| 1964: |
NORMA KAMALI GRADUATES FROM THE FASHION INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY IN NEW YORK WITH A BFA DEGREE IN FASHION ILLUSTRATION.
|
| 1968: |
OPENING OF KAMALI SHOP AT 229 EAST 53RD STREET
IN NEW YORK. FIRST DESIGNS FEATURE ELABORATE APPLIQUES, LIZARD AND LEATHER
PATCHES, SNAKESKINS AND TEE SHIRTS WITH RHINESTONE STUDS.
|
| 1969/70: |
MAGAZINE EDITORIALS, OF NORMA KAMALI ORIGINAL
DESIGNS, HELP DEVELOP CONSUMER AWARENESS AND DEMAND FOR HER CREATIONS.
|
| 1974: |
KAMALI SHOP MOVES TO MADISON AVENUE. PARACHUTE
CLOTHING DESIGNED FROM REAL SILK PARACHUTES
|
| 1975: |
FIRST SLEEPING BAG COAT DESIGNED.
|
| 1977: |
COSMOPOLITAN SWIMSUIT COVER BY FRANCESCO SCAVULLO
ON CHRISTIE BRINKLEY FEATURES THE "PULL BIKINI" CREATING AN INTERNATIONAL
DEMAND AND LAUNCHES NORMA KAMALI IN THE SWIMWEAR BUSINESS.
|
| 1978: |
(ON MY OWN) NORMA KAMALI OPENS AT 6 WEST 56TH
STREET. |
| |
ORIGINAL COSTUMES DESIGNED FOR THE EMERALD CITY
IN SYDNEY LUMET'S FILM "THE WIZ." |
| |
DIANA VREELAND INCLUDES NORMA KAMALI PARACHUTE
DESIGNS IN THE VANITY FAIR EXHIBIT AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART AND
IS IN THE MUSEUM'S PERMANENT COLLECTION.
|
| 1980:
| DESIGNS A FASHION AT A PRICE COLLECTION FEATURING
THE SWEATSHIRT COLLECTION AND SIGNS A LICENSING AGREEMENT TO MANUFACTURE
THE LINE.
|
| 1981: |
NORMA KAMALI RECEIVES COTY
AWARD FOR DESIGN INNOVATION.
|
| 1982: |
NORMA KAMALI RECEIVES COTY
AWARD FOR WOMEN'S FASHION DESIGN. |
| |
SIGNS LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH RENOWN TO BEGIN
DISTRIBUTION OF NORMA KAMALI DESIGNS IN JAPAN AND THE ORIENT.
|
| 1983: |
COTY HALL OF FAME AWARD. |
| |
CFDA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING
WOMEN'S FASHIONS FOR 1982. |
| |
ERNIE AWARDS (EARNSHAW REVIEW)
FOR OUTSTANDING CHILDREN'S SPORTSWEAR DESIGN. |
| |
BEST FIVE TOKYO FASHION SHOW FROM WORLD CAPITALS
AT THE INVITATION OF FAIRCHILD PUBLICATIONS. |
| |
OMO NORMA KAMALI OPENS
AT 11 WEST 56ST STREET AS WORLD HEADQUARTERS FOR RETAIL STORE, DESIGN
STUDIO, SHOWROOM AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES .
|
| |
| 1984: |
"FALL FANTASY" VIDEO DIRECTED
AND PRODUCED BY NORMA KAMALI PIONEERS AN IMPORTANT TREND IN FASHION MERCHANDISING.
FIDM AWARD FROM FASHION INSTITUTE
OF DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING IN LOS ANGELES.
|
| 1985: |
CFDA AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE USE
OF VIDEO IN PRESENTATION AND PROMOTION OF FASHION. |
| |
NORMA KAMALI DIRECTS "FASHION
AID" VIDEO FOR NEW YORK HONORARY COMMITTEE DESIGNER IN A BENEFIT
FOR LIVE AID FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER BY FASHION INDUSTRY. |
| |
RECEIVES 6TH ANNUAL INTERIORS
AWARD FOR BEST RETAIL DESIGN FROM INTERIORS MAGAZINE. |
| |
LAUNCH OF THE NORMA KAMALI FRAGRANCE COLLECTION IN EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION.
