Among the trends reviewed by Vogue during the 1910s was the "revival" of Empire-waist dresses, previously popular at the beginning of the nineteenth century (styles of the 1810s were also historicizing, inspired by ancient Greece in both aesthetic and philosophy).
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Norman Norell was a designer who made frequent references to fashions of the past. In this case, he has created a literal reinterpretation of an early 19th century dress. Fashion writer Bernadine Morris once observed that when “playing the nostalgia game,” Norell tended "to go further than most designers."
Norman Norell
"Josephine" evening dress
Red wool crepe, satin
1962, USA
The Museum at FIT, 74.133.13
Gift of Claudia Halley
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