Why Norma Kamali is one of fashion’s most enduring names
Thanks to her prescient designs and singular aesthetic, NORMA KAMALI has been moving the needle within fashion, and beyond, for over 50 years
Not many designers can lay claim to have dressed Beyoncé, Rihanna and ’70s style icon Farah Fawcett – as well as receiving a Lifetime Achievement award and predicting one of the decade’s most defining trends some 50 years before it came to fruition. But then again, Norma Kamali isn’t most designers.
Despite studying illustration – as opposed to design – at New York’s illustrious Fashion Institute of Technology, creating clothes was nothing short of a vocation for Kamali. In 1967, just a few years after graduating and a brief spell working in airline reservations, she launched her own label and Midtown boutique. The store soon became a meeting point for the city’s most exciting young creatives – rock band New York Dolls, Bette Midler and fellow designer Vera Wang were among the great and good who frequented Kamali’s store during those early years.
Ultimately, though, the real hype was around Kamali’s decidedly modern designs. In an unprecedented move at the time, Kamali put comfort and practicality at the heart of her work – without compromising on style. The result? A distinctive stretch aesthetic that has undoubtedly informed the more recent athleisure look, which has featured so prominently in many a collection over the seasons. A look that has become more relevant than ever, during a year in which the pandemic saw many women forgo fussy fashion in favor of versatile pieces that are both elegant and effortless.
Take Kamali’s latest collection. As ever, the designer has eschewed faddish trends in favor of seasonless staples that promise to slot seamlessly into any woman’s wardrobe. Understated yet elevated, Kamali’s languid jumpsuits work just as well for off-duty days strolling in the park – styled with luxe slides and an oversized tote – as they do for date-night dinners – finished with barely-there sandals and a delicate dusting of diamonds. Elsewhere, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Kamali’s stretch leggings are strictly reserved for weekends; but, thanks to their flawless fit and subtle design details, they can be a viable nine-to-five option, too. Styled with an oversized shirt or long-line blazer, they create an enviable return-to-work look.
Of course, it would be remiss to discuss Kamali’s influence without touching on her latest venture, NORMAKAMALIFE – the beauty line she launched in 2019. This was the natural next step for a woman who was practicing wellness years before the term was even coined. Renowned for her youthful looks and spirit, Kamali is her own best advertisement. For those who have already incorporated Kamali’s cult products into their daily skincare routine and want to know more about her lifelong wellness journey, the latest addition to Kamali’s offering could be the answer. Not content with conquering the world of fashion and beauty, Kamali has released a book, I Am Invincible. Part memoir, part manifesto, it details Kamali’s wellness journey and reveals her secrets for living a successful and fulfilled life. Sold? Us too.