Bill Blass: Fort Wayne’s Fashion Designer

June 22, 2022 - September 18, 2022

Fort Wayne Museum of Art

Fort Wayne, IN​

In honor of his 100th birthday, I designed two exhibitions to highlight the life and legacy of American designer and World War II veteran, Bill Blass.

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Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Blass’ signature simple yet striking designs are not only distinctly American—they are clearly tied to his upbringing in the relaxed and conservative Midwest. At the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, I designed the first ever exhibition of Blass’ designs in Fort Wayne, taking viewers on a journey of his fashion career from the 1950s to the 2000s. The selections displayed not only demonstrate the shift and craft of fashion throughout these decades, but also the development of Blass’ no-fuss Midwest-American style.

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A sister exhibition at the Fort Wayne History Center walks viewers through Blass' personal life, showcasing his upbringing in Fort Wayne, time in the mysterious Ghost Army, and marketing prowess. 

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The over 100 objects in these shows were loaned from the Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection, Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, Indiana University; Indiana State Museum; Bill Blass Group in New York City; the Allen County Public Library; and private friends and family members of the designer.

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These shows were part of a larger city-wide celebration in the summer of 2022 consisting of over 10 events, 4 public sculptures, 3 exhibitions, 3 lectures, and a public archive. The celebration's success led to the creation of Bill Blass Legacy, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving the life and legacy of Bill Blass, of which I am a founding board member. More information on the organization can be found HERE.