Adorn YOUR BODY

"Etta James is an original, timeless, American classic. Her voice effortlessly sings and emotes emotion that come deep from within her personal life psyche.

She touches everyone with the way she tells the story with the fluid sounds she creates to express a feeling, and the power to change your state of mind. The result is a captive audience and for sure, like me, long time fans.

I met Etta in 1993 when I was doing a fashion show at the tents. It turned out that when I started researching music for the show that every Etta James song I heard was perfect for the show. In fact, we did the entire show of Etta James songs. I remember her voice from the early sixties especially a song called “Dance With Me Henry.” I tried to sing just like her and absolutely loved the sound of her voice. Here I was so many years later connecting that song, and that voice to all of her beautiful music that we would be using for the show.

 "In fact, we did the entire show of Etta James songs. I remember her voice from the early sixties especially a song called “Dance With me Henry.” I tried to sing just like her and absolutely loved the sound of her voice. Here I was so many years later connecting that song, and that voice to all of her beautiful music that we would be using for the show. I contacted Etta’s manager to invite her to the fashion show. She lives in L.A. and was planning to come to New York a month later, so they in turn invited me to her performance at Irving Plaza. I met Etta after her show and felt so connected to her. We stayed in touch and she asked me to do some clothes for her and every time she came to NYC I met with her and saw her shows. I believe in my heart, that Etta holds a treasure that can not be recreated or duplicated ever again. Her voice, her sound, her energy and the life experience that is uniquely Etta is one of a kind and absolute magic. Etta is an original timeless American classic, and I truly love you Etta James - Norma Kamali

Some of my favorite Etta James songs: "At Last," "Tell Mama," "Breaking up Somebody’s Home," "Damn Those Eyes," "How Strong is a Woman"
Favorite Album: "Seven Year Itch"
 

"...So much of our personal history is other peoples memories of us. Friends and family who have shared experiences that were markers in your life can tell a story about you and that is part of your history. This starts quite early and these become the bonds we have that in some odd way define us. I was thinking that when there is a separation from mates, friends and family it is almost like missing a part of who you were and in fact who you are.

"Even though we change and are different people from decade to decade we still have a piece of our personal history connected to someone else’s existence. Situations like divorce can end an on going relationship but they can’t erase the history between two people. There are so many divorces these days and the truth is no matter the reason, personal history still exists with that other person. When my dear friend Robert died not long ago, I realized a part of my personal history died with him. When my mother died, my personal history tied to being no longer the daughter was a profound life changer. So, I was thinking more and more that every day we create personal history. We do it with mates, partners, family, friends, and coworkers. I think it is good to keep in mind that your personal history lives within the people around you.

You are a witness to someone else’s history everyday as they are to yours. What are you thoughts about personal history and its existence in other people until they are gone and a part of your history is gone with them?"