Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Vintage 1950's Traina-Norell Couture Watercolor Iris Floral Print Satin Dress

About the Item

This exquisite Traina-Norell designer dress exemplifies their signature blend of couture-level quality with quintessentially American style— elegant in its simplicity. The gorgeous garment was commissioned by a J. Rivers in New York on October 5th, 1954 and still has her Bergdorf Goodman client tag. The fabric itself is a masterpiece; luxurious large-scale iris floral print silk satin. The bodice has an alluring thin strap shelf-bust with a wide solid black cummerbund. The backside has a flirty back bow-tie design which I personally love. The dramatic nipped waist full circle-skirt finishes this garment off with a perfect "new look" silhouette. As pointed out in the book "Couture: The Great Designers", Norell had a profound influence on the ready-to-wear industry and on younger American designers by insisting that off-the-rack clothing be as fine as made-to-order. The masterful construction and superb quality of this garment more than meets his exacting standards. Measurements Bust: 33-34 inches Waist: 27 inches Hips: Free Sweep Total Length: 44 inches This 1954 Traina-Norell designer dress is in excellent condition with no rips, stains or holes. Fabric is very rich and vibrant. Perfectly working back metal zipper. Inside is immaculate and fully-lined. Original Bergdorf Goodman client tag for J. Rivers from Oct. 5th, 1954 still attached. This garment is highly wearable and an investment piece that will continue to increase in value.
  • Designer:
  • Brand:
  • Dimensions:
    Length: 44 in (111.76 cm)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)
  • Style:
    1950's (Of the Period)
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Beverly Hills, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU30911588172
More From This SellerView All
  • Antique 1910's Julius Garfinckel Couture Beige Embroidered Net-Lace Dress Gown
    Located in Beverly Hills, CA
    Unique mixed-lace dresses from the early 20th century are perennial favorites and this Julius Garfinckel and Co. garment is a showstopper. Garfinckel...
    Category

    1910s American Tea Gowns

  • Vintage 1930's Cartwright Ivory Striped Silk Rayon Cut-Out Maxi Dress & Jacket
    Located in Beverly Hills, CA
    The vibrant rainbow-stripe used on this ivory silk rayon 1930's "Cartwright" designer dress ensemble has a whimsical allure that I find irresistible. The sleeveless bodice has a flir...
    Category

    1930s American Aesthetic Day Dresses

  • Vintage 1950's Jeanne Lafaurie Couture Watercolor Floral Silk Strapless Gown
    Located in Beverly Hills, CA
    Breathtaking Jeanne Lafaurie Couture watercolor garden two-piece gown ensemble dating back to the mid 1950's era of fashion. Jeanne Lafaurie was a Pari...
    Category

    1950s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses

  • Vintage 1960's Helen Rose Couture Fully-Beaded Blush Pink Silk Hourglass Dress
    By Helen Rose
    Located in Beverly Hills, CA
    Breathtaking and incredibly rare Helen Rose designer couture blush-pink beaded cocktail dress dating back to the early 1960's Old Hollywood era. Helen Rose won two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design: for "The Bad and the Beautiful" in 1952 and for "I'll Cry Tomorrow" in 1955. She was nominated a further eight times and was well-known for designing famous iconic looks of the stars of this era. She designed the wedding dress of Grace Kelly when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. She also designed clothing for Elizabeth Taylor in the movies Father of the Bride and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as well as Elizabeth Taylor's bridal gown when she married Conrad Nicky Hilton. Helen Rose, like Edith Head and Irene Lentz, was one of the rare women who became chief costume designer for a major film studio. Her style was elegant and understated but still extremely innovative. This sparkling museum quality dress is a perfect example of her pure genius. The fabric itself is a masterpiece; triple layered blush pink silk chiffon that has been embellished by hand with elegant glass-beads, large crystals, faux pink pearls in the most gorgeous floral motif. Such dazzling 3-dimensional texture! The sculpted low v-neck front and back bodice really compliment the elaborate fabrication. I adore the hourglass nipped waist cocktail silhouette which Helen Rose did so well. Helen's couture line existed from 1957-1971. In 1957, the price for her retail version of the Liz Taylor "Cat" short chiffon dress...
    Category

    1960s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses

  • Vintage 1920's Sadie Nemser Couture Beaded Floral Appliqué Velvet & Lace Dress
    By SADIE NEMSER
    Located in Beverly Hills, CA
    A magnificent and incredibly rare Sadie Nemser Couture velvet and lace 'robe de style' dress dating back to 1924. This garment took my breath away from th...
    Category

    1920s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses

  • Vintage 1950's Anne Verdi Champagne Sequin Lace & Tulle Bustle Back Bridal Dress
    Located in Beverly Hills, CA
    Ethereal 1950's Anne Verdi designer champagne lace hourglass cocktail dress from the Old Hollywood era of glamour! The fabric itself is a masterpiece; high-...
    Category

    1950s American Wedding Dresses

You May Also Like
  • Prada by Miuccia Prada orange silk chiffon slip dress, fw 1996
    By Miuccia Prada
    Located in London, GB
    ▪ Rare Prada evening slip dress ▪ Designed by Miuccia Prada ▪ Fine silk chiffon with geometric print in orange, brown and cream ▪ Sold with a matching Prada nude silk slip dress t...
    Category

    1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • Christian Dior by John Galliano floral silk and lace draped dress, fw 2005
    By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
    Located in London, GB
    ▪ Christian Dior dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Apricot floral printed silk chiffon ▪ Velvet trim ▪ Lace bust ▪ Draped skirt ▪ Spaghetti straps ▪ Fabric buttons at the side ...
    Category

    Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • Alexander McQueen striped cotton and lace dress with pleated skirt, ss 2005
    By Alexander McQueen
    Located in London, GB
    ▪ Alexander McQueen dress ▪ Constructed from a fine cotton-silk fabric in two colour-ways of red, cream and blue stripes ▪ Ivory lace inserts and trim ▪ Low-waisted skirt made up of...
    Category

    Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • Prada by Miuccia Prada brown silk chiffon slip dress, fw 1996
    By Prada, Miuccia Prada
    Located in London, GB
    ▪ Rare Prada evening slip dress ▪ Designed by Miuccia Prada ▪ Fine silk chiffon with geometric print in brown and cream ▪ Sold with a matching Prada nude silk slip dress to wear u...
    Category

    1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • Christian Dior by John Galliano equestrian printed silk scarf dress, ss 2000
    By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
    Located in London, GB
    ▪ Important Christian Dior evening dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Equestrian printed silk twill in pink and yellow with an ivory base ▪ Tan leather strap at the neck ▪ Open bac...
    Category

    Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

  • 1960s Maggy Rouff Pink Silk Dress
    By Maggy Rouff
    Located in Paris, FR
    Maggy Rouff pink silk dress featuring a white ribbon detail, a center back zip opening, a silk lining. Label: Maggy Rouff - 14 Avenue Montaigne Paris...
    Category

    1960s French Cocktail Dresses

Recently Viewed

View All