History
The company was founded by Josie Natori, a native Filipino. After starting her career on Wall Street at Merrill Lynch, where she rose the ranks to become the first female Vice President in Investment Banking,[3] she decided to pursue a childhood dream of being an entrepreneur. After considering a number of other entrepreuneurial ventures from opening a McDonald's franchise, to reproducing antique furniture, she settled on fashion after a buyer at Bloomingdale's suggested she lengthen some peasant blouses sent to her from her native Philippines. The altered garments were sold as nightshirts.[4]
The Natori Company Today
The company celebrated its 30th anniversary in November, 2007, with a dinner that was attended by CEO's and top executives of the company's main upscale vendors, including Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale's.[1] Natori has expanded its product offerings, and in May 2008, signed a global fragrance licensing deal with Parlux Fragrances. The perfume is set to debut in the US in September, 2009, with international distribution to follow.[2] The company also launched Natorious, a new ready-to-wear line in the fall of 2008, expanding the company's apparel footprint beyond its traditional lingerie, loungewear, sleepwear, and underwear.
References
- ^ a b "Natori celebrates 30 years at breakneck pace.". New York Sun. http://www2.nysun.com/business/natori-celebrates-30-years-at-breakneck-pace/. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ a b "Parlux Fragrances, Inc. Partners with The Natori Company to Launch Luxurious New Fragrance". MarketWire. http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=852741. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "The Ellis Island 2007 Family Heritage Awards - 2007 Recipients". The Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation. http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/2007_recipients.asp. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
- ^ "Josie Natori Turns Dressing Inside Out". Time. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1664382,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
