NORELL BLUE SEQUINED TOP AND CHIFFON SKIRT
About the Item
A casual style predominates, from the shirt-style top to the pleated skirt. Bright blue sequins with a hint of iridescence are distributed solidly over the chiffon ground of the top, which has a spread collar and cap sleeves; it fastens with two snaps in front. A knife-pleated, matching chiffon skirt with side zipper moves gracefully underneath. The ensemble would also look great worn with the jacket open and a camisole underneath.
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Bust: 33 in (83.82 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk chiffon, sequins
- Condition:Very good: some wear to sequins at underarm, waistband needs adjustment.
- Seller Location:Alford, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120305209227
Norman Norell
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Alford, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Bill Blass Pastel Cocktail Dress with Embroidered CageBy Bill BlassLocated in Alford, MABeautifully crafted Bill Blass two-layer dress, the main body a strapless sheath of repeating ribbon stripes in aqua, mint, beige and gray. Skimming over this is a sheer net sleevele...Category
Early 2000s American Cocktail Dresses
- Ivory Lace 1930s Wedding EnsembleLocated in Alford, MAA rare find, this wedding dress and jacket from the 1930s is made of ivory lace and is in excellent condition. The bias-cut dress has a V-neck and empire bo...Category
1930s American Wedding Dresses
- Judy Hornby White-on-White Bias GownBy Judy HornbyLocated in Alford, MAJudy Hornby Couture voided silk bias-cut evening dress with deep cowl neck neck and layered hem, both layers trimmed with pearls. Long sleeves with gathered shoulders and pointed wri...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Emma Domb Rose 1940s GownBy Emma DombLocated in Alford, MAEmma Domb was a California designer known for her cocktail, evening, and wedding attire created first under the Party Lines label and then under the label Emma Domb. This long dress ...Category
1940s American Evening Gowns
- Carolina Herrera Ivory and Metallic DressBy Carolina HerreraLocated in Alford, MASimple and elegant sheath by Carolina Herrera in ivory crepe with silver and gold metallic vertical stripes. Jewel neckline, long sleeves with zippered wrists. Fully lined. Shoulder ...Category
Late 20th Century American Sheath Dresses
- Jean Louis Scherrer 1980s Metallic DressBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Alford, MAJean Louis Scherrer 1980s cocktail dress in feather weight charcoal and silver metallic fabric is distinguished by its extra wide matching belt. High n...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Thierry Mugler Indigo and Black Velvet DressBy Thierry Mugler CoutureLocated in London, GBThis incredible 1990s Mugler dress creates the most flattering and feminine silhouette for the wearer. Made from thick black velvet with indigo blue, almost purple fabric panelling, ...Category
1990s French Sheath Dresses
- ELIE SAAB Sleeveless Evening dress in Blue Silk Size 38FRBy Elie SaabLocated in Paris, FRSublime Elie Saab sleeveless evening dress in blue blend silk. It consists of a cobalt blue lace top on a nude bottom with a button-down shirt collar. The...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Long blue evening dress draped on the bust Emmanuel UngaroBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRLong blue evening dress draped on the bust.Metal buckle on the adjustable shoulder strap. Split in the middle back lenght: 70 cm Bra lining. Zip and hook&eye in the middle back. Bon...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Blue jersey cocktail mini-dress with rhinestone embellishment BlugirlBy BlugirlLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlue jersey cocktail mini-dress with rhinestone embellishment on the neckline and bust. Fabric composition: 92% polyamide, 8% elastane. Button covered with the same fabric and butto...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- VERA WANG White Tulle & Lace Wedding Gown With Gathered Bustier Size 4 10KBy Vera WangLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Vera Wang wedding gown is composed of layers of white tulle and lace . The bodice features a gathered detailing with a boned interior and center back zipper closure. In excellen...Category
20th Century American Wedding Dresses
- Black velvet cocktail dress with blue satin bow draped Guy Laroche BoutiqueBy Guy LarocheLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack velvet cocktail dress with blue satin bow draped. Fabric composition of velvet: 73% cotton, 27% Modal. Satin bow: 100% silk with blue organza lining...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses