An incredible early piece by Bill Blass that is just beautiful and very rare and special. It really shows his love of fabrics and unusual textures that he would use early on to contrast his simple cuts and elegant designs. This is an aesthetic viewpoint that he continued throughout his career but I feel that the earliest pieces, like this one are the best. His love of fabrics meant that over the course of his career he produced glamorous and luxurious pieces but it is the early ones like this that everything else stemmed from. I also feel that the earlier pieces really showcased his extravagant, dramatic side which, as he became more commercial and his company larger, was sometimes diluted down to meet sales standards rather then his own design standards. This full length dress is constructed from a beautiful silk chiffon that has a combination of a silk velvet and a gold metallic thread fused and worked through its surface to produce the design you see. The shape is a simple column that widens out slightly as it nears that spectacular hem. Both the neckline and hem have a circle of an extravagant, hand set, wide panel of hand-dyed feathers laced through with fine gold threads. The collar is a spectacular 6 inches and the hem just under a foot of layers feathers that move with the slightest bit of movement. I love that each sleeve is cut wide and full. The construction throughout is beautiful - all hand finished and meticulously done. An exception, museum quality gown Excellent condition

Fully lined in a nude silk that is all hand set with the sleeves left unlined. It has piped silk fabric finishes at the inner hem. Closes with a back painted metal zipper. The feathers are handset and are in excellent condition with no apparent shedding

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 58" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2081

Reference Photos: Fall 1973 Bill Blass Runway.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.