 Norell's wool jersey dresses became staples of the Traina-Norell label, as did his sailor-suit-inspired dresses and spangle-covered "mermaid" gowns (a skin-tight, floor-length evening gown).In 1943, Norell became the first recipient of the American Fashion Critics' Award, later known as the Coty Fashion Award.That same year he accepted a teaching position in the fashion design department at New York's Parsons School of Design.