YOUR LABELS ARE SHOWING

 
From the series:  Labels and Other Things That Define Us
By: Paulette Whitfield Black

Norma Kamali  in Walmart?  I must be dreaming.  Maybe I am having an out-of-body experience.  Where am I?  I feel strangely disoriented. Have I crossed over into the Twilight Zone?  Quick sombody pinch me!

Here I am standing in the middle of the Walmart women’s ready-to-wear department, completely caught off guard.  I came  in to pick up anti-aging skincare products.  Recently, my mirror on the wall has been telling me it’s time to do something about those fine lines, that aren’t so fine anymore. Since my husband insists that we live miles and miles from fashion civilization, Walmart has become my “go to” place for beauty needs.

I recall my mom first telling me about this chain.  She was so excited about this store where you could get everything at such a great price. What did I care?  I could afford to buy what I wanted, when I wanted from some of the best department stores.  As a matter of fact, I preferred it that way.  I wanted designer labels covering me from top to bottom, over and under.  At the time, I was a fashion art director for some of the top West Coast retailers.  Trust me when I say I can spot a knock-off from across the street.  The feel of a fine fabric is extremely gratifying to  the senses.   My mother was the only person for whom I would walk through aisles of rough, cheap fabric and houseware items, which did not interest me in the least.  She had to drag me in, kicking and screaming. I rea-l-l-ly did not want to go. Of course this was in the late 80’s so I craved the hardcore stuff.  Give me the YSL, Chanel, Anne Klein and for
goodness sake…NORMA KAMALI!

My friends and I gladly allowed ourselves to be defined by her interpretation of shape and color.  And now here she is, and here I am. Face to face in a new place in a new economy and a greener environment. Seemingly, Norma Kamali and I have learned the same life-lessons in our style journey.  Sometimes labels ae decieving.  Wal-Mart has become a giant in the industry, outlasting many of the older established retailers (the one’s I thought I could not live without.)  Norma Kamali’s sense of style is now about more than the “look.”  In a statement to Women’s Wear Daily she is proud to be part of the impact Walmart will have with the green initiative.  Once again she proves the pioneer spirit.  Once again she breaks the mold, only this time by providing designer style at a value.  And me?  Well,  I am not quite the style snob I used to be.  I’ve learned that the garment does not define me.   The designer label and I are two magificent works of art enhancing one another.  And great style can be found at a bargain, if you know where to look.