THE FRAGRANCE IS CREATED IN TWO PARTS: PERFUME AND INCENSE, FORMULATED
FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. THE FRAGRANCES CAN BE APPLIED SEPARATELY OR LAYERED
TOGETHER.
|
| 1986: |
NEW YORK FASHION GROUP HONOREE
IN A SALUTE TO WOMEN WHO HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY. |
| |
RECIPIENT OF THREE BEST CATEGORY AWARDS AT FIRST
ANNUAL VIDEO AWARDS AND A SPECIAL COMMUNITY SERVICE
AWARD FOR THE FASHION AID VIDEO. |
| |
INTRODUCED VIDEO CATALOG.
DESIGNS COSTUMES FOR TWYLA THARP DANCE "IN THE UPPER ROOM".
RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED ARCHITECTURE AWARD FOR
NEW YORK CHAPTER AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS FOR THE NORMA KAMALI
BUILDING AT 11 WEST 56TH STREET IN NYC.
|
| 1987: |
NORMA KAMALI SIGNS AGREEMENT IN ITALY TO BEGIN
EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION OF HER DESIGNS. |
| |
UNIQUE LICENSING BETWEEN A DESIGNER AND DEPARTMENT
STORE. BLOOMINGDALE'S AND NORMA KAMALI LAUNCH AN EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION
AS PART OF A LICENSING AGREEMENT. AN INNOVATION IN RETAILING, THE STORE
IS THE MANUFACTURER OF KAMALI'S EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF DESIGNER
CLOTHING. |
| |
THE VIDEO " SWEET DREAMS,"
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY NORMA KAMALI, WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE
BLOOMINGDALE'S COLLECTION LAUNCH.
|
| 1988: |
NORMA KAMALI HONORED BY THE PUBLIC EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK AS OUTSTANDING GRADUATE. NORMA KAMALI IS A NATIVE
NEW YORKER AND GRADUATED FROM THE WASHINGTON IRVING HIGH SCHOOL IN NYC. |
| |
GRANTED AWARD OF MERIT
IN THE VIDEO CULTURE INTERNATIONAL VIDEO COMPETITION FOR "
THE READING OF THE WILL," WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY NORMA KAMALI. |
| |
NORMA PRODUCES A PHOTOMATIC CATALOG WITH THE
USE OF STILL PHOTOS SHOT BY NORMA KAMALI OF THE SPRING 1989 COLLECTION
IN CONEY ISLAND. THE VIDEO PHOTOMATIC PROVIDES AN ALBUM OF "POSTCARDS
FROM CONEY ISLAND". |
| |
FIRST HOME COLLECTION OPENS INCLUDING FURNITURE,
FABRICS AND HOME FRAGRANCE. OMO HOME KAMALI'S LAST ARCHITECTURAL VENTURE
OF CREATING THE FACADE AND INTERIOR FOR THE NORMA KAMALI BUILDING, AT
11 WEST 56TH STREET, PROVIDED THE REAL BASE FOR FURTHER DESIGN EXPLORATION
IN SHAPES AND FORMS FOR THE HOME AND IT'S FURNISHINGS.
|
| 1989: |
NORMA RECEIVES THE "AMERICAN
SUCCESS AWARD" FOR VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL EDUCATION (FASHION INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY) PRESENTED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH IN THE ROSE GARDEN AT
THE WHITE HOUSE. |
| |
FIMAT - LE FETE INTERNATIONAL THE LARGEST INTERNATIONAL
FASHION SHOW EVER PRESENTED IN TOKYO FEATURING WORLD FAMOUS DESIGNERS
FROM FIVE FASHION CAPITALS.
