logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
35m 54s

Norma Kamali: “Be creative, be original,...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Fashion designer Norma Kamali has stayed relevant for generations by tapping into culture, creativity, and technology. In the early 60s, she got a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology but didn’t fit in with the style of the time. She abandoned design to work for an airline instead, giving her access to travel. During frequent trips to London, Norma discovered a fashion revolution that hadn’t hit the States yet. Soon she would be at the forefront of New York’s changing style. With her famous sweats collection, unforgettable sleeping bag coats, and iconic swimwear, she’s been credited with pioneering trends that still reverberate today. Unlike many designers, Norma never sold her brand, retaining control of both the creative and the business. Listen in to Norma’s conversation with Bob to tap into her wisdom– from the importance of disruption to sourcing creativity to innovative and forward-thinking uses of AI.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
Hoda Kotb: “Joy’s in us, it’s about unearthing it.”
Millions of Americans feel like Hoda Kotb is a good friend. She’s an acclaimed journalist and TV pioneer, best known for her years at NBC and the TODAY Show. More recently, she’s turned her focus to joy, stepping into entrepreneurship with her company Joy 101 and launching a new ... Show More
40m 43s
Sep 10
Marc Mentry: “I need everybody to act like this brand is theirs.”
Marc Mentry has cracked the code on community, culture, and live events to transform a brand and provide customers with high-value, unique experiences. As Executive Vice President of Brand Marketing for Capital One, Marc leads from the front line. Marc shares how the brand made i ... Show More
42m 53s
Jul 31
Celebrating MTV’s 45th Anniversary with the Real Story of MTV
In honor of the 45th anniversary of MTV, we’re rereleasing a classic episode: the real story of MTV, as told by the founders. Today MTV is a cultural institution, but people forget what a long shot it was to get the channel off the ground. Bob Pittman led the team that created MT ... Show More
52m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2021
Norma Kamali: Norma Kamali
When Norma Kamali studied fashion illustration in the 1960s, she never expected to become a designer. So when a job as an airline clerk came along, she was glad to accept it—along with the perk of dirt-cheap flights from New York to London. On those weekend trips abroad, she disc ... Show More
1h 30m
Dec 2024
Norma Kamali: Norma Kamali (2021)
When Norma Kamali studied fashion illustration in the 1960s, she never expected to become a designer. So when a job as an airline clerk came along, she was glad to accept it—along with the perk of dirt-cheap flights from New York to London. On those weekend trips abroad, she disc ... Show More
1h 29m
Oct 2025
Norma Kamali on Longevity, Creativity, and Finding Your Purpose
Norma Kamali is a fashion innovator and true icon, and today, she’s sharing lessons from her remarkable life with the Naked Beauty audience. Norma and I discussed her early days of bringing vintage clothing from London to New York, the creation of innovative designs like the Slee ... Show More
55m 13s
Mar 2021
Norma Kamali on Rebelliousness, Creativity and How She Made a Lasting Business
<p class="article-lead">After the release of her new book, I Am Invincible, designer Norma Kamali sat down with BoF’s chief correspondent Lauren Sherman to talk about the inception of her brand, its evolving purpose and plan, creativity and ageing.</p> <p>Norma Kamali has always ... Show More
1 h
Nov 2024
Advice Line with Norma Kamali of Norma Kamali
Iconic fashion designer Norma Kamali joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early stage founders. Plus, Norma shares her take on balancing a strong creative vision with the financial realities of building a worldwide brand. First we meet Ahmed in the ... Show More
50m 23s
Jul 2025
Advice Line with Norma Kamali of Norma Kamali (November 2024)
Iconic fashion designer Norma Kamali joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early stage founders. Plus, Norma shares her take on balancing a strong creative vision with the financial realities of building a worldwide brand. First we meet Ahmed in the ... Show More
50m 34s
Mar 2021
You Can’t Prescribe Passion (Feat. Norma Kamali)
On today’s Token CEO, Erika is joined by fashion icon and generational designer, Norma Kamali. The two talk making the most of every chapter of your life, taking chances, and not letting your age define you. On the same note, we bring on Barstool personality, Kayce Smith, Twisted ... Show More
1h 20m
Mar 2021
Norma Kamali is Invincible, part 2
Today we continue our conversation by one of our favorite designers, Norma Kamali, who has been a defining force in American fashion for more than five decades. RECOMMENDED READING: Kamali, Norma. I Am Invincible. New York: Abrams, 2021. Learn more about your ad-choices at ht ... Show More
27m 9s
Oct 2023
Fashion: Becoming a designer
We speak to Greek designer Dimitra Petsa - founder of Di Petsa - a brand which has been worn by celebrities around the world.She graduated from fashion school five years ago and since then has launched her own fashion brand.Very few make it in the fashion world - Dimitra explains ... Show More
16m 3s