Occupation fashion designer Years active 1968-present | Name Norma Kamali | |
 | ||
Born June 27, 1945 (age 79) ( 1945-06-27 ) New York City, United States Profiles | ||
Conversations with norma kamali twyla tharp choreographer author dancer
Norma Kamali (née Arraes, born June 27, 1945 in New York City) is an American fashion designer of Lebanese and Basque Spanish descent. She is best known for the "sleeping bag" coat, garments made from silk parachutes, and versatile multi-use pieces.
Contents
- Conversations with norma kamali twyla tharp choreographer author dancer
- Norma kamali on dreaming big and going for it rule breakers presented by revlon
- Early life and education
- Designs
- Awards and honors
- References
Norma kamali on dreaming big and going for it rule breakers presented by revlon
Early life and education
Kamali grew up middle class in New York City. She aspired to be a painter. Kamali attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and earned a degree in illustration.
Designs
Kamali designed the red one-piece bathing suit worn by Farrah Fawcett in the iconic 1976 poster. The suit was donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in 2011. She is also credited with popularizing the shoulder pad in womenswear in the 1980s. Her work is included in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Kamali was the first designer to create an online store on eBay. In addition to designing clothing, she has also produced a fitness, health and beauty line. In 2008, Kamali produced a collection for Walmart.
Awards and honors
In 2010 Kamali received an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Fashion Institute of Technology. In 1981 Kamali won a Coty Award, called the "Winnie" but formally titled the American Fashion Critics' Award. Kamali has a plaque on the Fashion Walk of Fame. She received the CFDA Board of Directors Special Tribute Award in 2005, and was awarded the CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, which was presented to her by Michael Kors.
