You know………I couldn’t offer you anything in sequins….without offering you ……..BLACK SEQUINS!!!!! I am a sucker for sequins. My very first sight of a TRUE DESIGNER DRESS, when I was seventeen, was when I went to work for Norman Norell as an intern for a summer job before I started Parsons School of Design. I was brought to the all mirrored [ceiling and walls with a black and white diamond patterned marble floor], waiting room. There was a huge bouquet of Mr. Norell’s favorite flower…the Calla Lily. They were in a huge Lalique vase perched on a mirrored Parsons table…..I sat on a white satin covered bench with gold leaf legs waiting……in this ante room immersed in Norell perfume…..To this day it’s my favorite, but it isn’t made any more….another story another time, but I still have one bottle!. It was truly an assault on the senses…..something I will never forget…….. I was then brought into the showroom, on my way to the back rooms, to meet the people I would be reporting to. As I entered the showroom I was confronted with a GOLDEN RACK of five MAGNIFICENT SEQUIN DRESSES……each costing $25,000………….WOW……….that did it for me.!!…. They were made of silk jersey…..covered with INDIVIDUALLY HAND SEWN tiny sequins….no machine or chain stitched sequins here! …..Each dress was EXACTLY the same….only each one in a different color. It was astonishing!!………I remember I had to deliver a “MERMAID SEQUIN DRESS” to Lynn Revson’s town house…..her husband owned REVLON…..at the time the number one makeup company in the US, maybe the world. I was in a sweat!! She opened the door in a bathrobe! I was stammering!!!…………..anyway I digress…………..Mr. Norell showed me and taught me the RIGHT way to do sequins…..and believe me there is a right and wrong way to do SEQUINS……….you never want to look like a hoochie mama in sequins…..I think you know what I mean. Sequins can be elegant and sophisticated…..even at these affordable prices…..it’s strictly a level of taste…………………..Above, I have shown the top and skirt as the all important two piece dress……..and for a more fun edgy look…..with the white cotton “KATE SHIRT” and the my FAUX FUR PERSIAN JACKET, J229709………..If you are daring enough……you can create your own NORELL LOOK……..by wearing the new COTTON BOW BLOUSE and pile on the new JET BEADS coming in NOV……a FABULOUS party look…Mr. Norell was know for his PUSSY CAT BOWS…..If you aren’t acquainted with Normal Norell, I suggest you google him…..He was considered the BEST AMERICAN COUTURE DESIGNER in America. Yes, he did true COUTURE……hand made clothes. In the back rooms were custom forms of ever important socialite in NYC and around the country, who came to him each season to have their clothes made. I am proud to say, in my second year at Parsons, I won the Norman Norell Scholarship, that is still given to this day…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………….HAPPY HAPPY HOLIDAYS…………………….much Love………………………………Louis
Just marking time till midnight. Browsing thru all your fabulous creations for the first time. The black sequins are thriling when you zoom in, must be mine.
And all the Ruby, just breathtaking. Louis. The pussy cat bow, it’s a GTH, Got To Have. Very Diana Vreeland. Seems I vaguely remember a vintage Vogue shot of her wearing a white blouse posing with an elephant. If they ever come out with a DVD of her life’s movie, I’m getting it.
And Oh, yes, Norrell, one of my Mother’s favorite perfumes. What color were the dresses?
GOLD, Green, Fuchsia, Royal and Purple………..sounds familiar…LOL
Are the black beads shown in the shot with the white blouse the ones already available, e.g. they also come in purple.
It’s a mix of those and the new coming in Nov.
Gosh, here I am in Paris… Flying home to JFK tomorrow then driving home to Massachsetts after dropping friend off on upper West Side. I’ll barely get any sleep before the show. I’m in a positive panic that I’ll miss the items during my transit! The Ruby Sequined Skirt has to be mine!
Sheesh/Sheila
Fingers crossed you’ll get it, Sheesh. I’m shooting for the lapis sequin top.
Well, Louis, I have been telling myself I do not need either of these pieces, but now it’s “is it going to be the red top & skirt, or the black”? These are stunning, and I will FIND a place to wear them, as the opportunity to get them may never be here again!
Dear Ann….if you want them….I would suggest now is the time, because you are right….they may never be back. I have never had a sequin reorder.
Dear Louis,
I was enthralled by your Norman Norell story, and I remember Lynn Revson (not personally, of course). My mind’s eye could clearly picture everything, especially the Calla Lily and the Lalique on the mirrored Parsons table — not to mention the variegated colors of the sequin dresses on the golden rack. You must have been giddy from all the sensory sensations! Thank you for sharing this special story from your life. Absolutely love this peek into your world.
The skirt will be too short for moi, but I will likely go for the lapis sequin top. I love your extended shoulder design.
Thank you for all, Louis. It is such a pleasure to “know” you.
Dear Louis,
Love this top and your story!
Dariann
The Norell story was ALMOST better than the Sequins … but not quite LOL … LOVE this look; it’s just stunning. I do not have the shape but the idea of that big bow blouse with the sequin skirt is amazing 🙂 I’m in for the Ruby to go with my Ruby Topper, and the Black … Lapis is gorgeous too. And I will most often wear these pieces more casually, mixed with Posh Knits, wools, silks etc.
Wow is all I can say!! Just beautifully put together top with skirt!
Louis, What a lovely write-up! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love the sequins!