1956 Traina-Norell Couture Black Silk Belted Flounce Cocktail Dress

An incredibly chic and totally timeless Traina-Norell for I. Magnin designer cocktail dress dating back to their 1956 couture collection. Fashioned in a luxurious mid-weight black silk faille, this rare garment exemplifies their signature blend of high-level quality with quintessential American style; elegant in its simplicity. A similar garment is archived at the MET Costume Institute, and as shown we even found a resembling dress in Vogue magazine from the same year. The figure flattering belted sash silhouette accentuates the bust, nips in the waist and skims the hip with a gorgeous flounced hemline. Skirting has a cotton organdy and horsehair petticoat for support. As pointed out in the book "Couture: The Great Designers", Norman Norell had a profound influence on the ready-to-wear industry and on younger American designers by insisting that off-the-rack clothing be as fine as made-to-order. The masterful construction and superb quality of this garment more than meets his exacting