2024 HONOREES
Norma Kamali
Outstanding Alumni Award
Norma Kamali is an iconic designer marking 55 years in business. She owns her own business and continues to remain relevant in the fashion industry while living a creative life and running her global company. Norma is credited with fashion inventions that have impacted and influenced fashion globally throughout the decades.
She invented many firsts in fashion: the sleeping bag coat, sweats as ready to wear which inspired casual dressing as a global lifestyle, inventive active sportswear, influential swimwear that inspired many swimwear companies for decades, wash and wear easy care, and jersey knit collections for a modern lifestyle for packable travel friendly wardrobes.
She designed luxury collections in Italy and a fashion wardrobe for Walmart while managing her global business based in New York City. She collaborated in numerous licensing agreements for all categories in the USA, Japan and Europe throughout her career. No matter the design, the objective for her brand is designing clothing that is timeless, sustainable (wash only), and inspires the wearer to feel good.
Norma’s fascination for technology has been used throughout her career, from the early days in 1964 as a reservations agent at northwest airlines trained on a Univac computer. Her early realization of the opportunities of access to real time data inspired many forays into the digital world in her business.
Her website, created in 1996, was the first step for her to have real-time connections directly to her clients. “Try before you buy” and “shop like a celebrity” were instituted at this time as well. QR codes were used for shopping in store from mannequin installations, eventually giving clients the chance to see the clothing in person and then save the QR code photo for future purchasing upon arrival at home.
Her headquarters, established on 56th street in a building she purchased in 1982, created a full concept design company, from the sample room to three floors of retail. As of July 2022 her new headquarters are in the west village, with 17,000 sq ft for the company office and sample room, as well as installations and events.
Her current collections are designer styling at contemporary price points. The distribution is primarily e-commerce accounts globally and distribution agreements in Europe, Canada, and Australia. Her retail store was replaced by a 24/7 website, with same day service in the New York city metropolitan area for tourists. Norma believes fashion and beauty are enhanced by a healthy, fit body and mind. Her book released in 2021 outlines her research and studies into healthy lifestyle, wellness, and longevity.
“More to follow as my dream comes to life!”
-Norma Kamali
Rebecca Hessel Cohen
Entrepreneurship Award
Rebecca Hessel Cohen is the founder and creative director of LoveShackFancy, a brand that has become synonymous with love, celebration and leaning into what makes you fascinating, beautiful and confident. Her love of vintage clothing and a belief that playing dress up never has to end guides her clear creative vision and maximalist aesthetic.
She began her career early, interning at Vogue, Elle and Teen Vogue before ultimately becoming Cosmopolitan’s Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor, where she learned the true power of memorable storytelling. During that time the very first LoveShackFancy item, a hand-dyed halter dress, was made to celebrate Rebecca’s wedding in 2013. That one article of clothing has turned into a rose-colored world and true romance with all things dreamy and drenched in optimism, beloved by women of all ages and generations.
Today, she oversees the entire LoveShackFancy universe, from fashion to beauty to home to lifestyle to collaborations and events all over the world. Her favorite day is one where she is opening a store, dancing with her family and friends, and dreaming up the next chapter in the LoveShackFancy story.
LoveShackFancy is an award-winning and family-owned company with 17 stores worldwide, 450 retail partners including Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods, and Selfridges, plus select online retailers like Net-A-Porter and Revolve, and collaborations with Gap, Pottery Barn, State, Bogner, Supergoop, Hurley, American Girl and Bandier. Millions of friends have joined the party, sharing in the belief that being in love with love is a state of mind that can take you farther than you ever imagined.
Kenneth Cole
Social Impact Award
Kenneth Cole is an American designer, social activist, and visionary who believes business and philanthropy are interdependent. His global company, Kenneth Cole Productions, creates modern, versatile, and functional footwear, clothing, and accessories that make daily dressing effortless for Men, Women, and Kids. The brand spans over 28 product categories with 27 licensed partners. For 40 years, Kenneth Cole has leveraged his passion and unique brand platform to make a meaningful impact on people’s wardrobes, as well as in underserved communities.
Kenneth joined amfAR’s board of directors in 1987, and on World AIDS Day in 2004, he assumed chairmanship. Under his leadership of 14 years, amfAR was instrumental in significant breakthroughs in AIDS research, treatment, and prevention for the betterment of millions globally.
In 2016, Kenneth accepted an appointment as a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador with the goal of helping to end AIDS as a public health crisis by 2030.
In 2003, Kenneth joined the board of trustees of the Sundance Institute and has supported and advocated for the need for independent storytelling.
After the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Kenneth opened a Health Center in Cité Soleil, serving the most underserved population in the northern hemisphere, in an effort to enable access to basic healthcare services to over 1.5 million Haitians in need.
In 2020, in the midst of the COVID 19 crisis, Kenneth launched an initiative to address what was arguably an even larger pandemic: Mental Health. The Mental Health Coalition (MHC), a coalition of the nation’s leading mental health organizations, brands, and individuals who have joined forces to end the debilitating stigma surrounding mental health and to change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
The Coalition’s mission is to build a like-minded community who will work together to destigmatize all mental health conditions, and enable equitable access to vital resources and support for all. The Mental Health Coalition was formed with the understanding that the mental health crisis is fueled by a pervasive and devastating stigma, preventing millions of individuals from being able to seek the critical treatment they need. MHC is committed to not relent until mental health is no longer associated with stigma, shame, or judgement and all people feel empowered to openly discuss and address their individual mental health needs.