Josie Natori facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josie Natori
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Josie Natori in 2009
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| Born | May 9, 1947 |
| Nationality | Filipino, American |
| Education | Manhattanville College |
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| Awards | Order of Lakandula; Peopling of America, 2007; commissioner on the White House Conference on Small Business. |
Josie Natori (born Josefina Almeda Cruz on May 9, 1947) is a famous fashion designer. She is also the CEO and founder of The Natori Company. Josie Natori was an important advisor for the White House Conference on Small Business. This conference helps small businesses grow.
In 2007, she received the Order of Lakandula. This is one of the highest awards a civilian can get in the Philippines. She also received the "Peopling of America" Award from the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation. Josie Natori often says her business mixes "East-West" cultures and designs. This means she combines ideas from both Asian and Western styles.
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Josie Natori's Early Life
Josefina Almeda Cruz was born in the Philippines in 1947. She grew up in a close family with five siblings. Her mother and father were involved in construction. Josie loved playing the piano from a young age. She even performed with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra when she was nine. She also learned about business early on. Her grandmother owned several businesses, including a pharmacy.
Education and Moving to America
Natori moved to the United States in 1964. She went to Manhattanville College. There, she studied many economics courses. She also took classes at Fordham University. In 1974, she became a citizen of the United States. Natori believes that the U.S. is a great place for immigrants to succeed. She encourages everyone to follow their dreams.
Her Career Journey
- Working in Finance
After college, Josie Natori worked in finance. She joined a company called Bache & Co. She even traveled back to Manila to help open a new office there. At just 21, she became an assistant manager. Later, she worked at Merrill Lynch. She became the first female Vice President in corporate finance there. This was a big achievement. On Wall Street, she met her husband, Ken Natori. They got married in 1972.
- Switching to Fashion
In 1977, Natori decided to leave finance. She wanted to start her own business. She thought about many ideas, like opening a McDonald's or selling antique furniture. She chose fashion after a buyer from Bloomingdale's gave her an idea. The buyer suggested she make some long peasant blouses from the Philippines.
- Success in Fashion
The Natori Company now sells many fashion items. These include lingerie, sleepwear, and other clothes. They also sell accessories. Her products are sold in fancy department stores in the U.S. and in over fifteen other countries. Natori says that 70 percent of her company's products are made in the Philippines.
Her company also makes home items. In 2008, they started selling Natori perfume. The perfume came out in 2009. Natori also launched lines of towels and eyewear in 2009.
Josie Natori found success quickly. In 1978, her showroom was small. By 1983, it had grown much larger. An event in the Philippines in 1983 almost stopped her business. But her family helped her keep it going. Today, her silk and cotton robes are very popular. Women in the Philippines love them for their quality. They also feel proud of Josie Natori's success.
Josie Natori's Public Life
Yahoo has called Josie Natori a "self-made immigrant millionaire." She even helped furnish the rooms for Pope Francis. This was during his visit to Manila in 2015. She said they kept everything simple and mostly white. This was to respect the Pope's simple lifestyle.
Natori has appeared on TV to talk about fashion trends. She also discussed international shipping challenges. Her career change from finance to fashion has been shared by the Oprah media network.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Natori worked with Target on a special collection. It was called "East Meets West." This was Target's first limited-edition lingerie and loungewear collection. It was very popular. The company also works with Luxe Brands. They plan to create more lifestyle collections together.
Natori's Product Lines
- Lingerie
Josie Natori chose to focus on lingerie in 1977. She said that lingerie at the time was either old-fashioned or too bold. She wanted to create something new. She made colorful and unexpected lingerie. After showing her designs, Saks Fifth Avenue placed a huge order. She quickly received $350,000 in orders.
- Bedding and Home Items
Natori also makes bedding for her brands. These include Natori, Josie, and N Natori. Besides bedding, she offers bath and beach towels. In 2011, she started selling decorative rugs and home accessories. These include furniture and lighting.
- Fragrance
In 2014, Natori launched a perfume called JOSIE. She wanted the scent to be full of charm. The perfume includes the smell of sampaguita. This is the national flower of the Philippines.
- Where to Buy Natori Products
Natori's products are sold in many well-known stores. These include Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, and Nordstrom. You can also find them online at places like Amazon and Zappos.
- New York Boutique
Natori has her own store in New York City. It is located on Elizabeth Street in Manhattan. This was her first stand-alone store in the U.S. It sells lingerie, clothing, home items, and accessories. When it opened in 2014, Natori called it a "retail theater." She said everything was for sale, even the antiques on display. She sees it more as a "lab" than just a store. Natori also had a store in Paris for twelve years. It helped her brand become well-known.
Awards and Honors
Josie Natori has received many awards. In 2008, she won the BPInoy Award. In 2007, she celebrated 30 years as the CEO and founder of The Natori Company. She also received the Galleon Award from Corazon Aquino in 1998.
In 2021, Natori was featured on a Philippine postage stamp. This collection was called Living Legends: World-Renowned Filipinos. Other famous Filipinos were also part of this collection. Natori is also a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Personal and Family Life
Natori loves to shop to relax. She talks to her mother in Manila on the phone every night. Her husband, Kenneth, is the chairman of her company. Their son, also named Kenneth, is a vice president. He handles e-commerce, finance, and marketing. Josie Natori visits her grandchildren, Cruz and Zoe, every day. She takes them to school before starting her workday.
- Homes
Natori loves the energy of New York City. She and her husband also have a weekend home in Westchester, New York.
