HOT STORIES
Submit item to News
Opera diva to open symphony season
Original at Hattiesburg American
• Tue, Jun 9
MS Her gowns have been designed by Angel Sanchez, Issey Miyake, Karl Lagerfeld, Bill Blass, Vivienne Westwood, Gianfranco Ferré, Oscar de la Renta, John Galliano and Christian Lacroix. In 2001, she was added to the "Best Dressed" list of American fashion ...
Florsheim classics get spiffed up
Original at Los Angeles Times
• Sun, Jun 7
CA 11 am to 7 pm Sunday. www.shopconfederacy.com Archive Agency Today: The popular sample sale debuts a designer vintage collection featuring Bill Blass, Valentino, Zandra Rhodes, Oscar de la Renta and Pucci. New designer pieces will be offered at up to ...
'Real' is the new black, says Hub designer - The Boston
Original at Bay State Banner
• Wed, Jun 3
Tony Irving photo) Henry Nathaniel Jackson is an international fashion designer, not an economist. But the couture creator, who has worked with the likes of Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta, has his own stimulus package on tap: his 2009/2010 HNJ fall ...
Matters of the art
Original at journalgazette.net
• Mon, Jun 1
IN And then, in a moment of serendipity, I found it: Fashion in Bloom. It is a look at how flowers have inspired fashion designers throughout the ages, from a French dress made in the 1700s to a Bill Blass design created last century. ...
Course of Style: Crazy Like a Cat
Original at Golf.com
• Thu, May 14
NY Many top fashion designers have depended on this business, not just for sowing good will but also for solid sales volume. Bill Blass and Donna Karan, for instance, generated millions from trunk shows—not to mention attracting a kind of customer loyalty ...
Fashion as protest? Karol Collymore
Original at BlueOregon
• Sun, May 10
OR He of course means himself and others like Bill Blass, Chanel, and Valentino. Worse, this guy doesn't like Mrs. Obama's outfits. I mean really, who's going to wear his taffeta nightmares? Instead, the First Lady chooses new and different designers like ...
Reasons why we love Bea Arthur
Original at Sun-Sentinel.com
• Mon, Apr 27
FL - Rod Stafford Hagwood I once saw her sitting front row at a Bill Blass fashion show in New York next to Angela Lansbury. They were talking about their favorite Tony award gowns. • She said: "God will get you for that Arthur," on Maude . • She had the funniest cameo (as a ...
Officers seize counterfeit jeans at port of Hampton Roads
Original at hamptonroads.com
• Sat, Apr 25
Counterfeit jeans seized at the Port of Hampton Roads were made to look like designer brands such as Bill Blass and Rocawear (Photo courtesy of US Customs and Border Patrol). By Patrick Wilson Customs officers seized more than $400000 in counterfeit ...
A Man — and Woman — in Full [Mike Potemra]
Original at National Review Online Blogs
• Thu, Apr 23
NY When people would ask me what they were really like, I found it difficult to avoid lapsing into "Current Biography" boilerplate: wit, yachting, erudition, socialite, peanut-butter sandwiches, Bill Blass, JS Bach, etc. new New York Times Magazine has a ...
Magazine Preview Growing Up Buckley
Original at New York Times
• Thu, Apr 23
United States - Christopher Buckley The total effect is that of Mary Magdalene dressed by Bill Blass. I stammered out my thanks to Joe for everything he'd done for her. He asked, “Do you want to leave the respirator in or let nature take its course?” I said, “Let's remove the respirator. ...
Not much to write home about Talking fashion in Nepal: Flashes in ...
Original at Republica
• Fri, Mar 27
Nepal KATHMANDU, March 27: Not every fashion designer in Nepal is as lucky and gifted as Prabal Gurung, who worked as a designing director for the celebrated New York fashion house, Bill Blass. In February this year, Gurung even launched his first namesake ...
A Frabjous Day's Trading For The Fabulous; Will Bill Blass Return To The Runway This September?
Original at Jezebel
• Fri, Mar 27
By TatianaTheAnonymousModel But it isn't all rosy on the business side. H&M's profits have fallen for the first time in five years. Their first-quarter net profit was down by 12%, which was worse than analysts had expected. [WSJ] Marc Ecko Enterprises owes business partners $170 million. $100 million of that is due t...
St. Mary of Knobs students depict famous Hoosiers for pretend exhibit
Original at Evening News and Tribune
• Wed, Mar 11
IN Clayton Jordan picked Bill Blass, a famous designer, since he likes to pick out clothes. “I think it’sa really nice experience because you get to learn more things and it works your mind, and it’s also fun because you get to dress up in front of your ...
