Norman Norell(1900-1972)
- Costume Designer
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Norman David Levinson, born in Noblesville, Indiana, changed his name
to Norman Norell after moving to New York to study fashion illustration
at the Parsons School of Design. He worked briefly as a costume
designer for the Astoria Studio of Paramount Pictures when he was 22.
In 1924 he joined Charles Armour where he designed an upscale line of
dresses and then left to work for Hattie Carnegie. Norell gained
invaluable experience in his twelve years with Carnegie, with whom he
worked closely. And while with her, he designed Gertrude Lawrence's "modern
clothes" for the first run of "Lady in the Dark". He then decided to
work for Anthony Traina and the first Traina-Norell collection was
launched in 1941. As a result of the war, more attention was turned to
American producers and Norell was to benefit greatly from the exposure.
In 1943 he was the first to receive the prestigious Coty Award. By
1960, Norell's name alone appeared on the label. Norell was well known
for his classy simple wool dresses with a high round neckline, the
sequined cocktail dress, and various playful sailor motifs. He remained
on the main stage of American fashion until his death and his clothes
continue to be both collected and worn to this day. His designs can be
seen in the films That Touch of Mink (1962) starring Doris Day, and in The Wheeler Dealers (1963) starring
Lee Remick.