BLASS Bill (Designer)

Three distinctly American graces capture the essence of Blass's high-style sportswear. Urbane and Europe-aware, but definitely easy to wear and pared-down in ornament, Blass's separates for day and evening, and his dresses for the "cocktail hour" captured the American spirit in functional, elegant clothing. Blass perpetuated the traditions of Norman Norell and Hattie Carnegie in providing smart sophistication for American women. Sweater dressing, even for evening gowns, was a Blass signature; layering and the harmony of rich materials, from silk to cashmere, are favored. Witty references to menswear or vernacular dress were also frequent in Blass. Often referred to as the "dean of American designers", Blass was one of the last of the designers consistently delivering classic good taste, filtering fashion's fluctuations through a fine sieve. He finished his autobiography Bare Blass in 2002 but died before it was published. 

Also look up for Alfaro, Beene, Roehm, Sieff, Underwood