NORMA KAMALI PRESENTED TWENTY FIVE WEDDING GOWNS.
|
| 1992: |
FIRST EYEWEAR COLLECTION.
WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION EXPANSION OF SWIMWEAR COLLECTION. |
| |
PIN UP ADVERTISING BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN AND LAUNCH
OF NEW LABEL 1 800 8 KAMALI.
|
| 1993: |
INTRODUCTION OF OMO GYM ATHLETICWEAR COLLECTION.
THE COLLECTION IS INSPIRED AND DESIGNED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF WOMEN'S ACTIVE
LIFESTYLES IN THE 90'S.
|
| 1994: |
NORMA KAMALI LAUNCHES NORMA KAMALI BEAUTY,
CREATED WITH A REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPT IN SKIN CARE AND COSMETICS. THE CONCEPT
CONDITIONS AND ENHANCES THE SKIN TO REPLACE FOUNDATION. THE LINE IS LAUNCHED
THROUGH DIRECT MARKETING WITH NORMA KAMALI BEAUTY PARTNERS.
|
| 1995: |
NORMA KAMALI HONORED AS THE 1995 COMMENCEMENT
SPEAKER FOR THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
IN NEW YORK. |
| |
NORMA KAMALI LAUNCHES A MODERN COLLECTION OF
ESSENTIAL PIECES IN POLY JERSEY TO CREATE A YEAR ROUND WARDROBE FOR ANY
SITUATION AND ANY TIME OF DAY. |
| |
THE COLLECTION IS CONCISE AND PRACTICAL FOR
TRAVEL, NO WRINKLING AND QUICK DRYING WHEN WASHED EITHER BY HAND OR MACHINE.
AND THE NORMA KAMALI SACK BAG, MADE OF THE SAME FABRIC, CAN HOLD WEEKEND
OUTFITS OR EVEN A FULL COLLECTION OF UP TO 20 FLAT, ROLLED PIECES.
|
| 1996: |
NORMA KAMALI PRESENTS THE FALL 1996 COLLECTION
AS A WORLDWIDE VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE THROUGH A SIMULTANEOUS BROADCAST
EXHIBITION FOR THE INTERNET. |
| |
WWW.OMO-NORMA-KAMALI.COM IS CREATED, FEATURING NORMA KAMALI'S
COLLECTIONS ONLINE |
| |
NORMA KAMALI DESIGNS COSTUMES FOR TWYLA THARP'S
NEW COMPANY ,THARP!, INCLUDING THE NEW PRODUCTIONS "SWEET
FIELDS" AND "ROUTE 66."
|
| 1997: |
WASHINGTON IRVING HIGH SCHOOL INDUCTS ALUMNUS NORMA KAMALI
IN THEIR HALL OF FAME HONORING DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED
TO THE ARTS. |
| |
NORMA KAMALI ORGANIZES STUDENTS OF WASHINGTON
IRVING HIGH SCHOOL'S ART HOUSE, HER ALMA MATER, TO FORM A BUSINESS IN
ORDER TO LEARN WHILE STILL IN SCHOOL THE IMPORTANCE OF ART AND COMMERCE
AS A LIVELIHOOD WASHINGTON IRVING HIGH SCHOOL ENTERPRISES IS A BUSINESS
FORMED BY THE STUDENTS OF THE ART HOUSE. |
| |
NORMA KAMALI RECEIVES THE "YOUTH
FRIENDS AWARD" FOR OUTSTANDING PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND INTEREST
IN EDUCATION, PRESENTED ANNUALLY BY THE SCHOOL ART LEAGUE TO AN ARTIST
THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO YOUNG ADULTS REALIZATION OF THEIR OWN POTENTIAL
AS PROFESSIONAL VISUAL ARTISTS.
