Norman Norell 1960's Vintage Silk Pink Driving Cap
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: 20531stDibs: LU259732642
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: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Suzanne Couture Millinery Tan Straw Hat with Ivory Ribbon Trim & BowBy Suzanne Couture MillineryLocated in West Palm Beach, FLSuzanne Couture Millinery Tan Straw Hat with Ivory Ribbon Trim & Bow. This hat is in excellent condition with some sections of straw poking out on the inside. The hat features a slig...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Hats
- YSL Champagne Colored Satin Strappy Thick Straw Wedges - 41By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Palm Beach, FLYSL Champagne Colored Satin Strapped Thick Straw Wedge - 41. These thick, straw, wedges have metallic champagne colored satin straps interweaving on the top of the shoes. They are in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes
- Fendi Earth Tones Suede Cutout Multi Tone Open Toe Slingback Platform Heel - 41By FendiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLFendi Earth Tones Suede Cutout Multi Tone Open Toe Slingback Platform Heel - 41. These beautiful shoes are in good condition with noticeable ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Jimmy Choo Rose Gold Sparkly Slingback Heel 40.5By Jimmy ChooLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJimmy Choo Rose Gold Sparkly Slingback Heel 40.5. These beautifully elegant shoes are in good condition with only some noticeable wear on the sole and on the top of the heel. They...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- YSL Tan Leather Strappy Platform Heel w/ Slingback Strap - 41By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Palm Beach, FLYSL Tan Leather Strappy Platform Heel w/ Slingback Strap - 41. These beautiful sandal heels are in good condition with some noticeable wear to the bottom. Th...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes
- Casadei Tan Suede Open-Toe Platform Slingback Heels w/ Swarovski Crystals - 11By CasadeiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLCasadei Tan Suede Open-Toe Platform Slingback Heels w/ Swarovski Crystals - 11. These unique shoes are never worn and all the crystals on the...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- 1950s Ballet Large Shooting Star Rhinestone & Pearl Brooch and Earring SetLocated in Gresham, ORA striking and unusual 1950s Ballet Brand brooch and earring set: Brooch is quite large and designed in the iconic 50s "Atomic" style with clear and gunmetal color rhinestones as wel...Category
1950s American Hats
- Antique Art Deco Chinese Jeweled Hair PickLocated in New York, NYAntique Chinese Jeweled Tremblant Hair Pick from the Art Deco period. Made with faux pearls and molded glass to replicate gems like jade and tourmalines. 4.5...Category
1920s Chinese Hats
- Motsch Brown Shiny Felt HatBy MOTSCHLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRMotsch - Shiny Felt Hat Additional information: Dimensions: Circumference: 54 cm (21.25") Condition: Good condition. Trace of foundation inside. Seller Ref number: CHP120Category
1990s Hats
- Motsch Brown Hat Trimmed with Black FabricBy MOTSCHLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRMotsch - Shiny felt hat trimmed with black fabric. Additional information: Dimensions: Circumference: 54 cm (21.25") Condition: Good condition. Trace of foundation inside. Seller R...Category
1990s Hats
- 1940s Fuchsia Baby Ostrich Feather Back Ring Tilt Hat w Added Veil IncludedLocated in Gresham, OR1940s Fuchsia Baby Ostrich Feather Ring-Back Tilt Hat w Added Veil Included: Veil is separate and can be tied on or affixed to hat if so desired. Stunning and an unusual texture to t...Category
1940s American Hats
- HERMES Sienne chestnut brown grained leather Bucket Hat 57By HermèsLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Hermès Bucket Hat in Sienne chestnut brown grained leather. Has been worn and shows some wear on the lining. Overall in very good cond...Category
2010s French Berets