Timeless, classic style, all under $100, online only. I thought we’d cut to the chase and I’d give you, right off the bat, exactly what Norma Kamali’s brand new line, KamaliKulture, rotates upon. Norma, who’ve I’ve been fascinated by for as long as I’ve had an interest in fashion, for being an innovative pioneer, incredible female entrepreneur, but with the offset of a totally modest personality,  is someone whose vision and spirit I can 100% get behind. Plus I own literally 16 items from her Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart collection, so I guess you can say I have a bit of an obsession with her designs!

In a size range of 0-18, Norma has created styles for KamaliKulture that look great on every body shape, can be worn in a myriad of circumstances and isn’t attached to a trend or season, so you will get TREMENDOUS bang for your buck!

I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Norma, who devoted practically an hour to me, one-on-one, to discuss our joint love of olive oil, technology, education, and of course, fashion.  What I learned from Norma is that constant curiosity, to optimistically approach trial and error, perseverance, and passion are essential to remaining relevant and successful in this ever-changing fashion industry.

Norma also understands what most of us want — incredible value AND style at a manageable price point.  The all in one dress, plus many others (u-neck, shirred sleeveless, side-draped, more), swimwear, suiting, dresses, and eyeglasses can now be purchased at  KamaliKulture, Amazon, and Zappos. Here’s an explanation on KamaliKulture in Norma’s own words, plus a fun video to watch the clothes in action! Enjoy the new collection, and let us know which piece(s) you purchase!

[The designer Norma Kamali with FPD's Julia DiNardo (thank you Dina of EyeforStyle for the photo!]

-Julia DiNardo

Kicking off Fashion Week this season was the third annual Fashion 2.0 Social Media Awards, and it was OUT of this world! With Robert Verdi as the host and Norma Kamali as the keynote speaker, it was truly a night to remember! Kamali waxed poetic about her deep-seeded love of technology, and how now is such an exciting time to be living, working, and being apart of the incredible changes in our world and culture thanks to technology.  I loved her constant sense of curiosity, desire to learn, and how modest she is about what a tremendous trailblazer she’s been in her career.
The 2012 Fashion 2.0 Awards Winners from the night included:

Best Twitter: @DKNY

Best Facebook: Bergdorf Goodman

Best Blog by a Fashion Brand: DKNY PR Girl

Best Website: Marc Jacobs

Best Mobile App: Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder

Best Online Video: Prada Spring/Summer 2011 Video Campaign

Next Big Thing in Tech: Instagram

Top Innovator: Kate Spade

Fashion 2.0 Visionary Award: Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Co-Founders, Gilt Groupe

I hope  you enjoy some of the pics from the night, below (and one of me presenting “Best Facebook”)

[Images via Norma Kamali]

Influenced by classic films from the 1930s and 40s and the “classic American movie start style,” Norma Kamali introduced the iconic Bill swimsuit decades ago. A feminine skirted silhouette with a sweetheart halter neckline with ruching is flattering on every body type. The chic, fun, and elegant retro style is here to stay. Who said you have to wear a two-piece to be sexy?

Luckily, Kamali reintroduced the Bill swimsuit last year in a range of colors at an affordable price ($98), available exclusively at her flagship store in New York City and online. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the new, affordable style, Norma Kamali will be giving away four swimsuits on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Foursquare.  Can I get one of every color, please?

[September 1987 in WWD]

[Miranda in Sex and the City]

- Ambika Makin

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Jersey Shirred Sleeveless Dress, $20

Structured Shoulder Sweater Cardigan, $20

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[With Jordana Bruner of Clutch22 at the Cocktails & Couture Fashion Week Event]

Day 3 of Fashion Week was full of shows and running around, so I needed a break from my high heels and contact lenses! What I ended up wearing was a comfortable yet chic blend of reliable clothing, with a requisite pop of color

Top, with a very cool twisted racerback detail in the back, Nicole by Nicole Miller (courtesy of Nicole Miller)

Leggings (Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart)

Mohair Sweater (Old Navy)

Kayla Boots (courtesy of Kork-Ease)

Lucille Buckle Satchel (courtesy of Handbag Heaven)

