NORMA KAMALI
One of the most well known and most revered female designers of her time, Norma Kamali has always been known for her cool, casual and sporty looks that represent American sportswear.
ABOUT NORMA KAMALI
In 1969, just a few years after graduating from FIT in New York City, young fashion designer,
Norma Kamali opened a boutique with her then husband.
In her early career, she gained major fame with some of the most iconic pieces in American Sportswear fashion. The chic red Maillot, worn by Farrah Fawcett in the iconic poster of 1976 and the oversized "Sleeping bag" coat were notable pieces that withstood the test of time.
Her clothes were known to be functional, comfortable and modern with designs that have hugely influenced modern ‘athleisure’ and streetwear.
After splitting from her husband and business partner in the mid 1970s, Kamali continued on her own accord with the OMO Norma Kamali brand and retail store. (OMO appropriately stood for On My Own).
The Seventies also marked her use of the Parachute style which was seen in the movie ‘The Wiz’ in 1978 with variations of the concept shown in her collections throughout the years.
Over the last several decades, the designer, and wellness enthusiast has been a strong female role model for the entire fashion community in the USA and abroad. She owns her own company without partners or backers which has given her the complete opportunity to explore.
Her approach to design creates comfort in pieces that are incredibly flattering and easy to wear. Knits, swimwear and sweatshirt fabrics have been in her repertoire since the beginning. And in the early 2000s she had a collaboration with the athletic brand Everlast.
In 1981, Kamali was the recipient of the Coty Award and was given the CFDA ‘Geoffrey Beene’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
