1900-1972 Norman Norell

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell beaded silk crepe evening dress, c.1968

The designer let his signature mermaid theme evolve into a more figure-forgiving shape. Norell retained the high neckline, overall beading, and lean hip-hugging shape, but expanded the bodice with fabulous batwing sleeves. The covered-up look is broken only by deep figure-revealing slits: one in the front skirt and the other in the bodice back. The contour waistline gracefully dips from slightly below the bust to the waist in back.

This glamorous dress is fashioned from black silk crepe covered with black glass bugle beads. The dress is unlined, allowing the weight of the fabric to cling to the figure. The skirt and sleeves close with zippers. The batwing sleeves are cut-in-one with the bodice.

vintagetextile

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell wool coat, c.1965-1970

With its strong color and pure lines, this knockout bubblegum pink wool coat, minimally accented with black buttons, showcases Norell's artful simplicity. The knee-length, belted coat features a wide flat collar and patch pockets. The coat is lined with matching pink taffeta.

Norell showed that great design could also be simple design. He avoided extraneous detail, which detracted from the main design idea. As Vogue wrote in 1966, "One coat is all he believes in, and one coat is all he shows—and it's enough."

vintagetextile

 

[DosViolines]

Norell wool double knit dress, 1960s

Fashioned from bubblegum-pink wool double knit, the dress is comfortable and easy to wear. The scooped neckline is cut low in front, and even lower in back, adding pizzazz to an otherwise tailored design.

The dress is totally lined with matching silk crepe. The patch pockets and wide belt are casually relaxed. The hand stitched zipper, hand finishing, and self-bound buttonholes are details expected on a couture garment.

vintagetextile

 

[DosViolines]

Norell Topper
American, 1967
Shocking pink double faced wool, with four patch pockets and curved shirttail hem

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Black Afternoon Dress and Suit
American, 1963 and 1962
Comprising a wool crepe day dress, sleeveless with bateau neck, bias bodice, softly gathered skirt with unusual side pockets, labeled: Norman Norell/New York, and a wool crepe day suit with bolero jacket with shawl collar and softly gathered skirt

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Late Day Ensemble
American, 1965
Black and white abstract spotted print silk, with fitted overblouse and softly gathered skirt

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Afternoon Polka Dot Ensemble and Afternoon Suit
American, 1965
The first a yellow shantung gazar ensemble with embroidered black polka dots, the sleeveless dress with bateau neckline, fitted bodice and black sash, the jacket with long fitted sleeves and standing bias collar; the afternoon suit, of sunflower yellow linen, the demi fitted sleeveless bodice with bateau neckline and soft skirt, the double breasted jacket with black beaded buttons

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Late Day Ensemble
American, 1965
Black silk gazar with cream embroidered daisies allover, the dress with matching raglan sleeved cardigan jacket and satin tied waist, labeled: Norman Norell/New York.

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Sportif Day Suit and Coat Dress
American, 1969
Tangerine wool jersey suit, single breasted jacket with jewel neck, patch pockets, patent leather belt and black shiny buttons down the side, slender skirt, labeled: Deborah, the tangerine coat dress, of asymmetrical design, with long sleeves, jewel neckline and buttoned from left shoulder to hem, labeled: Norell.

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Fire Red Cocktail Dress
1960s
The red silk long sleeve shirtdress, with sash, having large rhinestone buttons from collar to hem, labeled: Norman Norell for Bonwit Teller.

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Peppermint Day Coat
American, 1968
Standing collar, shirt sleeves, double breasted, with diagonal patch pockets and topstitched belt

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Three Norman Norell Neon Safari Style Coats
American, 1969
The first, of neon yellow wool twill, with four buttoned flap pockets, with cream buttons and belt, the second, of neon orange wool twill, the third, of pink wool twill, with two flap breast pockets and bottom tab pockets

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norell Evening Coat
1960s
Black double breasted wool coat with large rhinestone buttons, with drop waist belt, front pockets and three-quarter sleeves

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Day Coat
American, fall 1969
Double faced wool with brown and white abstract pattern, double breasted with brown buttons, shirt sleeve and diagonal patch pockets

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Late Day Coat
American, 1967
Black wool melton, double breasted with bold diamante buttons, diamante half-belt in back

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norell Cocktail Coat Dress
American, 1967
Black wool jersey, with four patch pockets and diamante banding.

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Luxury Sportswear Evening Ensemble
American, 1968
Comprising a yellow jersey top with allover sequins, with slender skirt and straight legged pants of matching yellow crepe

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Genie Outfit
American, 1967
Electric blue, silk crepe, bare midriff top and skirt trimmed in large diamante embroidery

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Evening Dress
American, 1967
Black wool low V front and back, with diamante button trim from top to bottom

doylenewyork

 

[DosViolines]

Norman Norell Casual Evening Dress
American, 1967
Black sleeveless bateau neck, softly gathered long skirt, with two patch pockets and satin tie at waist.

doylenewyork