Norma Kamali’s business sits right in the middle of the fashion spectrum — they’re styles that aren’t luxury priced, but certainly don’t sit within the lower “trend prices,” either. During a preview of fall, the designer said she sees continuity in this contemporary space.
“I think a lot has to do with clothes and accessorizing the clothes, and how you accessorize them,” Kamali said. “So what I did with this collection was thinking about what’s going to be fun for my customers, who are two different people. The 25-year-old and the 45-year-old — what will work for them?”
Her answer was presented through “two choices” of similar ideas, as seen through lingerie slipdressing with short baby-doll or mid-length hems, and revealing or concealing lace panels, with mesh bodysuits worn underneath. Kamali added a bit of drama to the every day with sculptural, rounded shoulders on a great vegan leather dress and terry sweatshirts, and ’70s winged shoulders, brought back from her archive, on backless bodysuits or a cute striped shirt with contrasting striped trousers.
“But there’s also some [looks] that are one choice, and it’s how you accessorize it that makes the look,” Kamali continued, pointing out fluffy leopard cropped capelets and stoles and vegan leather tube scarves that topped everything from occasion dresses and reflective sport styles to quilted ombré layers. And while not accessories, Kamali’s fun range of statement outerwear — see enveloping animal print coats and a cool gray suede fringed trucker jacket — proved to be the perfect toppers for any of her customers.
