Norma Kamali

And I had some grants that I won for some of my paintings that gave me money for art supplies. So I was able to go to FIT and study fashion illustration. So here I was drawing dresses, which was my comfort zone. And of course, I could afford it because of the scholarships. And then that was where I was. But I didn't really dream to be a fashion illustrator. That wasn't in my mind.

And I had some grants that I won for some of my paintings that gave me money for art supplies. So I was able to go to FIT and study fashion illustration. So here I was drawing dresses, which was my comfort zone. And of course, I could afford it because of the scholarships. And then that was where I was. But I didn't really dream to be a fashion illustrator. That wasn't in my mind.

I actually had a really good portfolio and I had a lot of support from one of the instructors there who, Anna Ishikawa, who was just unbelievable. She was very strict. She would make everybody cry. But if you got a compliment from her, I remember she complimented my portfolio. She never complimented anybody. She complimented my portfolio. that I was taking for my job interviews.

I actually had a really good portfolio and I had a lot of support from one of the instructors there who, Anna Ishikawa, who was just unbelievable. She was very strict. She would make everybody cry. But if you got a compliment from her, I remember she complimented my portfolio. She never complimented anybody. She complimented my portfolio. that I was taking for my job interviews.

And there was a white noise. I couldn't even hear anything after that. It was like, what did she say? So I felt confident about my portfolio. And I went on a job interview for fashion illustration at a garment industry company. And It was a situation that was really one about objectifying a young girl coming for a job. And it was humiliating and embarrassing.

And there was a white noise. I couldn't even hear anything after that. It was like, what did she say? So I felt confident about my portfolio. And I went on a job interview for fashion illustration at a garment industry company. And It was a situation that was really one about objectifying a young girl coming for a job. And it was humiliating and embarrassing.

I think, you know, this first big job interview is important. So you dress appropriately. You make sure that whatever the presentation is, it's really great. And I was very serious about it. And of course, I hear my mother's voice, get a job, get a job, get a job. You better get this job, Norma. And so I walk in and he has his feet up on his desk. He's eating a tuna sandwich.

I think, you know, this first big job interview is important. So you dress appropriately. You make sure that whatever the presentation is, it's really great. And I was very serious about it. And of course, I hear my mother's voice, get a job, get a job, get a job. You better get this job, Norma. And so I walk in and he has his feet up on his desk. He's eating a tuna sandwich.

And he tells me to put my portfolio down and come over to him and turn around for him. I remember I just couldn't hold it in. And I just started crying and running out of the office with my portfolio. Like tripping over myself, basically, and feeling just awful and coming home. And of course, my mother, did you get the job? And I was like, no, mom, I didn't.

And he tells me to put my portfolio down and come over to him and turn around for him. I remember I just couldn't hold it in. And I just started crying and running out of the office with my portfolio. Like tripping over myself, basically, and feeling just awful and coming home. And of course, my mother, did you get the job? And I was like, no, mom, I didn't.

And I couldn't even hear what else she was saying. And I remember. The place you would look for a job was the New York Times. So they would have a big classified section. I actually think it should still exist, this, because it was a great way to find a job. And so I was looking at all the jobs and I thought, I really want to travel.

And I couldn't even hear what else she was saying. And I remember. The place you would look for a job was the New York Times. So they would have a big classified section. I actually think it should still exist, this, because it was a great way to find a job. And so I was looking at all the jobs and I thought, I really want to travel.

And at the time, working at the airlines like Pan Am and TWA and Northwest Orient, that was really a great job, not as a stewardess, but in the office. And I had zero office skills. I didn't know how to type. Actually, I still don't know how to type. And I got the job and I was shocked that I got it because it was very strict and a difficult interview.

And at the time, working at the airlines like Pan Am and TWA and Northwest Orient, that was really a great job, not as a stewardess, but in the office. And I had zero office skills. I didn't know how to type. Actually, I still don't know how to type. And I got the job and I was shocked that I got it because it was very strict and a difficult interview.

So the next thing I know, I'm sitting in front of a Univac computer and I'm amazed at the information that the computer is presenting, and I thought to myself, whoa, this is really something. So I If you think that's a big leap from my childhood to this UNIVAC computer, and it's still the mid 60s, we're not talking about years ahead.

So the next thing I know, I'm sitting in front of a Univac computer and I'm amazed at the information that the computer is presenting, and I thought to myself, whoa, this is really something. So I If you think that's a big leap from my childhood to this UNIVAC computer, and it's still the mid 60s, we're not talking about years ahead.

I spent four years at Northwest Airlines and traveled to London round trip for $29 for the four years. So it was as if I was living in London for that period of time. And that's when, obviously, that was the beginning of a revolution that, starting with baby boomers, changed everything. And fashion changed completely. And I loved it.

I spent four years at Northwest Airlines and traveled to London round trip for $29 for the four years. So it was as if I was living in London for that period of time. And that's when, obviously, that was the beginning of a revolution that, starting with baby boomers, changed everything. And fashion changed completely. And I loved it.

And I started buying clothes from Biba and Bus Stop and other designers, bringing them to New York for friends. And then I opened a store.

And I started buying clothes from Biba and Bus Stop and other designers, bringing them to New York for friends. And then I opened a store.