Norma Kamali is the renowned American designer to conceive the legendary sleeping bag-inspired coat, which has bred generations of puffer jackets. Whether it is an upscale Burberry or everyday Old Navy, these jackets have become a staple winter item for hip hop starlets and cold-weather urbanites. Many myths have surrounded this iconic jacket – Norma Kamali supposedly slept in a sleeping bag after her divorce – but myths are meant to be exposed.

Kamali reveals that the concept of the sleeping-bag jacket came from a very simple story. While camping with a boyfriend in the mid-1970s, she found herself getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. It was so cold; she threw on her sleeping bag and bolted for a nearby bush. “As I was running,” she said, “I was thinking, ‘I need to put sleeves in this thing.’” (Quote from New York Times article, Always in Her Element)

Norma Kamali has always marched to her own beat and has never been shy about her forward thinking. Even with the economic downturn, her business OMO (On My Own) continues to thrive. At 63 years-old, Kamali’s heart and soul continues to be swimwear. Her retro pin-up bathing suits grace the covers of magazines like British Vogue, Elle, Vibe, Nylon and many others.

What is even more important to Kamali is making fashion accessible to all people, regardless of social or financial standing. Norma Kamali teamed up with Wal-Mart to create a sleek collection of career and leisurely clothes that are catered to the everyday woman. Not only is her clothing for Wal-Mart smart and affordable, Kamali now carries a swimwear line with recession-friendly prices starting at only $15 a piece.

With the fashion industry taking major shifts with the current recession, Kamali believes that ignoring these changes would be a disservice to the future health of the industry. With the notion of sustainability, Kamali believes that we must reconsider the way we sell, show and manufacture clothing.

Launching a new marketing and retail strategy that incorporates social networking such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Hulu, Kamali hopes to enhance the experience with her entire brand. She has even opted for a, ‘Try Before You Buy’ plan where shoppers can try out merchandise without paying for the items upfront. Even if a shopper is unsure of what size they are, they can simply jump on Skype for assistance. In the event of unwanted items not being returned within 48 hours, the credit cards used on file will be charged in full.

Norma Kamali is not only coveted for her contributions to the fashion world – she conceived a holistic lifestyle through food and health that was inspired by the chaos and tragedies of September 11. Born and bred in Manhattan, Kamali found that families needed comfort and wellness in their lives more than ever before. With the Lebanese and Spanish influence from her parents, Kamali built her entire wellness collection on a simple family essential: high-quality olive oil.

Kamali searched in the orchards of the Mediterranean for simple, organic ways to promote health, wellness, and good nutrition. “My search for the best olive oil in the world brought me to these wonderful homeopathic remedies and gradma recipes that are timeless and effective”. In the midst of New York City’s concrete and steel, Kamali’s Wellness Café is a sanctuary of calm and tranquility. The all-white palette used throughout the boutique is the perfect canvas to showcase Kamali’s incredibly products.

The Wellness collection includes several fragrances such as Lavande, Violette, Jazmin, Cucumber, and many others. Kamali caters to the needs of the entire family with luxurious products such as a Sea Clay Masque, shave crème for him, as well as an Olive Calcium Liminent made from a simple combination of olive oil and calcium made to clear a baby’s diaper rash. The Wellness Café is an old-fashioned soda shop with olive-infused ice cream, bonbons and cupcakes.

During the sixties, Norma Kamali started her career at Northwest Orient Airlines where she booked tours for clients in one of the few industries that used a computer. With her new marketing technology and focus on the needs of her customers, to Kamali, it’s almost as if she’s going back to the start.

www.NORMAKAMALICOLLECTION.com