Danielle Podrazil: Norma Kamali

Friday, August 19, 2011

Norma Kamali

I really like Norma and the fact that she is like 66 is so awesome!

Who's your target customer now?

"I have customers who are my fabulous age and those who follow the celebs that wear my clothes in their early twenties. they have one thing in common: They love being women. They have a spirit about life that tends to look like confidence."

You are 66, but you look 30 years younger! You must tell us about all your beauty secrets.

"I feel 30 years younger, so that is good! I use olive liniment for my body as a moisturizer and olive pureed soap...yup just olives pureed to a creamy consistency that we call Olive Only Soap. I use an all-natural self-tanner as a makeup base and a raw-food lipstain. I have cucumber juice and chlorophyll everyday. No pills, unless you count vitamin D3 mega doses and fish oil. I love massages, especially Thai massage, and I work out everyday—and on Sunday!—for two to three hours. I am starting a full series of acupuncture facelifts with Dr. Yang. After the first one, you look refreshed! I think it's a great thing to do if you have a wedding or special event, but I'm trying the series of 12. I believe if you feel good about yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally, you are truly empowered, and you can always feel female no matter your age!"

I told you I'm a big vintage collector and have a handful of your pieces from the '80s. Do you have an archive of your own stuff? any other designers you collect?

"I had a warehouse of 20,000 pieces, but I sold it all to a vintage store. Now the styles are having a second and third life. I was told many were purchased by designers, so the styles seem to live on, even if under another label. I am convinced, though, that by letting go of everything, I felt freer to do new things and look forward."

What's your advice to young women about finding their style...what's the secret?

"Only buy what you absolutely love. And develop a closet of those really special styles. It doesn’t mean they have to be expensive, just that you love them. Then start to mix them up in as many looks as possible. Photograph them so you can see what you like best. The more time that goes by, the more editing you can do until you have a refined selection, and, every day you could literally wear a different outfit that is an expression of your personal style."

The latest collection is very body-conscious but also very subdued and elegant...what were you going for when you designed it?

"There is one section that is a cross between vintage lingerie and ladylike dresses. I love crossing the lingerie swim line, too. When there is a blur between what could be a swimsuit or a sexy undergarment, it can be proactive and still done in a pretty, coquettish way."

I wish I was in Midtown more JUST so I could go to your Wellness Bar! Why did you launch it and what should readers get when they come to visit?

"The Wellness Café was established as a place where people can come for alternatives from food to personal care and lifestyle choices that can enhance fitness, health, and beauty. In fashion, we tend to cover our faces with makeup and create an illusion through clothing. One dress can change your night, but when you take it off will you still feel empowered when you look in the mirror? A non-processed food lifestyle with regular exercise and the use of personal-care products that support the immune system can transform your life. Little steps at your own pace can be very rewarding in a short time. Anyone who visits the café is welcome to a cup of green tea with some olive-oil popcorn and to test out some of the products. They can also sign up to be invited to our Wellness events where I personally share information about new products and people who are doing amazing things. Of course, all of this is done through vanity. why not get an acupuncture facelift? The acupuncture that transforms your face is really changing your entire system at the same time. From your liver and kidneys to your blood flow opening up everything to make way for a healthy balanced body and a beautiful glowing face."