Norell Vintage 1960's Tweed Skirt Suit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Style:Skirt Suit (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Archival Catwalk Designer Vintage.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73433852371
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1990s Christian Lacroix 2 Pc Skirt SuitBy Christian LacroixLocated in Los Angeles, CAChristian Lacroix Purple, Black and White Print 2 Pc Skirt Suit. Measurements: (laid flat) Jacket ( Back ) Neck to bottom hem - 21 1/2 in. Side seam ; Armpit to hem - 13 1/2 in. S...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- 1970s Saint Laurent Blue & Red Striped Wool 2 Piece Skirt SetBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CA1970s Saint Laurent Blue & Red Striped Wool 2 piece Skirt Set Made in France Size Label - 34 All measurements (taken flat): Shirt: Shoulders - seam...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- Unique 1960's Blue Snakeskin Print 2 Piece SuitLocated in Los Angeles, CALabel Missing Unique 1960's Blue Snakeskin 2 Piece Suit Measurements taken flat: JACKET Shoulders - Seam to seam: 16" Sleeve - shoulder seam to wrist cuff: 22" Armpit to armpit: - ...Category
1960s Unknown Skirt Suits
- 1970s Geoffrey Beene Black & White Striped Halter Neck JumpsuitBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Los Angeles, CA1970s Geoffrey Beene Black & White Striped Halter Neck Jumpsuit Unsure of fabric content - most likely silk Measurements (taken flat): Neck (circumference): 25" Armpit to armpit:15"...Category
1970s Jumpsuits
- Gianni Versace Couture 1980's JumpsuitBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Los Angeles, CAGianni Versace Couture 1980's Black Pin Striped Jumpsuit. Light weight wool , inset button holes with shell buttons. Has a satin collar with trouser pockets. *ALL MEASUREMENTS TAKEN...Category
1980s Italian Jumpsuits
- 1980s OMO by Norma Kamali Black Wool Mini Skirt Suit with Button DetailBy Norma KamaliLocated in Los Angeles, CA1980s OMO by Norma Kamali Black Wool Mini Skirt Suit with Button Detail Made in USA Size label: 6 Measurements (taken flat): Jacket: Shoulders ...Category
1980s American Skirt Suits
- GLORIA SACHS Couture 1980s Two Piece PAISLEY FUR Suit Skirt Jacket Wool 10By Gloria SachsLocated in Asheville, NCGloria Sachs, Iconic Suit, Vintage 1980's, 100% Pure Wool (Soft), Made in USA, Union Tag, Fully Lined. Jacket - Quilted, Five Wooden/Clay Round Buttons, Shoulder Pads, Two Pockets, ...Category
1980s Skirt Suits
- Vintage PIERRE CARDIN Paris Couture 1960s Two Piece Ensemble Skirt Jacket 38By Pierre Cardin Paris, Pierre CardinLocated in Asheville, NCPierre Cardin, 100% Wool, 1960's Couture, Made in France, Asymmetrical Layered Design, Two Faceted Buttons, Pleated Skirt, Metal Zipper, Slit on Back of Skirt, Vintage 38 Measuremen...Category
1960s French Skirt Suits
- YVES SAINT LAURENT BY TOM FORD S/S 2002 Runway Sheer Silk Two-PieceBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThis leopard print two piece was the opening look for Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring Summer 2002 Rive Gauche collection by Tom Ford. This elegant two-piece consists of a high waisted silk pencil skirt and a zip up sleeveless silk top in a classic leopard print. This safari inspired set features beautiful details such as the YSL logo on the right side of the front of the bodice, and also embossed on the zipper. The bodice features a deep V neckline, multiple pockets on the front and drawstrings at the sides, the back features a transparent panel...Category
Early 2000s French Twin Sets
- Nina Ricci Boutique Suit, Paris FranceBy Nina RicciLocated in Sharon, CTNina Ricci purple wool tweed double breasted skirt suit, fabric imported from Ireland. Ruffled edging on collar and sleeve cuffs. Nina Ricci Boutique...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Nina Ricci 'Boutique' Paris Black Silk SuitBy Nina RicciLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a Nina Ricci 'Boutique' Paris, Black silk suit retailed by Bergdorf Goodman. Puffy shoulders, skirted waist jacket, black on black polka dots,...Category
1980s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Issey Miyake Black Jacket & Bolero Pants early 80'sBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Sharon, CTFringed cocoon jacket, with fringed Bolero pants Japan size 10. 26" waist, 33" lengthCategory
1980s Japanese Trouser Pant Suits