Bill Blass, the New York-based fashion brand which was lying dormant for several years, has been given a new lease of life by the Bill Blass Group, LLC, a group responsible for sustaining and building on the legacy of the iconic fashion brand.
The group has appointed the former executive vice president of men’s and children’s apparel for Macy's Private Brands, Stuart Goldblatt, as the new President and Chief Operating Officer of the defunct label.
Under the leadership of the veteran merchandising executive, the group plans to relaunch the brand with a selective collection of women’s and men’s Spring-2016 apparels inspired from its archived looks.
Mr. Goldblatt said in a statement, “Everyone at Bill Blass Group is passionate about infusing new vitality into one of the greatest fashion brands in history. I have received tremendous support from the company’s board, which is committing to investing in our future and creating the foundation for a vibrant global lifestyle brand.”
"To set the stage for the transformation, relaunch and long-term growth of the brand, Bill Blass Group has worked successfully to simplify legacy licenses and to consolidate and take full control of all of its intellectual property and trademarks globally,” he explains.
While speaking about the brand’s eponymous founder he stated, “Bill Blass was a true original, a giant of the fashion industry and the first American designer. He inspired consumers with his sense of timeless glamour and impeccable tailoring, while setting a high standard for personal style and taste that many top designers still aspire to.”
After the release of the initial collection in 2015, the brand will soon expand into other product categories.
Until March, 2014, Mr. Goldblatt was the Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Private Brands at the Macy’s Merchandising Group where he re-launched and repositioned a catalogue of private brands. In the past he had also worked with major retailers like Bloomingdale’s, Lord and Taylor and Carson Pirie Scott.
Known for personifying authentic American chic, impeccable tailoring, and timeless, elegant, simple and luxurious styles, the brand was founded by the late namesake designer Bill Blass in the early 1970s. (PB)
