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, 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.
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 . 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. 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.