First, Lady GaGa Came For Your Pants, And You Said Nothing
Original at Jezebel
• Wed, Feb 4
By TatianaTheAnonymousModel Back in the realm of actual designers, Prabal Gurung (the other guy who used to design for Bill Blass) is presenting a self-funded 20-look collection at New York fashion week. He intends to grow the label slowly as a foil against the recession. “Controlled distribution is my mantra," says G...
Blass Second-in-Command Prabal Gurung Takes the Reins for Fall 2009
Original at fashionologie
• Tue, Feb 3
gt;>He filled in as chief designer at Bill Blass for the Spring 2008 season before Peter Som took over, and was set to produce the Fall 2009 Blass collection after Som left until things with the label fell apart. Now former Blass design director Prabal Gurung is striking out on his own wi...
Gurung Launches Signature Label
Original at Women's Wear Daily
• Wed, Jan 21
- by Rosemary Feitelberg NEW YORK — After five years at Bill Blass, Prabal Gurung is launching a signature label with a fashion presentation Feb. ...
Lunchtime Snap: New Bill Blass Designer — Who Should it Be?
Original at WSJ.com
• Tue, Jan 6
According to the Chapter 7 filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan on Dec. 31, Bill Blass Ltd. listed $191,611 in assets and $829,320 in liabilities. Its list of dozens of creditors included companies that sold silk and fur as well as firms ranging from Poland Spring to Ford Models Inc. and t...
Bill Blass Couture Bankrupt
Original at fashionologie
• Mon, Jan 5
gt;>Last week it seemed like NexCen had finally gotten Bill Blass sent off in a neat, tidy package all tied up with a bow; new owner Peacock International Holdings even vowed to revive the couture line within the year, new designer and all.
Bill Blass Files for Chapter 7
Original at Wall Street Journal
• Fri, Jan 2
- than five months after NexCen Brands Inc. acquired the iconic sportswear designer. The company recently sold its Bill Blass licensing business for about ... Bill Blass Bankruptcy Sheds Spotlight On The Soft Upper End CNNMoney.com all 4 news articles
First American Brands Sets Blass 8
Original at Women's Wear Daily
• Mon, Dec 29
Even as the ownership of the Bill Blass Couture fashion house is determined, First American Brands, is adding to the Bill Blass Couture fragrance collection.
Michael Vollbracht on Targeting The Bill Blass Lady
Original at WSJ.com
• Mon, Dec 29
As for his old stomping ground, Mr. Vollbracht has advice for Peacock International Holdings, LLC, the New York shirt and tie-manufacturer that announced this morning that it had purchased the Blass label from NexCen Brands, Inc. “You need the Blass DNA – it’s crucial,” says Mr. Vollbrach...
Bill Blass Sold; Couture Line to Remain Intact
Original at fashionologie
• Mon, Dec 29
After months of trying to sell the brand to no avail, NexCen has finally found a buyer for Blass — midtier apparel manufacturer Peacock International Holdings, who nabbed the great American sportswear label for a steal — $10 million, compared to the $25 million NexCen was looking for in S...
Bill Blass’s New Owners Plan to Revive Couture Line
Original at WSJ.com
• Mon, Dec 29
“The recognition factor of the Bill Blass label is very high — in this country alone, it’s 88% — when you say ‘Bill Blass’ to just about anybody, they say, “Oh, Bill Blass,’” says Mr. Patti, who adds that the company has some designers in mind to helm the new collection but “we can’t mention the...
The Long Fall of the House of Blass
Original at New York Times
• Wed, Dec 24
United States - Associated Press The fashion designer Bill Blass, shown in 1961, dressed, drank and dined with the cream of New York society. Blass, arguably the most ...
Bill Blass Design Director Departs
Original at WSJ.com
• Fri, Dec 19
Mr. Gurung, who joined Bill Blass from Cynthia Rowley in 2003, was among the 20-something employees let go Friday as the label prepares to shutter its couture line. “It’s disappointing,” Mr. Gurung said in an interview Friday afternoon. “It’s really an end of an era. (The brand) Bill Blass was...
Lunchtime Snap: Should Bill Blass Couture Be Revived?
Original at WSJ.com
• Fri, Dec 19
Mr. Blass was an American fashion pioneer in many ways. Born in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1922, Mr. Blass pursued his artistic calling at Parsons, the New School for Design and wound up building an empire on fashions that were chic and tailored yet distinctly American. His pieces were clean-cut, sop...
