Norma Kamali

Norma Kamali was born on June 27, 1945, and raised on Manhattan's Upper East Side. She studied illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology before taking a job as an airline clerk at Northwest Orient Airlines in 1966. Using her employee discount, she flew to London on weekends to buy vintage clothing, which she then sold from a small New York boutique.

In 1967, at the age of 22, Kamali opened her first store in a nine-by-ten-foot basement space in New York City. She began designing original clothing that departed from the trends of the era, focusing on innovative silhouettes and comfortable, wearable pieces. Her early work laid the foundation for what would become one of the first great American fashion brands.

Kamali's breakthrough came through a series of iconic designs that redefined everyday fashion. She created the Sleeping Bag Coat in the mid-1970s from an actual sleeping bag, introduced sweats as acceptable sportswear, and designed the famous red swimsuit worn by Farrah Fawcett. In 1978, she launched Norma Kamali OMO, expanding her reach while maintaining creative control.

Despite periods of intense critical acclaim, Kamali faced profitability challenges early on. She ultimately partnered with Jones Apparel to access manufacturing and distribution while retaining design ownership. That collaboration proved transformative, giving her the financial stability to continue growing the brand on her own terms.

Today, Kamali remains the sole owner of Norma Kamali Inc., operating the brand out of New York City more than five decades after she opened her first store. She continues to design, innovate, and advocate for creative entrepreneurship.