Fragrance house

Bill Blass

William Ralph Blass established the Bill Blass fashion house in 1970 after buying Maurice Rentner Ltd. and renaming it Bill Blass Ltd. The house developed an American design identity that paired the simplicity and practicality of sportswear with the elegance associated with New York society. Its product world later extended beyond clothing to accessories, home furnishings, licensed lines, and perfume; a Bill Blass signature fragrance was introduced in 1978. Blass was a founding member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and received its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. After presenting his Spring 2000 collection, he retired, and ownership passed to Haresh Harani and Michael Groveman. NexCen Brands acquired Bill Blass Holding Co. in 2007, then sold its Bill Blass licensing business to Peacock International Holdings in December 2008. Following a six-season runway hiatus, the label returned in 2015 under Chris Benz’s creative direction with a substantially reworked contemporary identity. Its current brand narrative emphasizes style, innovation, quality, practicality, and sustainability.