Bill Blass Couture To Close
Original at WSJ.com
• Thu, Dec 18
The brand had been in limbo since its troubled parent company, NexCen Brands Inc., put the company on sale earlier this year. The label didn’t show its high-end line at New York fashion week in September; its designer, Peter Som, left in October and was not replaced.
The Daily Thread: Woolworths to Close, Bill Blass Closure Likely, Nike’s Profits Rise
Original at WSJ.com
• Thu, Dec 18
Nearly a decade after Bill Blass retired from Seventh Avenue, the company that bears his name is closing, with many of its remaining staff expected to leave this week. According to current and former designers who have carried on the collection in recent years, the company will close its s...
Bye, bye Bill Blass: Label closes its doors for good
Original at Catwalk Queen
• Thu, Dec 18
By Kimberley Foster Bill Blass has been on shaky ground ever since Peter Som left in October, and maybe even before then. Now reports are telling us that the American label is shutting its doors for good... Bill Blass has been on shaky ground ever since Peter Som left in October, and maybe even before then. Now report...
Bill Blass Officially Closing
Original at fashionologie
• Wed, Dec 17
The company canceled its Spring 2009 collection due to a severe cash squeeze, and Som was never replaced; Nexcen, who is still trying to sell Bill Blass in hopes that the runway collection will be revitalized, is to the point of selling samples from the Bill Blass archives at discounts of 9...
Peter Som Out For Good at Bill Blass
Original at fashionologie
• Tue, Oct 28
Som left the brand after his contract expired a week and a half ago to focus on his own label, and Prabal Gurung, longtime second-ranking design director at Bill Blass, will be working with the existing team to produce the Fall 2009 Blass collection.
The Best Obama T-Shirt Yet?
Original at Huffington Post
• Fri, Oct 17
By The Huffington Post News Editors With the election less than a month away, Obamaniacs are eager to wear their hearts on their sleeves. But for fashion snobs, this can cause a dilemma: Just how to incorporate a bright blue Obama tee into one's fall wardrobe? Luckily, Bill Blass design director Prabal Gurung has whipped up a...
Fashion Review Graphic, Graceful and Slightly Perverse
Original at New York Times
• Wed, Sep 10
United States - Sep 10, 2008 This was an old Bill Blass trick, luxing up the basics. Mr. Reyes showed some chic shirtdresses and gazar tops that also called to mind the old guard, ...
News Flash. Peter Som NOT Out At Bill Blass, After All.
Original at Second City Style
• Mon, Jul 28
By Lauren Dimet Waters Peter Som will stay on at Bill Blass as creative director, even though there has been major speculation that he was leaving. According to WWD and New York Magazine, the designer hasn't been paid in months, since Blass's parent company,. ...
Fashion Inc. Morning Headlines: DeBeers Profits Plunge, Revlon Gets a New Oscar Winner, A Blass From the Past, Seeing Through Galliano Glasses, Whole Shoes, and Chaiken Sets its Heart on San Francisco
Original at Conde Nast Portfolio
• Mon, Jul 28
By Merle Ginsberg DeBeers Profits Plunge (WWD) Designer Peter Som will indeed be leaving Bill Blass, which was reported on Friday - but he's contractually obligated to stay through the spring 2009 showing in Bryant Park in September It is said that Som is working furiously to find a way out of his contract.
Peter Som, Bill Blass Still Up in the Air; Anna Wintour Steps In
Original at fashionologie
• Mon, Jul 28
The basis for all the unrest seems to be Nexcen's financial constraints: The company can't support what Som envisioned for Blass. However, the prospect of a Spring 2009 collection shown to retailers only is being tossed around, and if Blass is bought by a company that can lend better finan...
Peter Som Out at Bill Blass; Matthew Williamson May Have Same Fate at Pucci
Original at fashionologie
• Fri, Jul 25
Peter Som has submitted his resignation at Bill Blass because he "was unhappy with the control Blass' management tried to execute over his creative aesthetic" and has "been fighting with them since he got there." Emilio Pucci, meanwhile, is rumored to have approached a few design assist...
Exclusive -- Peter Som Not Resigning From Bill Blass
Original at Conde Nast Portfolio
• Thu, Jul 24
By Lisa Marsh Michael Bastian is the menswear designer for Bill Blass. Peter Som did not return emails for comment. by Lisa MarshRelated Links Designer Catch: Bill Blass Signs Peter Som Back to the Future New York Fashion Week: How To Fight Recession
Fashion's Bright Idea Dims
Original at Conde Nast Portfolio
• Mon, May 19
Michael Barbaro of the New York Times notes that "the troubles at NexCen have riveted New York's fashion community, because of the uncertainty regarding Bill Blass. NexCen had promised to revive the clothing brand, which has struggled ...
