Josie Natori
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Josie Natori | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Education | Manhattanville College |
| Labels | Josie Natori, Natori, Josie, Cruz |
- For the company, see The Natori Company
Contents |
[edit] Background
Josie Natori (born Josefina Almeda Cruz) is a Filipina fashion designer and the CEO and founder of The Natori Company. Natori served as a commissioner on the White House Conference on Small Business. In March of 2007 she was awarded the Order of Lakandula, one of the highest civilian awards in the Philippines. [1] In April, 2007, Natori received the "Peopling of America" Award from the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation. [2]
[edit] Early Life
Josefina Almeda Cruz was born in the Philippines in 1947. She was raised in a close-knit Filipino family, as one of six siblings. Her first love was the piano, and she performed solo with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of nine. [3]
Natori moved to the United States in 1964 to attend Manhattanville College. After graduating, she worked at Merrill Lynch, where she rose the ranks to become the first female Vice President in Investment Banking. [2] On Wall Street, she also met her husband Ken Natori, who served as a Managing Director of Shearson Lehman. The couple married in 1972.
[edit] Professional Career/The Natori Company
Natori made the move from Wall Street to fashion full-time in 1977, after considering a number of other entrepreuneurial ventures from opening a McDonald's franchise, to reproducing antique furniture. [4] She settled on fashion after a buyer at Bloomingdale's suggested she lengthen some peasant blouses sent to her from her native Philippines. The reworked garments were sold as nightshirts.
The Natori Company now sells lingerie, sleepwear, loungewear, underwear and other high-end women's fashion to upscale department stores in the US, and to at least 15 countries internationally. [5]. In addition to women's clothing, the company is also in the home furnishings industry, and in May, 2008 signed a licensing deal to sell Natori perfume. [6] The perfume is set to debut in the US in September, 2009, with international distribution to follow.
[edit] References
- ^ Josie Natori Receives Top Philippine Honor. WWD. Retrieved on [[December 11, 2007]].
- ^ a b The Ellis Island 2007 Family Heritage Awards - 2007 Recipients. The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation. Retrieved on [[May 15, 2008]].
- ^ Josie Natori - Designer/CEO The Natori Company, Filipino. Runway2Reality. Retrieved on [[May 15, 2008]].
- ^ Josie Natori Turns Dressing Inside Out. Time. Retrieved on [[May 15, 2008]].
- ^ Natori celebrates 30 years at breakneck pace.. New York Sun. Retrieved on [[May 15, 2008]].
- ^ Parlux Fragrances, Inc. Partners with The Natori Company to Launch Luxurious New Fragrance. MarketWire. Retrieved on [[May 15, 2008]].
