Norman Norell Pink Silk Vintage Dress W Silver & Clear Sequins & Sheer Sleeves
View Similar Items
Norman Norell Pink Silk Vintage Dress W Silver & Clear Sequins & Sheer Sleeves
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some scattered sequin loss, minor underarm discoloration.
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:Seller: F27221stDibs: LU22324301143
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.
- Sonia Rykiel Vintage Raspberry Red Crushed Velvet Dress W/ Ruffled High Low HemBy Sonia RykielLocated in Portland, ORThis is a gorgeous raspberry pink crushed velvet Sonia Rykiel vintage dress with a unique double layered ruffled high to low hem. It has spa...Category
Late 20th Century French Evening Dresses
- Issey Miyake Vintage Pleats Please Raspberry Pink Pleated Long DressBy Pleats Please, Issey MiyakeLocated in Portland, ORThis bold raspberry red Issey Miyake Pleats Please Dress has hundreds of horizontal plisse pleats (8 per inch) that span the length of...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990s Carolina Herrera Silk Dress in Pink Jacquard Print MOB or Wedding GuestBy Carolina HerreraLocated in Portland, ORThis beautiful Carolina Herrera silk dress would make a great day dress for a wedding guest, a mother of the bride or groom dress, or a perfect evening ...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
$495 Sale Price28% Off - Diane Freis Vintage Pink Watercolor Polka Dot Ruffled Long Organza DressBy Diane FreisLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Diane Freis dress is absolutely stunning! The fabric is a beautiful pink, yellow and purple watercolor design with gold metallic polka d...Category
1980s Hong Kong Evening Dresses
- Vintage Diane Freis Beaded Multi Print Colorful Bold 2 Pc Chiffon DressBy Diane FreisLocated in Portland, ORThis is a fun vintage Diane Freis 2 piece dress in a bold multi patterned print. The easy to wear top has pleated sleeves with elastic cuffs and a fitted waist. with a wide attached ...Category
1980s Hong Kong Day Dresses
$315 Sale Price40% Off - S/S 1990 Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Magenta Pink Wool Shift DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis is a vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche magenta pink wool shift dress from the Spring / Summer 1990 collection. This dress has long sleeves and side slit pockets, with built...Category
1990s European Shift Dresses
- Versace pink medusa logo runway dress, SS 2005By Donatella VersaceLocated in London, GBMy Runway Archive presents this Iconic and super rare runway dress from the Versace SS 2005 collection. Worn by Melania Trump and Lil Kim. A customised...Category
Early 2000s European Evening Dresses
- Christian Dior John Galliano Fall/Winter 2007 Hot Pink Skirt Suit Size 38FRBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLChristian Dior Fall/Winter 2007 Hot Pink Skirt Suit with Crystal Buckle, Snake Skin Belt Size 38FR - John Galliano for Christian Dior.Category
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits
- Gianni Versace Pink DressBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Venezia, ITRare Gianni Versace Couture Pink Dress 1980s - NO RETURNS If you need more information, please contact us!Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace F/W 2002 Star Flower Collage Print Plunge Neck Fit & Flare DressBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Donatella Versace for the fall/winter 2002 collection. This Gianni Versace Couture labeled piece features a multicolor psychedelic floral and star cluster pattern, featured in fashion...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Vintage 1990's Bubblegum Pink Sleeveless Fitted Sheath Dress 38By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Chicago, ILVintage 1990's Dolce & Gabbana sheath dress designed by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Features a crew neckline, rear vent, and figure accentuating darts at front and back. 100%...Category
1990s Italian Sheath Dresses
- MARCHESA NOTTE pink FLORAL STRAPLESS EVENING GownDress 0 XSBy Marchesa NotteLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Marchesa Notte floral corsage midi dress in pink and black nylon (100%). Opens with a concealed zipper and a hook at the back. Lined in black polyester (100%). Brand n...Category
2010s Evening Gowns