Mr Blass is at The Helm

OCTOBER 30 11:30 AM
KERRY PIERI  | FASHION NEWS

All of us already knew that Bill Blass was planning a relaunch, but now, we lastly know who will spearhead it all: Chris Benz, who took a break from their eponymous label in 2013, is taking the helm as creative director from the storied American brand. "The reason Chris is on board is because we desired a top-flight designer-someone who paralleled Mr. Blass, " Stuart M. Goldblatt, the company's president and chief operating officer, tells WWD. "We were viewing a video interview with Mr. Blass and he was asked if he will actually retire. He said, 'No, this is a young business. The only way I can stay about is by reinventing myself. ' The whole idea was to bring in an American designer who else understands the woman today and who is highly social just as Mr. Blass had been. "

Since Bill Blass's retirement in 1999, Steven Slowik, Lars Nilsson, Michael Vollbracht, Peter Som, and Jeffrey Monteiro have all taken the top place at the label, but Benz is looking forward. He tells WWD he is thinking about "what feels modern today, what women need and want today beyond seasons, huge collections and overdevelopment with not only design and product however how he would be running his business, taking advantage of social media and new systems for personality connections with the customer. As a designer looking to the future, you do not want to get lost in the archives. "

Benz also hails from New York City's Top East Side, the veritable stomping grounds of the original Bass woman. Their aesthetic leans feminine and polished, with ladies like the First one, Michelle Obama, donning his wares. We look forward to seeing what his work looks like having a Bass label attached.

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