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Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

American, 1900-1972

The signature details that characterize vintage Norman Norell evening dresses include classically tailored silhouettes, feminine round necklines and tenderly applied beading, carefully inspected both inside and out. Pop culture icon Marilyn Monroe wore many of Norell’s classic dresses over the years. And as a young model for a Seventh Avenue clothing manufacturer, screen siren Lauren Bacall liked to scour the racks of Loehmann’s with her mother, looking for the odd piece by a famous designer like Norell. 

Norell began his career in his early 20s, designing costumes for Paramount Pictures and Brooks Costume Company, as well as for esoteric vaudeville productions. The theater remained a major source of inspiration throughout his career. Often drenched in beads or sequins, a material that remained readily available despite wartime restrictions, his show-stopping mermaid gowns, a marriage of glitz and simplicity, harken back to the days of vaudeville. He continued to design these gowns until the end of his life.

Raised in a family of haberdashers, Norell was long-influenced by the cuts, fabrics and details of traditional menswear, and he sought to incorporate those concepts into his designs. In 1960, at a moment when women were not yet wearing pants to work, he made waves when he presented his then-controversial wool flannel culotte suit. Some years later, he designed a black dinner suit with a bow-tie, beating Yves Saint Laurent to the punch, and later still, he conceived a feminine version of an aviator jumpsuit.

A creature of habit, Norell stuck with many of his classic designs throughout his career, but he continued to experiment with avant-garde ideas for evening garments. This was perhaps most vividly expressed in his wild coats, runway crowd-pleasers adorned with ostrich feathers or massive red and pink flowers.  

A fan of a full dirndl, Norell made skirts that ranged from delicately creased to voluminous balloons, and he frequently paired these with pleated blouses or tight turtlenecks. One of the first designers to incorporate traditional elements of sportswear into his evening attire, a typical Norell evening gown was divided into three separate colors: one for the top, one for the skirt and one for the sash. And vintage Norman Norell gowns are inherently versatile — they’re as modern today as they were decades ago. The little black dresses that Norell designed offered similar flexibility. Perfectly simple and sexy are the round necklines, which Norell introduced to declutter his dresses and allow for a more modern look.

Norell was the first American designer to have his name on a dress label and on a successful fragrance. He possessed a refined elegance and a quiet audacity that he expressed through timeless, wearable pieces boldly embellished with luxe trimmings. His work would come to redefine the American ready-to-wear industry and earn him the nickname the “American Balenciaga.” He received the inaugural Coty Award for womenswear and was the first designer inducted into the fashion industry critics’ hall of fame.

Find vintage Norman Norell day dresses, suits, jackets and other clothing on 1stDibs.

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Designer: Norman Norell
1960s Norman Norell Couture Black Wool Gabardine Size 8 Vintage 60s Skirt Suit
By Norman Norell
Located in San Diego, CA
Super chic 1960s NORMAN NORELL Couture black wool gabardine belted skirt suit ! Purchased from Montaldo’s for $1,200 in the 60s by original owner. That is equivalent to over $12,000 ...
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1960s American Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Norman Norell Belted Maxi Skirt Evening Suit With Cropped Jacket, 1968
By Norman Norell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Norman Norell (1900-1972) is considered to be one of the original fashion designers of the modern American style. His sophisticated silhouettes were both tailored and timeless with ...
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1960s American Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Norman Norell 1960s Size 12 Tan / Camel 60s Vintage Blazer Jacket + Skirt Suit
By Norman Norell
Located in San Diego, CA
Such a classic skirt and jacket suit set by NORMAN NORELL! This chic 60s ensemble is the perfect camel color, that will get you through all the months of the year. Haute Couture quality, with an amazing wool fabric! Chic brown buttons up the bodice of the jacket, with functional pockets at both breasts, and at both sides of the waist. High waisted pencil skirt, with flattering darts, and metal zipper, and button at waistband. Both pieces work fantastic together, or as separates! Fully lined. Approximately Size 12 Made in France Pictured vintage OSCAR DE LA RENTA hat...
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1960s French Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Norman Norell Couture Black Tailored Skirt Suit / Sleeveless Top, 1960s
By Norman Norell
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Norman Norrell is one of the most notable American designers throughout history. Indiana born, Norrell was a keen womenswear designer working primarily in gowns but also in clean, ta...
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1960s American Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Norman Norell 1940s Matte Jersey Corseted Blouse and Skirt
By Norman Norell
Located in Carmel, CA
Norman Norell vintage 1940s black matte jersey blouse and skirt set. Blouse has a laced attached boned and corseted faille corset waistband and dolman cut sleeves. Skirt has a side m...
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Early 20th Century American Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Norell Vintage 1960's Tweed Skirt Suit
By Norman Norell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Norell Vintage 1960's Tweed Skirt Suit with inset button holes and 2 front patch pockets. Skirt is lined and has a side sipper with hook closure. *ALL MEASUREMENTS TAKEN FLAT* Jack...
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1960s American Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

1960's Norman Norell Royal Blue Silk 3 pc. Ensemble
By Norman Norell
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Darling minimalist and quintessential 1960's 3 piece silk ensemble from Normal Norell. Jacket lis open cardigan style with 3/4 sleeves and patch pockets. Tops is sleeveless with a ...
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1960s American Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Possible Norman Norell Metallic black & Gold stripe suit
By Norman Norell
Located in New York, NY
This Metallic black and gold stripe skirt and matching coat is fully lined. The patch pockets on the coat measures 8 1/2" x 9 height, and the sleeves are 23 1/2", circumference is 10...
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1960s Norman Norell Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

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Norman Norell wool Dress Cape Ensemble, 1960s
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1950s Norman Norell Color Block Dress and Cape Set
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Norman Norell suits, outfits and ensembles for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Norman Norell suits, outfits and ensembles available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of blue and other tones. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Bob Mackie, Adele Simpson, and Mary McFadden appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Norman Norell suits, outfits and ensembles from top boutiques around the world. Norman Norell suits, outfits and ensembles prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $5,895, while the average work can sell for $1,200.

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