In the world of fashion, black is always a safe, chic choice. I easily have eight lbds that I wear on a regular basis,  with brands ranging from Target to J.Crew and Calvin Klein to Norma Kamali with styles ranging from boatneck to strapless, empire to full-skirted numbers. The one thing that always remains the same across all of these styles? The ability to include a ‘stunner’ – a terrific accessory- be it footwear, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, that give your lbd a tremendous amount of personality and individual style. I decided to start this ‘Give it Some Personality’ series to show how you can take things you already have and breathe new life into them. I was inspired by these floral Marlee Tea Party Pink Floral Canvas Sneakers by 80%20 to create the look — the canvas shoes make the look very urban and playful, as well as practical (my feet log a lot of miles each day!). I’ve recently fallen for 80%20 shoes, interviewing designer Ce Ce Chin earlier this month, and after receiving a complimentary pair of shoes from the spring collection, I wanted to make them work in a way that was meaningful to me. I received this glass and metal necklace from my Mom for my birthday yesterday, and thought it married its sophisticated, modern aesthetic well with the downtown cool vibe of the shoes (and looked great with my Hudson Clutch!). Stay tuned for more ‘Give it Some Personality’ features!

-Julia DiNardo

Betsey Johnon's mannequin

[Images via NYMag.com]

A project that launched yesterday in NYC’s Garment District, the The Fashion Center Sideawalk Catwalk involves 32 designers who custom-designer Ralph Pucci mannequins as part of a public-art installation put together by the Fashion Center Business Improvement District. Designers participating include Isabel Toledo, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Rebecca Taylor, Donna Karan, Betsey Johnson, and many more. After the installation closes on September 3rd, the mannequins will be auctioned off and proceeds will benefit Materials for the Arts.

My other favorite pics from the new collection:

Shirred Column Print Jersey Dress, $20

Organic Cotton Knit Capri Jumpsuit, $15

Shirred Column Print Jersey Dress, $20

Tie-Dye Leggings, $10

Stripe Button-Down Tunic, $15

It’s pretty obvious that I am a huge Norma Kamali fan, however, when conveying reviews and information to you, my faithful FPD readers, I must always be utterly honest. The subject at hand is the Norma Kamali Women’s Sleeping Bag Jacket, $35 at Walmart. Although I’ve felt that most of the products I’ve tested out by the Norma Kamali for Walmart line have been fantastic for the price, this one gave me a few doubts. For one, it’s very lightweight, and could pass for a fall jacket but by no means a heavy duty winter one – it only has one button closer, and hardly a pillow’s worth of synethetic down filling. Even though it’s lightweight, it is rather bulky, and not really shape-defining, even with the belt tied tightly. Last, it is a bit too shiny; not in a metallic way, but more akin to a rain coat or – dare I say it – trash bag. What do you think? Is it a keeper? Am I asking too much for $35?

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It was the last day of fashion week, with the exhaustion and burnout from the last eight days already taking a toll on me, but there was no way I would skip Norma Kamali’s fashion week presentation! It was done in two parts — the first part was a 25 minute presentation at the Apple Store in SoHo, in which Kamali explained and demo’ed some of the innovations she’s incorporated into her business, from the “try before you buy” model with customers now using Skype, the Roiworld game, the more on-trend ebay-exclusive collection,  to the Norma Kamali iPhone application where one can fashion an outfit and then buy the actual items at Walmart.com. Normal Kamali has always been way way ahead of the curve, and is so modest that I don’t think a lot of fashion devotees even know to attribute her with many of her amazing contributions to fashion.

I give her so much credit for designing in her own style and executing the Wal-Mart collection, which now includes a $24 all in one dress, and she announced that for winter a $35 sleeping bag coat is on the way. The invite to the event was titled “the democracy of fashion” and in Kamali’s case, this really does ring true in everything that she does, from make really good fashion affordable for all, to her re-appropriating of materials such as parachutes, sleeping bags, and jersey fabrics into fantastical yet functional new creations. The second part of the presentation involved a lineup from Kamali’s new collection for ebay, her OMO (on my own) collection found in her store, and the Wal-Mart collection. Most of the collections were interspersed, and the only distinguishing factor to tell which was which was the signs the models were holding. Despite the rain and the last day of fashion week mayhem, Norma Kamali is always worth paying attention to, because what she’s doing now, will eventually set the pace for many other designers to follow in the near future.

-Julia DiNardo