|
| 1998: |
DIRECT MARKETING THROUGH THE INTERNET. CLIENTS
WORLDWIDE USE THE "SHOP
LIKE A CELEBRITY" SERVICE, WHICH ENABLES THEM TO RECEIVE A BOX OF
CLOTHES AT EITHER THEIR HOME OR OFFICE ON SPEC, AFTER PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND
A PERSONAL SHOPPER ASSISTS IN THE SELECTION. |
|
THE 1.800.8.KAMALI COLLECTION, POLY JERSEY,
BEAUTY, FRAGRANCE, ACTIVE WEAR, SUITS, DRESSES AND SWIMWEAR ARE ALL AVAILABLE
THROUGH THE INTERNET. CLIENTS CAN FILL OUT A CUSTOMER PROFILE ONLINE OR
E-MAIL OMO FOR A QUICK RESPONSE.
|
| 1999: |
WWW.NORMAKAMALICOLLECTION.COM
EXPANDS ITS SERVICE, OPPORTUNITIES AND INFORMATION.
NORMA KAMALI RECEIVES THE 1999 PENCIL AWARD
FOR EXTRAORDINARY COMMITMENT TO NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION.
THE LOWER EAST SIDE GIRLS' CLUB PRESENTS NORMA WITH THE WILLOW
AWARD, CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN.
THE NORMA KAMALI "LIVING
RUBBER" COLLECTION IS INTRODUCED. A MOOD RING CRYSTAL COATED
FABRIC THAT CHANGES COLORS, LIVING RUBBER INTRODUCES A NEW TECHNOLOGY
THAT PROMOTES INVENTION IN FASHION.
NORMA KAMALI RECEIVES THE FASHION OUTREACH STYLE AWARD
FOR CONTINUED WORK IN DESIGN INNOVATION AS WELL AS WORK WITH NEW YORK
CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
|
| 2000: |
WWW.NORMAKAMALICOLLECTION.COM
HAS EVOLVED INTO A NORMA KAMALI WEBSITE DIRECTORY, A GUIDE THROUGH ALL
SEVEN NORMA KAMALI LINKED SITES. INFORMATION ON THE BEAUTY AND FRAGRANCE
LINES, AS WELL AS A BIOGRAPHY, HOW TO "SHOP LIKE A CELEBRITY," THE CLIENT
PROFILE FORM, PRESS CLIPPINGS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES. YOU CAN E-MAIL
NORMA KAMALI DIRECTLY FOR A PERSONAL RESPONSE. THIS SITE CATALOGS THE
DESIGNER COLLECTION, FROM SPECIAL GROUPS TO ONE OF A KIND ITEMS. IT'S
A GREAT PLACE TO ORDER A WEDDING GOWN, AND "
SHOP LIKE A CELEBRITY" IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE
GOWN HOME, ON APPROVAL, FOR 48 HOURS TO TRY ON FOR YOUR FRIENDS BEFORE
YOU BUY IT.
WWW.NORMAKAMALISWIMWEAR.COM
NORMA KAMALI IS KNOWN AS AN INNOVATOR IN THE SWIMWEAR INDUSTRY. HER
EXTENSIVE SWIM LINE IS CATALOGUED ALONG WITH PRESS CLIPPINGS, AND THE
GUIDE "HOW TO CHOOSE A SWIMSUIT," WRITTEN BY NORMA KAMALI, TO HELP CLIENTS
FIND THE BEST SWIMSUIT. THE BEST PLACE TO TRY SWIMSUITS IS AT HOME,
ALONE, AND THERE ARE ALSO INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW CLIENTS CAN DO THIS THROUGH
THE
"SHOP LIKE A CELEBRITY" SERVICE. AFTER 48 HOURS, THE CLIENT
IS CHARGED ONLY FOR WHAT SHE KEEPS. FED EX PICKS UP THE RETURNED ITEMS.
WWW.NORMAKAMALIJERSEY.COM
THE ENTIRE NK JERSEY LINE IS CATALOGUED WITH PRESS CLIPPINGS. NEW STYLES
ARE ADDED EVERY MONTH AND THE COLOR SCHEME CHANGES EVERY THREE MONTHS.
