"The return of Peter Som to Bill Blass is a wonderful and nostalgic journey for us. Shortly after Peter left his design assistant position at the company, he accepted a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Mr. Blass who was unable to attend the ceremony, and was a milestone accomplishment for the brand," said Michael Groveman, Chief Executive Officer of Bill Blass Ltd LLC.
"It is also a pleasure to welcome the incredibly talented Michael Bastian to the Bill Blass menswear division. He will become the first creative director for menswear the company has had since 1978."
Peter Som, a San Francisco native and graduate of the Parsons School of Design, launched his first collection of women's wear in spring 2001 after honing his skills in the design rooms of Bill Blass, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors.
Som has since emerged as one of the most promising young American designers. His signature style is designing clothes with a spirit of unstudied elegance, best known for their clean yet unfettered feminine appeal.
Som said, "I'm thrilled to return to Bill Blass as the women's creative director. I have always thought fondly of my time there as an assistant designer. I look forward to fully embracing my new role and the exciting future that lies ahead. My current focus is to evolve and modernize the brand by incorporating my own aesthetic while staying true to Mr. Blass' vision and legacy."
The former men's fashion director for Bergdorf Goodman, Michael Bastian launched his own menswear collection in 2006 after noticing a void in the men's designer market for classic American apparel produced at a luxury level and with a modern fit. He was a nominee for the 2007 CFDA Newcomer Menswear Designer of the Year award, as well as a recently announced finalist for this year's CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund award.
"The opportunity to be part of the re-launch of the Bill Blass men's line is incredibly exciting for me. He was always someone I greatly admired, and in my opinion, completely epitomized the idea of the American Gentleman - charming, engaging, caring, always beautifully put together,but in an approachable, loosened-tie sort of way. I am looking forward to reinterpreting these ideals for the modern customer," said Bastian.
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