 Norell believed that his greatest contribution to fashion was the inclusion of simple, no-neckline dresses.In 1941 Norell became the first recipient of what became known as the Coty Award, the industry critics' top honor for fashion design.In 1956 Norell was the first designer inducted into the fashion industry critics' Hall of Fame and in 1962 the Pratt Institute awarded Norell an honorary fine arts degree.