NEW YORK, United States — The current Bill Blass showroom, with its soaring ceilings and hardwood floors, is relatively close to 550 7th Avenue, the Garment District building where the late designer held court before he sold his eponymous company in 2000. Culturally, though, it’s miles away. The neighbourhood surrounding 236 Fifth Avenue — called NoMad — is full of technology startups, hip boutique hotels like Ace and NoMad, and retailers like Parisian import Maison Kitsuné.