THE NK JERSEY COLLECTION IS COMPRISED OF ESSENTIALS, CAREER,EVENING,
SWIMWEAR, ACTIVE SPORTSWEAR, SLEEP WEAR AND WEEKEND. THERE IS A CULT
LIKE FOLLOWING WHICH GROWS EACH YEAR.
WWW.NORMAKAMALIACTIVE.COM
NORMA KAMALI'S ACTIVE SPORTSWEAR LINE HAS COUNTLESS OPTIONS. THE SITE
OFFERS UNIQUE NEW TAKES ON ACTIVE WITH THE BEST QUALITY FABRICS AND
CONSTRUCTION, FROM WORKOUT BRAS TO CATSUITS TO GYM GOWNS.
WWW.NORMAKAMALIEYEWEAR.COM
VISITORS CAN BROWSE THROUGH AVAILABLE STYLES AND FIND THE STORE NEAR
THEM WHERE THEY ARE SOLD.
RETAILERS CAN FIND INFORMATION ON HOW TO STOCK THEIR STORES WITH THESE
UNIQUE FRAMES.
MEN CAN USE THE ON APPROVAL SERVICE. WE OVERNIGHT YOUR SELECTION AND
ONLY PAY FOR WHAT YOU KEEP. SHOP AT HOME. NO HASSLES FOR ME WHO LIKE
CLOTHES BUT NOT THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.
WWW.NORMAKAMALIVINTAGE.COM
NORMA KAMALI'S CAREER SPANS SEVERAL
DECADES AND NK VINTAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION TO DOCUMENT ON LINE PRESS
PHOTOS, VIDEOTAPES, LOOKBOOKS AND NORMA KAMALI'S COMMENTS ABOUT SIGNIFICANT
INFLUENCES AT EACH TIME.
|
| 2001: |
NORMA KAMALI WAS HONORED WITH MANY REFERENCES TO HER DESIGNS THAT INSPIRED
OTHER DESIGNERS COLLECTIONS THIS YEAR. IN FACT THE METROPOLITAN
MUSEUM OF ARTS EXHIBIT, "EXTREME BEAUTY",
FEATURED HER PATENTED HIGH HEELED SNEAKER NEXT TO A NEW VERSION FEATURED
IN CURRENT COLLECTIONS.
THE MANHATTAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTED
NORMA KAMALI WITH THE 2001 BUSINESS OUTREACH AWARD
FOR HER WORK WITH THE NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
|
| |
NORMA
KAMALI CREATED AN AUTHENTIC STATE-OF-THE-ART DESIGN
ROOM AT WASHINGTON IRVING HIGH SCHOOL. EVERY OTHER WEEK SHE TEACHES
THE SCHOOL’S FIRST FASHION DESIGN CLASS IN THAT ROOM. ROOM 741
WAS NORMA’S HOME ROOM CLASS WHEN SHE WAS A STUDENT IN THE SCHOOL.
IT WAS TOTALLY GUTTED AND RENOVATED TO AN ALL WHITE DESIGN LAB WHERE
THE STUDENTS LISTEN TO CLASSICAL MUSIC AS THEY WORK AND WEAR LAB COATS
IN THE DESIGN ROOM.
|
| 2002: |
NORMA
KAMALI RECEIVED THE 2002 ENTREPRENEUR
AWARD BY THE FASHION GROUP
THE WOMAN’S
HISTORY MONTH AWARD WAS PRESENTED BY THE NEW YORK CITY COMPTROLLERS
OFFICE TO NORMA KAMALI IN MARCH.
NORMA KAMALI SIGNED
TO WRITE A BOOK WITH SCHOLASTIC ON ”HOW TO
BE A DESIGNER” FOR STUDENTS OF FASHION DESIGN.
