Norell

The work of Norman Norell represents the finest in American fashion. Known for his expensive ready-to-wear, Norell worked in the tradition of the French couture, using the very best fabrics and construction techniques. Norell has been compared to Balenciaga, "The Master Tailor," for his use of fine tailoring and the superb cut of his clothes. His inspiration came from many sources: from Chanel, the 1920s chemise, menswear, and traditional sportswear - the cardigan jacket, the turtleneck and trousers. Norell was famous for his shirtwaist jersey dresses, big Pussycat bows, Peter Pan collars, pea coats, trench coats, the middy blouse, empire-line dresses, superb black wool crepe dresses, and "mermaid" evening dresses. From 1928 to 1940, Norell worked for Hattie Carnegie. Accompanying her to Paris twice a year, he learned about quality and, above all, taste. In 1941, Norell was offered a job with Anthony Traina, a New York wholesale manufacturer. Traina offered Norell his choice of two deals, one with a high salary, but no name recognition, and the other with a lower salary, but with his name appearing on the label. Believing in the importance of the American deisgner label, Norell took the lower salary and Traina-Norell began. In 1960, Norell took over the firm and his name alone appeared on the label. Norell was hailed as the "Dean of American Fashion Designers." He helped make New York's Seventh Avenue the rival of Paris after the World War Two.