Norman David Levinson

Place: Noblesville

Born: 1900

Death: 1972

Biography:

Norman Norell was an American fashion designer born in Noblesville, Indiana in 1900. He changed his name from Norman David Levinson to Norman Norell after moving to New York to study fashion illustration at the Parsons School of Design. Norell was known for his elegant gowns, suits, and tailored silhouettes, and his designs for the Traina-Norell and Norell fashion houses became famous for their detailing, simple, timeless designs, and tailored construction. He dominated the American fashion industry by the mid-twentieth century and launched his own brand of perfume in 1968. Norell was the first recipient of the American Fashion Critics' Award, the first designer inducted into the fashion industry critics' Hall of Fame, and a recipient of an International Fashion Award from the United Kingdom's Sunday Times. He is also among the first American fashion designers to be honored with a bronze plaque along New York City’s Seventh Avenue. Norell died in New York City in 1972.