Norma Kamali’s Brings Optimistic, Multipurpose Fashions to the Forefront of Spring
From the first glance of Norma Kamali’s spring collection, it was obvious she was channeling optimism.
Her happy colors (asparagus yellow, baby pink, cappuccino brown, soft green) and floral motifs (3D mesh rosebuds and painterly prints) livened up the styles she’s become famed for, including tailoring; ultra-flattering occasion wear (like a new bias slip slashed into a crop top and lengthy skirt); puffy shawl jackets; cool vegan leather jackets, and ample mesh layers (from catsuits to terry tracksuits open at the sides).
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A ‘70s vibe ran throughout, as seen in great bodysuits with drapey deep V-necks and lengthy sleeves, sequin jumpsuits and crochet separates (including swimwear). Kamali said she was thinking about the era because of its reference to American fashion.
“A lot of the original concepts came from the ’70s, and they come back easily,” she said, pointing out the return of her original pleated, balloon legged jumpsuit, as seen on the likes of Bianca Jagger in the ’70s (and recently requested again by customers).
But her biggest message of the season came through the return of her multipurpose ‘70s Convertible. “It comes in different lengths and you can wear it a lot of ways,” she said, pointing to the all-in-one wrapped as a multitude of dresses, skirts and tops in the showroom. “And retails for $100.
“My cousin got married in the ’70s. All of her bridesmaids all wore the Convertible and I was one of them, but every girl wore it in the way that she wanted to wear it,” Kamali added, providing an economical, machine-washable and chic solution for today’s booming wedding industry.
Kamali’s an innovator, and outside of the colorful look book, she had more to show. She pointed to her original semi-sheer, black striped paneled dress, recently spotted on Jessica Biel, alongside three new versions that incorporated fewer stripes, more skin and were designed by her new obsession, AI.
“This company can live without me, it truly can. It’s fabulous — how could I be threatened by it? Designers are so threatened by AI; they have to stop fearing it, it’s a creative [tool],” she said of the brand’s program, which only has Norma Kamali styles in it and will likely be used to help create exclusive designs for retailers.
For more New York spring 2025 reviews, click here.
Launch Gallery: Norma Kamali Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection
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