GALLERY See the last designs from Bill Blass in his Spring/Summer 2000 collection     Spring 2000 Collections: Sonia Rykiel Balmain Badgley and Mischka ArmaniClements Ribiero Guinness purses Accessories 2000 Jewelry for 2000 Dries Van Noten Gucci Marc Jacobs Michael Kors Ralph Lauren Chanel Missoni Bill Blass   MESSAGE BOARD Spring/summer 2000 Post your comments on the new collections

December 8, 1999
Web posted at: 11:24 a.m. EST (1624 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- After almost 60 years in the fashion business, Bill Blass is calling it quits with his spring/summer 2000 collection. He's retiring with signature Blass style: vibrant colors, explosive prints, cozy sweaters, comfortable skirts and the sexy little black dress.

"Well, there is no question that color is something that I have had on my board for a long time," the 77-year-old American designer says. "I didn't do any timid pinks or pale blues or things like that. They're really the boldest sort of shocking pink or turquoise or green (and) primary colors, to a large extent."

"Prints were doubtful until about a year ago, and then they suddenly exploded. People like them."

The colors and prints have as much to do with business "cents" as fashion sense. Besides new cuts, Blass says the only way to entice women to buy something is to offer variations on color or fabric.

He uses mainly silk and light wool in the collection. "People the world over want clothes that are lightweight," Blass says. "They may add another layer, but basically the clothes are sheer (and) very, very soft."

Separates are the key to this collection, Blass says, even for evening. He presents sweaters and skirts that can be paired together, or strapless dresses with sweaters or jackets.

"Evening is bare sometimes," he says, "and you know what else is really, really remarkable? God knows we tried to negate it every season, but it's the little black dress.

"The little dress in black chiffon, black silk or something that has just a touch of difference. It's always sexy, no matter what you say. We still cut them so that the leg shows and with great heels."

This season, Blass does high-heel sandals in neutrals -- a change from last spring's flats.

As part of his parting fashion advice, Blass reminds women to wear clothes that make them comfortable. "Comfort means, of course, wearing something that you feel personifies you," he says. "I think you should wear whatever's comfortable for you. If that means wearing shorts all through the winter, I'm all for it."

CNN Style Correspondent Elsa Klensch contributed to this report.

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