June 25, 2010
by fashionpulse
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.
May 11, 2010
by fashionpulse
I’ve been a long-time admirer of Norma Kamali; she is one of my most favorite designers as she is extremely innovative, creative, totally ahead of her time, and modest — a rare trait found in designers these days! I’ve been buying pieces of her Wal-Mart collection since its inception about a year and a half ago, and must say that I’m impressed with the cuts and quality — with pretty much everything under $20! My most recent acquisition was the One-Shoulder Maillot Swimsuit for $20 (pictured above)- and fits me like a dream (I swear – I didn’t even try it on in the store!)
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
November 11, 2009
by fashionpulse
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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September 23, 2009
by fashionpulse
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