NORELL BLUE SEQUINED TOP AND CHIFFON SKIRT
About the Item
A casual style predominates, from the shirt-style top to the pleated skirt. Bright blue sequins with a hint of iridescence are distributed solidly over the chiffon ground of the top, which has a spread collar and cap sleeves; it fastens with two snaps in front. A knife-pleated, matching chiffon skirt with side zipper moves gracefully underneath. The ensemble would also look great worn with the jacket open and a camisole underneath.
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Bust: 33 in (83.82 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk chiffon, sequins
- Condition:Very good: some wear to sequins at underarm, waistband needs adjustment.
- Seller Location:Alford, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120305209227
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: Alford, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Victor Costa Sequin and Plaid Taffeta GownBy Victor CostaLocated in Alford, MAc.1970 Victor Costa for Romantica long dress combining a black sequin bodice juxtaposed with a large-scale taffeta plaid for the full ankle-length skirt and short puffed sleeves, a n...Category
1970s American Evening Gowns
- J. Mendel Charcoal Evening Dress with FoxBy J MendelLocated in Alford, MAUnique cocktail dress by J. Mendel intricately constructed of charcoal wool and black faille and featuring a silver fox border which peeks out of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses
- Fuchsia/Navy Silk Chiffon Print DressBy House of ArtsLocated in Alford, MAFlowing chiffon floral gown in fuchsia and navy print featuring a deep V neckline front and back, a high waistline, and sheer, raglan balloon sleeves. The skirt falls from soft pleat...Category
1970s Indian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Victor Costa Strapless DressBy Victor CostaLocated in Alford, MAOne of Victor Costa's best designs, this strapless cocktail/evening dress is fashioned of white satin and black velvet alternating horizontal stripes with fitted bodice leading to an...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Ivory Lace 1930s Wedding EnsembleLocated in Alford, MAA rare find, this wedding dress and jacket from the 1930s is made of ivory lace and is in excellent condition. The bias-cut dress has a V-neck and empire bo...Category
1930s American Wedding Dresses
- Judy Hornby White-on-White Bias GownBy Judy HornbyLocated in Alford, MAJudy Hornby Couture voided silk bias-cut evening dress with deep cowl neck neck and layered hem, both layers trimmed with pearls. Long sleeves with gathered shoulders and pointed wri...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Rose Taft Vintage Purple & Teal Silk Blend Strapless Gown w/ Floral Design - 10By ROSE TAFTLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRose Taft Vintage Purple & Teal Silk Blend Strapless Gown w/ Floral Design - 10. This lovely vintage gown is in excellent condition. It features a purple and teal silk blend materi...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1980s Casadei Blue Sequined Maxi DressBy CasadeiLocated in London, GB1980s blue sequinned maxi gown by Casadei, a heritage Italian shoe brand that also briefly forayed into luxury fashion during the 80s and 90s. These colle...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- 1990s Thierry Mugler Indigo and Black Velvet DressBy Thierry Mugler CoutureLocated in London, GBThis incredible 1990s Mugler dress creates the most flattering and feminine silhouette for the wearer. Made from thick black velvet with indigo blue, almost purple fabric panelling, ...Category
1990s French Sheath Dresses
- 1960s Tony Armstrong Raw Silk Turquoise DressLocated in London, GBThis 1960s Tony Armstrong evening dress is cut in a classic and flattering column silhouette with a high rounded neckline and short, slightly capped sleeves. The front is very lightly embroidered with fine blue thread in a criss-cross pattern. This continues round to the back of the dress, where a concealed original metal zipper ensures a smooth and seamless fit. A pair of right and left darts to the front and back emphasises the waist. The fabric is a very fine quality peacock blue raw silk with a satin sheen to it whilst it is fully lined in a lilac coloured acetate. A best fit for around a UK 8-10 or US 4-6. Superb vintage condition and looks barely worn, we noted only a small area of discoloration to the lining near both the sleeve underarms but this is totally unseen when worn. Tony Armstrong was a British couture...Category
1960s British Evening Dresses
- Vintage Teal Blue Silk Sequin + Beaded Art Deco/ Flapper DressLocated in Sparks, NVVintage 1920s-inspired 1980s teal blue silk dress with hand done sequin and beadwork. Full blouson sleeves that zip at the cuff. Side slits. Fully lined in silk. The marked size is a...Category
1980s Indian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Karl Lagerfeld 1980s Size 44 / US 10 Navy Blue Silk Chiffon Vintage 80s DressBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful late 80s KARL LAGERFELD navy + ivory silk chiffon sleeveless dress. Features a navy body with semi sheer ivory above the bust. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye c...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses