My first job ever was an internship with Norma Kamali when I was a junior in High School. I had absolutely no fashion-related work experience at the time and after what felt like about a million unsuccessful attempts at securing an internship my mom — a devoted Norma Kamali follower — had managed to convince an SA at the designer’s store that I would be perfect for the job (mainly because I was hard working, desperate, and willing to do anything to break into the industry). Turns out it was faith because it not only perpetuated my love for Norma Kamali (I often spotted the iconic designer on the top level of her flagship NYC store where the offices/production are located), my fellow intern was a Cornell student who helped convince me that the upstate school’s fashion program was the right fit for me. Needless to say when I heard that Norma Kamali came out with a line for Walmart I was intrigued. I’ve always felt that NK is one of the most under-appreciated designers out there. I wore a coat that I lifted from my mother’s closet to this season’s Yigal Azrouel show and low and behold the a number of model walked out in printed boiled wool blanket coats that looked almost exactly like the 10-plus year old coat I was wearing (pictured above — in a nod to NK’s timelessness it’s still for sale after all these years!) The Walmart line has gotten almost no attention and it’s surprising because the designer has managed to produce some wonderful frugal finds (waaay cheaper than any designer-H&M/Target collaboration), especially for work and working-out. See more after the jump!
Career Box Tie Shirt, $15
Jersey Long Crew Swing Dress, $20
Oversized Hooded Sweater, $6 (YES $6! — and it’s super cozy)
Career Trousers, $15