Behind the Seams Bill Blass Hits Saks Fifth Avenue
Original at All Women's Talk
• Thu, Apr 3
By fabsugar We’ve seen Peter Som’s Fall ‘08 debut collection for Bill Blass, and I loved it so dearly, I want you to see it again, more close up.A trunk show was held at the Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC, where the runway creations were brought to buyers and socialites. Notice them in the background, meticulous...
And The CFDA Nominees Are .... Boring.
Original at Portfolio.com
• Tue, Mar 11
By Lauren Goldstein Crowe This year the men's race is the one to watch both as an indicator of what the CFDA values more -- design merit or the all-American tradition of brand building. Related Links New York Fashion Week: Men's Edition Friday Fun! Because Fashion Shouldn't Be All Work, Work, Work
This Fall, We'll All Be Perfectly Princessy Ophelias Channeling David Bowie
Original at Jezebel
• Thu, Feb 7
By Dodai Fashion week stomps on! Yesterday's collections included Derek Lam, Tommy Hilfiger, Reem Acra, Calvin Klein, Bill Blass and Zac Posen. The day saw lots of tragically romantic dresses (Ophelias on opium) and lots of skinny, menswear-inspired suits for women (David Bowie). Derek Lam's c...
NYC Fashion Week Preview: The newcomers
Original at Styledash
• Mon, Jan 28
By Lauren Messiah Filed under: Designers, Fashion Week: New York Fashion week is a little more than a week away and the excitement is building, especially for the seven designers who will be showing off their collections inside the Tents for the first time during New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park.
Ralph Lauren Is Really F'ing Rich, And Not Particularly Embarrassed About It!
Original at Jezebel
• Thu, Aug 2
By Jennifer Everyone's favorite self-hating Jew, Ralph Lifshitz, is the highest-paid "vendor" (what they call "manufacturers" that don't really manufacture) in apparel. No really, it's not just a fantasy image he uses to get you to buy those horrid Big Pony shirts: dude is loaded. [WWD, sub req'd]
Now That Sarah Silverman Is On Gap's Payroll, You 'Really' Won't Be Able To Resist Those Khakis...
Original at Jezebel
• Tue, Jul 24
By Jennifer Hubert Givenchy? A little bitter! The retired designer says that "Fashion is over!" because the whole business now revolves around making giant, ugly handbags. Also bitter? One of our favorite fashion bitches, resigned Bill Blass designer Michael Vollbracht, who says, "When making b...
Paris Hilton Must Be Stopped
Original at Jezebel
• Fri, Jul 6
By Jennifer Who says the English are all stodgy? They spend more on clothing than any other group of people in Europe, except the Italians. [Telegraph] Peter Som: next head designer at Bill Blass? And if so, will he break the Blass losing streak? [WWD, 2nd item] Vogue crisis! Marni designer's Consuelo...
Sale Of The Century
Original at Gothamist
• Tue, Jun 12
By Jen Carlson The muse for Yves Saint Laurent inspired as much as she collected, and prior to her death in 2005, the 74 year old filled several rooms of her Park Avenue home with her couture collection. Last year, this same collection was exhibited at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Ar...
Six Reasons We Are Gay For Designer Michael Vollbracht
Original at Jezebel
• Fri, Jun 1
By Jennifer A point of clarification: Sure, we called just-resigned Bill Blass designer Michael Vollbracht a "bitch" last week. And we stand by that claim — word on the street is that Vollbracht, who in all fairness never saw the kind of success of he should have (um, paging Patrick Robinson?), is a pai...
Vollbracht resigns from Blass empire Kansas City native quits Bill Blass
Original at Kansas City Star
• Wed, May 30
When Michael Vollbracht was named head designer of Bill Blass four years ago, it took the fashion industry by surprise.
Twiggy Hits Anne Heche Territory
Original at Jezebel
• Tue, May 29
By Jennifer Once-iconic label Bill Blass [Remember the Bill Blass Barbie? Uh, we didn't either. -Ed.] has lost head Michael Volbracht. Details are still emerging, though it could have to do with the fact that Volbracht was a total bitch whose designs critics sorta found unspectacular. [WWD, sub req'd]