Bill Blass New York: Done

jessica stam walks bill blass.jpg The ongoing, public death of the Bill Blass brand’s hit a new chapter today:

NextCen, Bill Blass’ financially troubled parent company, hasn’t been able to sell the line formerly designed by Peter Som to anybody yet (unsurprisingly, nobody wants to buy a troubled fashion house right now), and they’re liquidating part of their business.

Translation? As of right now, unless some other company comes along and inexplicably buys Bill Blass, the company might be on the fast track to completely shutting down, and you can expect some kind of blow-out sale so NextCen can rid themselves of the leftover inventory shortly. Apparently, NextCen has a $30 million loan on their hands from buying Great American Cookie, a baking chain they bought from Mrs. Field’s this past February, so it makes sense to them to liquidate their weakest-performing company - Bill Blass New York, whose Spring orders were seriously lacking - in order to get the cash they need.

This sounds like it’s pretty much out of everybody’s hands, even Anna’s.

posted by la petite fashionista

Nov 21, 2008 9:03AM

this is so sad.. i hope it is not a sign of what's to come. damn this recession!

posted by guest

Nov 21, 2008 10:08AM

Bill Blass New York, the direct sales BRIDGE line is closing-not Bill Blass Couture, which is shown on runways and sold in department stores! Did you guys not read the WWD article?

Nov 21, 2008 10:15AM

um, i think they read it just fine. bill blass is not couture, it's designer - theres a difference there.

Nov 21, 2008 10:23AM

Bill Blass New York is sold like tupperware parties and is priced similarly to DKNY.
It is a completely different entity from Bill Blass Couture (that is what they call it because of the price point and made to order business) which was explained in the WWD article.

Nov 21, 2008 8:43PM

Confused. Bill Blass New York I understand is basic tacky wear.

But isn't there a ready-to-wear line before you jump to couture?

posted by ani

Nov 22, 2008 12:47PM

Anon#5 that would be "demi-couture". ;)

Dec 07, 2008 7:42PM

To all of you who really do not know about Bil Blass New York I feel for you. The line was sold from consultant's homes in an appointment only venue. It was not like a tupperware party! The price points were more like Akris Punto and Armani Collezione rather than DKNY. Carlisle and Worth are 2 other direct sales companies that operate in much the same way. The workmanship of the blass line was excellent and the design fashion forward but wearable. Nex Cen did not own this company. The single financier was Angelo Gordon. I hope this clarifies it for all of you.