, Blass became known for creating simple, uncontrived, yet luxurious clothing. He combined flawless tailoring and a fascination with men's-wear fabrics with an instinctive understanding of what his loyal customers wanted. The result was a very modern, American chic, characterized by casual sophistication and self-confident, even defiant, personal style.