Help Finding Info on Joanna Norman Dress

[stingystylist]

I just found this cute dress today, and couldn't wait till tomorrow to take proper pics (hence the poor nighttime lighting quality...), and after searching info online for hours I still can't find anything about this dress maker!
There are no other tags than the ones pictured. No size or material info.
It feels like chiffon and obviously lace. Top is very thin/sheer chiffon or maybe silk?
it looks like the dress has been taken in by the previous owner, as you can see from the pictures from inside the dress.I can't imagine any other reason for this "fold" in the armpit area.
Zipper pull is little scratched and says OPTI.
Any input as far as dating this pretty LBD and especially the maker I would appreciate!

 

[Pinkcoke]

Hi, your dress is from the 1960's and reminds me very much of the early Jean Varon babydoll dresses. I agree it's been taken in under the arms - this style was a loose tent so it probably gaped a bit if the wearer was on the small side.
13 Walton street, London is a very nice little corner shop (see google street view) so the owner had some standing to get a good corner property like that.
Assuming the label name is a real person, and that she continued in the arts as a career, there is a member of the research department at the Victoria and Albert Museum who has written and co-written some books published by the V&A. She doesn't work in fashion exclusively, but on historic styles that cover many areas including fashion, such as Baroque. I have no idea if they are the same person, but it's just a possibility to enquire about.

In any case if no one has any further information here the V&A would be a good place to ask for more information on a British label.

 

[lkranieri]

-- I found the Joanna Norman reference below in volume 137 of Country Life, but when I click on that link, you can't see any of the text. If you can find a copy of that you will have more information

-- I also found a 2009 reference to London "fragrance expert" Joanna Norman, but I obviously have no idea if that is the same person.

 

[stingystylist]

Thank you! I think this book seems like a promising lead!!!
I also found several references to Joanna Norman the fragrance expert, got very excited for a second when reading quickly on the screen saw her name and Chanel pop up at the same search
But I doubt she has anything to do with the dress!