Norman Norell 1960s Size 12 Tan / Camel 60s Vintage Blazer Jacket + Skirt Suit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 12 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6621260453
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Russian Collection 1976 Jacket and Skirt Suit YSL 70sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CAIconic vintage 1970s YSL YVES SAINT LAURENT Paris 'Rive Gauche' virgin wool jacket and skirt suit from the famed 1976 Russian Collection! Jacket features a windowpane gingham checker...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- 1960s I Magnin Couture Mohair Tobacco Rust Brown Vintage 60s Skirt + Blazer SuitBy I. Magnin, I Magnin and CoLocated in San Diego, CAIncredibly chic vintage early 1960s I. MAGNIN tobacco rust brown mohair skirt suit! Features a soft wool mohair that is fully lined in a nude silk chiffon. Double breasted fitted bla...Category
1960s American Skirt Suits
- Avant Garde 1990s Krizia Metallic Asymmetrical Vintage 90s Silk Skirt SuitBy KriziaLocated in San Diego, CAAvant Garde early 90s KRIZIA asymmetrical silk skirt suit ! Features warm hues of hunter green, brown, tan and ivory throughout. Asymmetrical hem on the jacket and each collar. Singl...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Vintage Vicky Tiel Couture Leopard Cheetah Print Wool Velvet 1980s Skirt SuitBy Vicky TielLocated in San Diego, CAStylish vintage 80s VICKY TIEL COUTURE leopard print / cheetah wool and velvet tailored skirt suit! Terracotta colored soft virgin wool, with black silk velvet leopard print througho...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Vintage Alberta Ferretti Size 6 1990s Does 1960s Black Wool 90s Skirt SuitBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in San Diego, CAClassic and chic 90s does 60s ALBERTA FERRETTI black virgin wool skirt suit! Jacket features a pillbox / swing silhouette. Pleated details around the collar, with round black lacquer...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Thierry Mugler 1980s Khaki Safari Two Piece Vintage Bodycon 80s Skirt SuitBy Thierry MuglerLocated in San Diego, CAIconic 1980s THIERRY MUGLER khaki / tan cotton safari power suit! Features a for fitting bodice that zips up the front middle. Pockets at both breasts and waist. Stron shoulders feat...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld brown wool and gold silk lurex 3-piece suit, fw 1996By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel 3-piece pantsuit ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Evening coat in brown and cream wool ▪ Gold silk lurex collar and turn-up cuffs ▪ Gold and glass stone buttons...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- S/S 2003 Christian Dior by John Galliano Suede Lace Up Jacket Pants Suit SetBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a luxurious suede jacket and pant set designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior's Spring/Summer 2003 collection. Seldom found as a se...Category
Early 2000s French Trouser Pant Suits
- F/W 1994 Gianni Versace Gold Ribbed Lurex Medusa Skirt Cropped Jacket SetBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a golden ribbed lurex Gianni Versace Couture skirt set, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1994 collection, this two-piece set consists of a high-waisted skirt and matching jacket. The cropped jacket features a collar, two breast pockets, and gold Versace Medusa buttons at the pockets, cuffs, and button-up closure. This stunning set is beautiful when worn together or separate and is the perfect vintage Gianni Versace set...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- S/S 2002 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Safari Cheetah Print Lace-Up Khaki SuitBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous tan and cheetah print Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche skirt suit, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2002 safari-inspired collection, this beautiful se...Category
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits
- NEW Chanel Multicolor Fringed Fantasy Lesange Sequin Tweed Skirt SuitBy ChanelLocated in Switzerland, CHBeautiful CHANEL fantasy tweed jacket with matching skirt CHANEL at it's best - this suit is almost like Couture! A CHANEL signature item that will last you for many years Both piec...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirt Suits
- NEW Chanel Multicolor Fringed Fantasy Lesange Sequin Tweed Skirt SuitBy ChanelLocated in Switzerland, CHBeautiful CHANEL fantasy tweed jacket with matching skirt CHANEL at it's best - this suit is almost like Couture! A CHANEL signature item that will last you for many years Both piec...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirt Suits