THE FASHION
CENTER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT INDUCTED NORMA KAMALI INTO
ITS 2002 FASHION WALK OF FAME. NORMA WAS
HONORED, ALONG WITH SEVEN OTHER DESIGNERS, FOR HER ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN
IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY. PLAQUES ARE LOCATED ON THE SIDEWALK OF SEVENTH
AVENUE BETWEEN WEST 34TH AND 41ST STREETS.
NORMA'S PLAQUE READS AS FOLLOWS: "A SPIRIT OF EXPERIMENTATION IS CENTRAL
TO THE WORK OF NORMA KAMALI. SHE FIRST BECAME FAMOUS IN 1980 FOR DESIGNING
SEPARATES MADE FROM SWEATSHIRT MATERIAL. ANOTHER INNOVATION WAS HER USE
OF PARACHUTE SILK TO MAKE JUMPSUITS. PERHAPS BEST KNOWN FOR HER MUCH IMITATED
"SLEEPING BAG COAT," KAMALI ALSO BECAME THE ULTIMATE SWIMWEAR DESIGNER
BY INFUSING HER WORK WITH HOLLYWOOD-STYLE GLAMOUR."
|
| 2003: |
THE NORMA KAMALI HEADQUARTERS WAS RENOVATED
TO CREATE A NEW RETAIL STYLE ENVIRONMENT AND A NEW PHILOSOPHY.
THE NEW WELLNESS COLLECTION IS A LIFESTYLE CONCEPT OF PERSONAL CARE,
GOURMET AND WELLNESS PRODUCTS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
BARXV IS THE SPACE WHERE IT IS PRESENTED. EVERYTHING IS WHITE WITH GLOWING
WHITE LIGHT THROUGHOUT AND THE SOUND OF WAVES, CHILDREN GIGGLING AND MELODIC
RHYTHMS FILL THE HEAVENLY ATMOSPHERE. DETOX FROM OVER STIMULATION WHILE
EXPERIENCING BEAUTIFUL SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO MODERN DAY GROOMING FROM THOUSAND
YEAR OLD HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES AND GRANDMA RECIPES. THE SCENTS ARE UNCOMPLICATED
SINGLE NOTE AROMAS THAT ENHANCE RELAX AND ENERGIZE WITH THERAPEUTIC RESULTS.
|
| 2004: |
THE NORMA KAMALI HEADQUARTERS AT 11 WEST 56
STREET WAS RENOVATED TO CREATE A NEW RETAIL STYLE ENVIRONMENT AND A NEW
PHILOSOPHY. NORMA KAMALI DESIGNED THE SPACE AND PRESENTS HER NEW WELLNESS
COLLECTION, A LIFESTYLE CONCEPT OF PERSONAL CARE, GOURMET AND WELLNESS
PRODUCTS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
THE RETAIL SPACE FOR CLOTHING IS FREE OF CLOTHING RACKS AND IS AN OPEN
SPACE OF HANGING MANNEQUINS DISPLAYING THE FULL NORMA KAMALI CLOTHING
COLLECTIONS AND CONTAINERS THAT HOLD THE SWIMWEAR AND THE PACK ABLES
COLLECTIONS ARE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE SPACE.
WELLNESS NIGHTS OFFER RESTORATIVE YOGA, TAI CHI, PILATES AND
GYROKINESIS MONDAYS TO THURSDAYS FROM 6:30-8:00 PM INTERACT IN THE SPACE.
TASTE SAMPLE THE WELLNESS COLLECTION AND RELAX.
|
| 2005: |
NORMA
KAMALI IS ONE OF CFDA'S HONOREE TO RECEIVE THE BOARD
OF DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL TRIBUTE AWARD.
