Kamali, Norma (1945–)

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Kamali, Norma (1945–)

American fashion designer. Born Norma Arraez, June 27, 1945, in New York, NY; dau. of Lebanese mother and Basque Spanish father; graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology, 1964; m. Mohammed Houssein Kamali.

Three-time Coty Award winner, whose fashions are often inspired by classic 1930s and 1940s style, 1st opened a basement boutique with husband in their Manhattan East side apartment (1968); eventually moved headquarters to a 5-story townhouse on West 56th Street; invented the sleeping-bag coat, parachute dress, and hot pants; designed costumes for film The Wiz.