Early 1970s Bill Blass Couture Hand Beaded Lion Print Dress w Elaborate Feather Collar z-archive-1920s The shawl or portrait collar

The shawl or portrait collar is expansive and covers the entire shoulder - in notes for other shawled collared dress The Met comments "A full skirt balances a nipped waist or a portrait collar counteracts a fitted bodice in numerous examples of Dior's work"

It would make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration

It closes with a back painted metal and nylon zipper

It is a beautiful and elegant piece that may not be as 'mod' in feel as some of Cardin's other pieces during this time period but shows the breadth of his talent and the high level of glamour that he was capable of

Early 1970s Bill Blass Couture Hand Beaded Lion Print Dress w Elaborate Feather Collar z-archive-1920s The shawl or portrait collarBill Blass launched his label in 1970 when he bought out the Maurice Rentner label and re launched it under his own name. This has a similar feel to a dress I had in the shop a few years back that dated to 1971 and I suspect that this is from that same time period. Blass was arguably one of the most famous of the American designers. His forte was the ability to mix simple styles with unexpected materials in way that was very flattering to the wearer.