Norma Kamali started her career during a time when women were expected to type memos in Mad Men-esque offices, not build their own empires. She came of age in 1960s New York City and since then, Norma’s become one of the most influential names in fashion. Norma is responsible for iconic looks like Farrah Fawcett’s red swimsuit, the sleeping bag coat, and some of the earliest activewear, before “athleisure” was ever a thing. At 80-years-old, she’s showing no signs of stopping.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Norma also shares:
How a $29 flight and a basement boutique kicked off her career
What it took to walk away from a toxic business – and marriage
Why she took her brand to Walmart, even when people told her not to
How learning to ask for help changed her life
Why AI gives her a bigger creative high than anything else
On Why She’s Grateful For Her Ex-Husband
Norma: We were both 19 when we got married… When you're 19, you can’t be sure that by the time you're 30…And then our lives just kind of went in different directions. At the time it was really important to be honest that he was dating the sales girl and then the sales girl told me what she wanted me to make for her in the shop. Only because it was so outrageous and it was so awful did I leave. I never would've gone. So I thank her and I thank Eddie for pushing me out the door to do what I was supposed to do. At the time, I was devastated. He was manipulating me by controlling the money and everything so I wouldn't leave. But because it was so awful, I left and I thought: I can't stay with that. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I have to try something else. So I thank her and I thank him for being what the universe presented to me, the reason to go on my own.
On Why She Continues to Learn New Things, Even at 80
Norma: Learning something new all the time is critical to whatever it is you're gonna do. I learned how to make clothes for Walmart. I learned how to do so much that I'd never done before, and I still find it is an important part of my own development and the longevity of the company. If you stay the same in a company and as a brand, it's sort of a death sentence. Eventually, it's not going to be as interesting to people.
On the Importance of Asking for Help
Norma: If you need help, talk to people about it because. There's somebody that can help you. Keeping it to yourself – even if the situation you're in is humiliating and awful – is not gonna help you. By doing that, I learned to come outta my shell.
These quotes have been edited for clarity.
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