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' .
Was a designer for Hattie Carnegie. Under whose name he would design Gertrude Lawrences "modern clothes" for the original production of "LADY IN THE DARK". He would later start his own design firm with partner Anthony Traina, calling the firm Traina-Norell. The clothes produced under this association would be considered to finest in American taste and quality during the 1940s and 1950s.
Mr Norells dresses appear in "The Solid Gold Cadillac" and he receives credit.
