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 Filipino-American fashion designer. She is the founder and CEO of The Natori Company, a well-known brand for lingerie and clothing. Before starting her fashion empire, she had a successful career in business and finance.
Natori has received many honors for her work. In 2007, she was given the Order of Lakandula, a very high award for citizens in the Philippines. She also received the "Peopling of America" Award from the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation. Her design style is famous for mixing ideas from Eastern and Western cultures.
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Early Life and Education
Josefina Almeda Cruz was born in the Philippines in 1947. She grew up in a large, close family with five siblings. From a young age, she was a talented pianist. At just nine years old, she performed a solo concert with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra.
Her family was involved in business, which taught her important lessons early on. Her grandmother owned several businesses, and her father's construction company was one of the largest in the country.
In 1964, Natori moved to the United States to study at Manhattanville College. She focused on economics and later became a U.S. citizen in 1974. She has often said that America is a great place for immigrants to achieve their dreams.
From Finance to Fashion
Working on Wall Street
After college, Natori started a career in finance. She worked for a stock brokerage firm called Bache & Co. and even helped open an office for them in Manila. Later, she moved back to New York and joined Merrill Lynch. There, she became the first female Vice President in corporate finance, a major achievement at the time.
While working on Wall Street, she met her husband, Ken Natori. They married in 1972.
A New Career Path
By 1977, Natori wanted a new challenge. She thought about starting different businesses, like a McDonald's restaurant or an antique furniture shop. The idea for fashion came by chance. She had a traditional Filipino blouse, and a buyer from the famous Bloomingdale's department store suggested she make it longer and sell it as a nightshirt. This simple idea sparked the beginning of her fashion company.
The Natori Company
The Natori Company quickly became a success. It started by selling lingerie and sleepwear but grew to include clothing, accessories, and home goods. Today, her products are sold in major department stores across the United States and in more than 15 other countries.
Natori is proud that about 70 percent of her company's products are made in her home country, the Philippines. The company has also expanded into perfumes, towels, and eyewear.
Her success wasn't always easy. In 1983, political trouble in the Philippines made it hard to get her products, and her business almost failed. However, with her family's support, she was able to keep it going.
Famous Designs and Products
Lingerie and Clothing
Natori is most famous for changing the world of lingerie. When she started, she felt that lingerie was either boring or too flashy. She introduced bold, colorful, and stylish designs that were new and exciting. Today, The Natori Company has several clothing lines, including Josie Natori, Natori, Josie, and N Natori.
Home Goods and Fragrance
The Natori brand also offers products for the home. This includes bedding, bath towels, and even furniture and lighting.
In 2009, the company launched its first perfume. Later, in 2014, a new fragrance called JOSIE was released. It features the scent of sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines.
Store in New York
Natori has a special boutique store in the NoLIta neighborhood of New York City. It was her first stand-alone store in the U.S. and sells a wide range of her products, from lingerie to home decor. Natori calls the store a "lab" where she can experiment with new ideas.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Josie Natori has received many awards for her success in business and fashion.
- Galleon Award (1998): Given to her by former Philippine President Corazon Aquino.
- Order of Lakandula (2007): One of the highest honors given to a civilian in the Philippines.
- BPInoy Award (2008): An award from the Bank of the Philippine Islands recognizing successful Filipinos.
- Living Legends Stamp (2021): She was featured on a Philippine postage stamp as a "World-Renowned Filipino." Other famous figures in the collection included singer Lea Salonga and pool champion Efren "Bata" Reyes.
She is also a member of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Personal Life
Josie Natori is married to Kenneth Natori, who is the chairman of her company. Their son, also named Kenneth, works for the company too, focusing on the website and marketing. Natori is a proud grandmother and enjoys spending time with her family.
She and her husband live in New York City but also have a home in Westchester, New York, where they relax on weekends.
