Bill Blass: An American Designer FROM THE PUBLISHER
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.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
A homegrown, internationally renowned women's apparel designer, Blass died this past June at 79. This loving overview, based on an Indiana University Art Museum exhibition, showcases decades' worth of Blass's work in 227 illustrations (190 in full color). Graceful lines, unexpected fabrics, sophisticated ensembles and witty approaches to women's wear are all captured in wide-angle and close-up shots: an abstract floral, painted velvet balmacaan (a jacket that is long enough to be an above-the-knee skirt) looks as fresh today as in 1994, as does a white, double-faced, wool gabardine coat with printed twig motif from 1967 featured on the book's cover. Besides the beauty of the designs, the book itself makes quite an impression: the contemporary shots are perfectly lined up and reproduced; the text is nonintrusive, smoothly fonted and spaced; and period shots of Jacqueline Kennedy, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Reagan and others lend moments of delightful surprise. The foreword by Blass and two brief essays on his contributions to the development of a U.S. postwar style are followed by 200 pages of glorious fashion photography and sketches, interspersed with quotations from the designer and other notable taste makers-a fitting tribute. (Nov.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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