1950s Norman Norell Coat
View Similar Items
1950s Norman Norell Coat
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: M, L (US)Shoulder to Hem: 42 in (106.68 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Water Mill, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU140202511137
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.
- Alexander McQueen New Grey and Pink Striped Jacket F/W 1999By Alexander McQueenLocated in Water Mill, NYA grey and pink gradated striped wool jacket by Alexander McQueen. It is double breasted with grey buttons at front and 3 at each cuff. There is light shoulder padding, flap pocket...Category
1990s Italian Double-Breasted Jackets
- Trompe L'oeil Oversize Belted Trench CoatLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous beige and black cotton trompe l'oeil trench coat jacket from Japanese designers Naoki Ichihara, Tadanao Yamashita and Shingo Otsuka for TALK ABOUT ...Category
2010s Japanese Trench Coats
$475 Sale Price45% Off - Walter Van Beirendonck Wild & Lethal Trash Convertible Coat to JacketBy Walter Van BeirendonckLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous convertible silver jacket/coat and hood from Walter Van Beirendonck for Wild and Lethal Trash. The knee length dolman sleeve jacket has a zipp...Category
1990s Italian Coats
$475 Sale Price38% Off - Gianfranco Ferre New Pink Leather Jacket with GrommetsBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous shell pink leather crop jacket by Gianfranco Ferre. It has a bateau neckline, long sleeves, and is covered in rows of silver gradating grommets smaller in size at the top...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Vivienne Westwood Plaid Jacket 1990sBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in Water Mill, NYA great black, grey and tan plaid wool jacket by Vivienne Westwood from her red label collection. It is double breasted with signature orb etched tan colored buttons along the front...Category
1990s English Blazers
- Adele Simpson Belted Coat and Skirt Set 1960sBy Adele SimpsonLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous coat and skirt set from Adele Simpson in off white, burgundy and black plaid wool. The coat has 2 front flap patch pockets, fold back cu...Category
1960s American Coats and Outerwear
- Mariano Fortuny Black Gauze Stencilled Short CoatBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYFortuny translated the caftan as a loose fitting outer garment, usually made out of silk velvet crepe or gauze the fitted back and open front allowed for elaborate stenciled decorati...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Coats
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Aquamarine Gauze Stencilled CoatBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYTransparent Fortuny gauze pieces are based on the ancient tunic which was a shirt like garment that became traditional attire in roman times, the copts or christian egyptians...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Coats
Price Upon Request - A Giuliana Teso Cashmere And Fox Coat, 3/4 Length. Very High Grade Cashmere.Located in Buchanan, MIA Giuliana Teso Cashmere And Fox Coat, 3/4 Length. Very High Grade Cashmere. 4-5 ply. 3/4 length collarless black cashmere coat with silver fox front Size 14Category
20th Century Italian Coats
- Balenciaga Couture Wool Knit Cape, c.1970sBy BalenciagaLocated in New York, NYBalenciaga Couture Wool Knit Cape, c.1970s 1970s Numbered "47778" Balenciaga Couture Grey Wool Knit Cape with thick self material drawstring closure...Category
1970s French Capes
- 2020 'Demand Beauty? Walter Van Beirendonck intarsia coatBy Walter Van BeirendonckLocated in Olhão, PT2020 'Demand Beauty? Walter Van Beirendonck intarsia coat all-over intarsia graphic print, ribbed detailing, cutaway collar, long sleeves, two front patch pockets, below-knee length...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Coats
- Missoni Multicolour Knit Cropped PonchoBy MissoniLocated in Scottsdale, AZMissoni is known for their iconic and playful knits and this cropped poncho is an emblem of the brand. The cropped length gives a fresh take on a poncho and the fringe details adds a...Category
2010s Italian Ponchos