Norma Kamali
photo courtesy of nytimes.com
Today's Times presents us a profile of Norma Kamali. First of all, I dream of looking as good as she does at 63. But more interesting than Kamali's weekly tai chi regimen is the way in which she's evolved her business over time. Certainly, she's enjoying popularity at the moment in part due to the resurgence of all things 80s. After all, Kamali was the force behind the marriage of athletic wear and fashion in that time period. More importantly, however, the profile depicts her as someone willing and able to change and thus survive in the fickle world of fashion. The author argues that those moves have been initiated by will of the designer. I'm not convinced, and find it more plausible that market forces have necessitated many of her decisions (e.g., selling a line of clothing at Wal-Mart). Still, it is commendable that she's weathered the whims of the fashion world for decades without outside investors, experimenting all along the way. Younger designers, heretofore relying on models dependent on moneyed conglomerates and hyper-rich patrons should take note. Adapt or die.
A selection from Kamali's current swimsuit line.
Photo courtesy of normakamalicollection.com
photo courtesy of nytimes.com
Today's Times presents us a profile of Norma Kamali. First of all, I dream of looking as good as she does at 63. But more interesting than Kamali's weekly tai chi regimen is the way in which she's evolved her business over time. Certainly, she's enjoying popularity at the moment in part due to the resurgence of all things 80s. After all, Kamali was the force behind the marriage of athletic wear and fashion in that time period. More importantly, however, the profile depicts her as someone willing and able to change and thus survive in the fickle world of fashion. The author argues that those moves have been initiated by will of the designer. I'm not convinced, and find it more plausible that market forces have necessitated many of her decisions (e.g., selling a line of clothing at Wal-Mart). Still, it is commendable that she's weathered the whims of the fashion world for decades without outside investors, experimenting all along the way. Younger designers, heretofore relying on models dependent on moneyed conglomerates and hyper-rich patrons should take note. Adapt or die.
A selection from Kamali's current swimsuit line.
Photo courtesy of normakamalicollection.com
posted by Chris at 7:41 PM
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