Norman Norell
Norman Norell (born Norman David Levinson April 20, 1900, Noblesville, Indiana — died October 25, 1972, New York City, New York) was an American fashion designer, known for his elegant suits and tailored silhouettes.
The son of a haberdasher, from early childhood Norell had an ambition to become an artist. After spending a short period at military school during World War I, he studied fashion design at the Pratt Institute. In 1922, he joined the New York studio of Paramount Pictures where he designed clothes for Gloria Swanson and other stars of silent movies. He then worked as a costume designer on Broadway, making the costumes for the Ziegfeld Follies and the Cotton Club, as well as for the Brooks Costume Company and for wholesale dress manufacturer Charles Armour. In 1928, he was hired by Hattie Carnegie and remained with her until 1941.[citation needed]
In 1943 Norell won a Coty Fashion Award and became a critic at Pratt Institute fashion department, where he was previously a student. Shortly afterwards Anthony Traina invited him to form the fashion company Traina-Norrell, with Traina looking after the business side and Norell the fashion side. By 1944, Norell had launched chemise dresses, evening dresses, fur coats, sequined evening sheaths, fur slacks and empire-line dresses.[citation needed]
First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama wore a vintage Norell dress at a Washington Christmas party in December, 2010.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ "A secondhand first?". The Washington Post. 20 December 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/19/AR2010121903662.html. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
