Bill Blass is still a tough act to follow

Newest Bill Blass designer, Jeffrey Monteiro, does not have an easy road to hoe, being the fifth designer for this brand since Bill Blass retired in 1999 (he died in 2002).

That said, at his small presentation at Lincoln Center early Wednesday morning (yikes, 8:30 a.m.), Monteiro, who formerly worked with Derek Lam, captured a bit of that Blass verve, producing some modern, ladylike looks.  Among them a series of red dresses, one crocheted, that were authentically “Blass red,” said Monteiro, who searched the Blass archives, looking for the exact color. 

A few striped chiffon gowns were subtle and more than serviceable, a pretty pale blue cocktail dress with a knotted front would be welcome in most wardrobes, while a navy suit read a tad mumsy.