NYFW: Why Norma Kamali is not showing at New York Fashion Week

Pictured: The Fabuless One, Designer Norma Kamali  in her store in her super cool Walmart NK Collection grey fleece jacket and skirt with elephant T-shirt. (photo M. Hall)

A couple of readers have emailed me this week to ask why one of my favorite people and favorite designers, Norma Kamali is not showing at  New York Fashion Week this week. It’s a really good question.  She is so brilliant, and if you have ever worn her clothes then you know how great the cut of her garments is.  I am still marveling over how wonderful her classic swimsuit looks on.  So why doesn’t Norma want to put on a really big show?  She revealed why recently in a panel discussion at a New York Times‘ TimesTalks with reporter Eric Wilson.  Her no show stance is really a matter of her personal style, and her preference for being behind the scenes.

“We know who we are and we know what we do best. I’m a background kind of person, I’m better kind of not being noticed…. I want to do what I want to do, so I’ve never had partners, never had investors. For me to do it, I have to find a way to do it my way.” said Norma.

I personally wish Norma would step into the limelight a bit more, but then, she might not be able to keep her prices as reasonable as they have been with her new OMA line.  After all, big fashion shows cost big money, which means higher mark-ups.  The designers have to pay for all this hoopla. With Norma, she is content to let her clothes do the talking, and what a great story they tell. Anyone can walk into her shop in New York and see her clothes anytime, with no seating arrangement and no ticket required.