She started combining health and beauty long before the clean beauty revolution even started

Walking into the wondrous shop off a busy Manhattan street was an adventure unparalleled to anything I have ever experienced. Power, confidence, sexiness, creativity, and the heart of a fierce womanly force to be reckoned with—I felt all of that in a moment I walked into Norma Kamali’s store, for the first time.  

Norma Kamali’s place felt like the ultimate woman’s clubhouse. It glowed with a spirit of  strength and empowerment, and originality touched every little thing from the clothing  to the wellness shop. At the time, I hadn’t even heard of Kamali’s story, and yet I could  feel it—I could feel her throughout the store. All of it was unique and teemed with vibes  that whispered, “it’s okay to feel sexy, try a sexy bathing suit on (if you dare), oh and here’s a green juice to jump start your confidence and health first.”  

At twenty-one years old, I became a fan, and I am even to this day. I’ll never  forget the designer swimsuit I purchased that first visit. Ten years later, I still get  compliments about it when I wear it.  

Who is Norma Kamali?

Norma Kamali has been a fashion-designer, health guru, fitness advocate,  inspirational coach, and health and beauty expert for over fifty-three years. At a difficult  time when women owned no businesses, she opened a store and designed clothes. When female entrepreneurs were rare, she became one; and her work still rings as a powerful  commodity to women and the fashion industry. She believes in traditional chinese  medicines and other natural remedies to keep oneself healthy and energetic. Notably,  she’s an expert on the body’s anatomy, which has helped form the foundation for her  love of beauty, health, and design. She’s best known for her exotic jackets and swimwear,  and year after year, she manages to create new fashions that still always make women  feel amazing. Savvy and empowering, she has created some of the craziest, outlandish styles of clothing, and yet they work. They are fun, colorful, and different.

As a norm in this modern world, there’s a dogma that tries to lock business  owners into rigid straitjackets of rules. It’s a view that says “you have to be brand mission oriented,” “you can only do one thing,” that you “must focus on one area of  interest and expertise,” that you have to do this or that, and the list goes on. I was struck  with inspiration (after learning of her story) because I could feel her resolution against  the dogma. She didn’t cave to the constricting business rules. She was original, and she  didn’t just do one thing. She spoke and specialized about a variety of material. It’s hard  to find people like this, who are passionate experts within so many fields. But they are  out there. It just takes some work to find them.  

Norma made her way in this world, doing it her way, not anybody else’s. Even at  seventy-five, she’s flourishing (and still looks amazing!), like the ultimate superwoman  we all aspire to be.  

Norma Kamali took a variety of subjects that should go hand-in-hand and helped hundreds of clients by mixing health, beauty, and fashion together—seamlessly. With great success, she accomplished what I strive to do myself: mix several areas of interest and expertise, undaunted and unafraid of what others might say or think. This woman is  incredible, and I hope she inspires you as much as she did me.  

Learn More About Norma Kamali…

She has empowered so many throughout the years; I only hope to do the same for my visitors and friends! In honor of her work, here are  informative links to her books, practices, and mindsets:  

Website  

www.normakamali.com- (a quick summary of Normas’s new book, e-commerce shop,  normalife skincare, and so much more)

Books  

I Am Invincible by Norma Kamili  

Facing East: Ancient Health + Beauty Secrets for the Modern Age  by Jingduan Yang and Norma Kamali

YouTube Channel  

NormaLife  

A special and warm thank you to Guy Raz, co-creator and host of podcast HOW I BUILT THIS for sharing this interview and story first. I continue to grow and learn from your work.

ABOUT AUTHOR

I’ve practiced, learned and implemented the raw food lifestyle, diets and techniques into my personal life for over 10 years. The resources and information I share most likely are from my wholesalers and teachers, in addition to my personal and professional experience.