SOMA Magazine — May 2012
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Norma Kamali
Norma Kamali has been innovating American fashion for more than four decades, and she continues to thrive by challenging the status quo. Her first boutique opened in 1968, importing leading European fashions and merchandising them alongside vintage finds. By the early 1970s, she debuted her own Norma Kamali label, relaunched as (On My Own) Norma Kamali in 1978. Unbound by traditional expectations, her innumerable achievements include inventing the sleeping bag coat, the parachute apparel line, Farrah Fawcett’s infamous Charlie’s Angels bathing suit, high-heeled sneakers, and multiple Coty and CFDA awards. Kamali was also among the first to merge technology with her business practices, pioneering the use of e-commerce, QR Codes, iPhone and iPad apps, and presenting a 3-D fashion show. Embracing a broader sense of health and beauty, the Norma Kamali boutique on 56th St. in Manhattan features an NK Wellness Café for beauty products, olive oils, and organic foods. Her most recent collection of slow fashion, Kamali Kulture, offers classic styles, all under $100. Normakamalicollection.com
What do you mean that fashion is superficial? I always felt fashion was not a requirement and as my career, I felt unsure about its value.I have learned through the years that fashion has an impact and can literally change the way you feel and perform. Clothing that enhances our self image is empowering.
How has your design aesthetic evolved over your career? It changes all the time. I think constantly about what is relevant in this time and space and I try to balance design as innovation and art that can be worn to affordable timeless designs, all under 100 dollars.
Which past and present designers most inspire you? The designers for Hollywood movies of the ’30s and ’40s.
How does New York shape your design perspective? It’s the microcosm of the world, perfect for inspiration from all walks of life.
What would your employees say about you as a boss? They come away with an experience that is never boring, always challenging their skills, and they hate Mondays because I come in with 20 more new ideas.
As a CFDA board member, which initiatives do you see as priority for American design? To tell the story of our unique ability to translate fashion into real style opportunities.
What is your advice for aspiring designers? There are so many choices… Why your designs? Then, define what makes you unique and not like anyone else. If you can answer that honestly, stick to it!
As a noted dog enthusiast, how do choose a good dog name? I love dachshunds.
They have very dynamic personalities and their behavior tells you what name they should be. I love ‘Z’ names, and Zeke, Zaylie, and Ziggy are three of my favorite [dachshund] names.
Write your own question (and answer it).What would you like to do to change the world? Help women become empowered more often in a day and start to reduce and eliminate objectification.
If Norma Kamali from 1969 could see you today, what would she think? Not surprised.
What is the difference between fashion and style? You can’t buy style.
(1)An instinctive leader, goes his or her own way and expects that others will follow or fall behind. Doesn’t stop to see if anyone is behind them!
(2)Cares deeply about family and friends, but may have a difficult time showing it in a way that other people can recognize. Some of their drive comes from wanting to make a secure situation for those they love.
(3)Borrows strongly from traditions, both familial and cultural, in their creative expression, but definitely takes those traditions 2 in their own, unique direction.
(4)Highly original in approach, this is someone who sets the trends rather than watching others to see what’s up and coming.
(5)Spends a great deal of time in his or her own mind, coming up with ideas. Can be quirky, eccentric and even rebellious in thought.
(6)Has a strong, practical streak.Despite the tendency to intellectualize everything, believes in getting the necessary tasks of life and work accomplished on time and in order.
(7)Has known from fairly early on in life that they had a “destiny”—something that they were driven to accomplish.This may not necessarily be the thing they first became famous for, but it is what drives them.
(8)This person has a good constitution and a potential for a very long, productive life if they stay out of the rain, eat healthy foods and don’t neglect their body too often. However, their drive for success can cause them to de-prioritize physical health.
(9)Independent in action—this person functions best when they are working on a project that is their own from its inception.
(10)Very stubborn when something really matters, though they might not even realize that what they see as absolutely necessary is their own refusal to budge.
What do you mean that fashion is superficial? I always felt fashion was not a requirement and as my career, I felt unsure about its value.I have learned through the years that fashion has an impact and can literally change the way you feel and perform. Clothing that enhances our self image is empowering.
How has your design aesthetic evolved over your career? It changes all the time. I think constantly about what is relevant in this time and space and I try to balance design as innovation and art that can be worn to affordable timeless designs, all under 100 dollars.
Which past and present designers most inspire you? The designers for Hollywood movies of the ’30s and ’40s.
How does New York shape your design perspective? It’s the microcosm of the world, perfect for inspiration from all walks of life.
What would your employees say about you as a boss? They come away with an experience that is never boring, always challenging their skills, and they hate Mondays because I come in with 20 more new ideas.
As a CFDA board member, which initiatives do you see as priority for American design? To tell the story of our unique ability to translate fashion into real style opportunities.
What is your advice for aspiring designers? There are so many choices… Why your designs? Then, define what makes you unique and not like anyone else. If you can answer that honestly, stick to it!
As a noted dog enthusiast, how do choose a good dog name? I love dachshunds.
They have very dynamic personalities and their behavior tells you what name they should be. I love ‘Z’ names, and Zeke, Zaylie, and Ziggy are three of my favorite [dachshund] names.
Write your own question (and answer it).What would you like to do to change the world? Help women become empowered more often in a day and start to reduce and eliminate objectification.
If Norma Kamali from 1969 could see you today, what would she think? Not surprised.
What is the difference between fashion and style? You can’t buy style.
(1)An instinctive leader, goes his or her own way and expects that others will follow or fall behind. Doesn’t stop to see if anyone is behind them!
(2)Cares deeply about family and friends, but may have a difficult time showing it in a way that other people can recognize. Some of their drive comes from wanting to make a secure situation for those they love.
(3)Borrows strongly from traditions, both familial and cultural, in their creative expression, but definitely takes those traditions 2 in their own, unique direction.
(4)Highly original in approach, this is someone who sets the trends rather than watching others to see what’s up and coming.
(5)Spends a great deal of time in his or her own mind, coming up with ideas. Can be quirky, eccentric and even rebellious in thought.
(6)Has a strong, practical streak.Despite the tendency to intellectualize everything, believes in getting the necessary tasks of life and work accomplished on time and in order.
(7)Has known from fairly early on in life that they had a “destiny”—something that they were driven to accomplish.This may not necessarily be the thing they first became famous for, but it is what drives them.
(8)This person has a good constitution and a potential for a very long, productive life if they stay out of the rain, eat healthy foods and don’t neglect their body too often. However, their drive for success can cause them to de-prioritize physical health.
(9)Independent in action—this person functions best when they are working on a project that is their own from its inception.
(10)Very stubborn when something really matters, though they might not even realize that what they see as absolutely necessary is their own refusal to budge.
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