NORMA
KAMALI HAS COME UP WITH SO MANY DESIGNS THAT SHE CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED
AS A GREAT AMERICAN PIONEER IN FASHION. WILE HER AESTHETIC HAS ALWAYS
BEEN GROUNDED IN SOPHISTICATION, IT'S ALSO BASED ON THE UNORTHODOX JUXTAPOSITIONS
OF TECHNIQUE AND MATERIAL. SHE HAS TRANSFORMED RECYCLED ARMY SURPLUS
PARACHUTE SILK AND DOWN SLEEPING BAG INTO COCOONS OF FEMINITY. SHE REINVIGORATED
THE WHOLE IDEA OF GLAMOUR, UPDATING ADRIAN'S PEPLUM SUIT AND SHOULDER
PADS FOR HER CLIENTS AND FANS, AND IN THE PROCESS IGNITED THE RAGE FOR
VINTAGE. SHE WAS THE FIRST TO RECREATE THE GLAMOUROUS SWIMSUIT, WHICH
HAS REMAINED SO INFLUENTIAL IN THE MARKETPLACE. THE WAY COCO CHANEL
TOOK MEN'S UNDERWEAR JERSEY AND MADE IT A STAPLE FOR WOMEN, KAMALI MADE
INDUSTRIAL GRADE GYM SWEATSHIRT FABRICS INTO A GROUND-BREAKING COLLECTION
IN 1980 THAT PRACTICALLY LAUNCHED THE LEISUREWEAR REVOLUTION. AND THERE
IS NO IMAGE MORE MEMORABLE THAN RAQUEL WELCH IN A GREAT KAMALI SIREN
DRESS, OR PALOMA PICASSO IN A KAMALI SUIT. MANY OF HER SHAPES OF THE
PAST THREE DECADES REMAIN SO CONTEMPORARY, AND AT THE SAME TIME, SO
TIMELESS, THAT SHE STILL SELLS THEM IN HER SHOP. AND YOU SEE HER SLEEPING
BAG COATS, WHICH WERE A UNIFORM IN THE '70S, ON THE STREETS EVERY WINTER.
SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN AN INDEPENDENT, IN BOTH FASHION AND IN RETAILING.
HER FIRST SHOP ON EAST 53RD STREET FEATURED LIZARD AND LEATHER, THEN
SHE MOVED IT TO MADISON AVENUE IN 1974, AND STARTED ATTRACTING SOCIETY
GIRLS. FOUR YEARS LATER, SHE BROUGHT CUTTING-EDGE STYLE TO SHOPPING
WITH THE LAUNCH OF OMO. AND SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST DESIGNERS TO SELL
FASHION ON THE INTERNET. IN HER WAY OF THINKING AND IN HER WORK ALWAYS
THERE IS A STREAK OF SOMETHING IMAGINATIVE AND QUITE REMARKABLE. SHE
DOESN'T LOOK TO ANYONE, AND SHE IMITATES NO ONE BUT HERSELF. IT'S ALWAYS
ABOUT HER STYLE. TO ME, SHE IS AMERICA'S ELSA SCHIAPARELLI.
BY ANDRE LEON TALLEY
NORMA KAMALI AND EVERLAST PRESENT A CONTEMPORARY SPORTSWEAR COLLECTION STARTING
SPRING 2006.SHE IS WELL KNOWN FOR HER SWEATS FROM THE 80’S AND THE UPDATED
VERSION OF THIS COLLECTION WILL CARRY FORWARD THIS TIMELESS CONCEPT.
|
| 2006: |
NORMA KAMALI AND
SPIEGEL TEAMS UP TO CREATE NORMAKAMALITIMELESS. A COLLECTION OF
STYLES EDITED ESPECIALLY FOR SPIEGEL CATALOGUE AND SPIEGEL.COM. ALL
STYLES HAVE MULTISTYLE OPPORTUNITIES. THE SPIEGEL CATALOGUE SHOWCASES
THE VARIETY OF WAYS THE STYLES CAN BE WORN. THE SPIEGEL WEBSITE, WWW.SPIEGEL.COM,
FEATURES VIDEOS OF THE MANY WAYS EACH STYLE CAN BE WORN FOR EASY REFERENCE.
THE COLLECTION PRICE RANGE IS $12-$89.
|
