JOYEUX NORELL

photo credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP

First Lady Michelle Obama in vintage Norman Norell at "Christmas in Washington" show

It’s truly funny how things happen…

This week, I was in a few different locations knee deep in archives researching various fashion show spectaculars that Eleanor Lambert staged in the 1940s and 1950s. I kept thinking about Norman Norell - and his work kept coming up time and time again. Of course, he was from Miss Lambert’s home state of Indiana, he was the very first winner of a Coty Award and he won so many Coty Awards that they created a new category of award – The Coty Hall of Fame. In addition, Miss Lambert was his publicist and dear friend. During my research this week, I came across some incredible pictures of four Norman Norell designs that were featured in The New York Times from 1958 and I really wanted to do a post on Norell but I kept thinking that I did not want to overdo it.

Then… our First Lady Michelle Obama makes history this week at “The Christmas in Washington” concert in Washington, DC dazzling in one-of-a-kind vintage number by designer Norman Norell!!

According to the The Huffington Post, The First Lady picked up the black-lace overlay dress, which boasted a full tea-length tulle style skirt and a square neckline (something rarely seen in contemporary designs), at New York Vintage boutique, signaling what store owner Jon Schneck believes to be the first time a first lady has worn a vintage dress to a public event, reports donned the elegant 1950s piece.

Maybe Michelle Obama will wear a vintage Norell sequined mermaid gown to a state dinner... here's hoping!

AT THE WHITE HOUSE

left to right: (back row) Jo Stafford, Eleanor Lambert, Angela Lansbury, Helen Sioussat, Eddie Bracken, Paul Henreid, Zachary Scott, Alexis Smith, Cesar Romero and Lucy Monroe. left to right: (front row): Van Johnson, Ilene Woods, Diana Lynne, Margaret Truman, Margaret O'Brien, President Harry S. Truman, First Lady Bess Truman and Constance Moore.

photos courtesy of Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum & Library

Close up of Eleanor Lambert and Angela Lansbury

The caption of this photo from the President Truman archives described this photo as "Top Hollywood Stars and Truman family participate in Roosevelt Birthday Ball activities at the White House."

The Roosevelt Birthday Ball was annual fundraiser for the March of Dimes for many years. Miss Lambert created, oversaw and produced numerous events and fundraisers over the years for the March of Dimes. This photo includes the biggest stars in Hollywood of the time.