Josie Natori Filipino fashion and accessories designer Date of Birth: 09.05.1947 Country: Philippines

Biography of Josie Natori

Josie Cruz Natori, a Filipino fashion designer, was born on May 9, 1947, in Manila, Philippines. She received her education at Manhattanville College in New York and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. After completing her studies, Natori pursued a career in her field and worked as a broker and later as an investment banker, eventually becoming the Vice President of Merrill Lynch in New York. She held this position until 1977 when she entered the world of fashion and design by founding her company, Natori.

Initially, Natori focused on creating women's lingerie, but in 1983, she expanded her line to include home clothing, followed by accessories and footwear in 1984. When designing her clothing collections, Josie Cruz Natori often incorporated traditional Filipino ornaments, which were embroidered onto the garments and lingerie. In 1987, she received the Harriet Alger Award, and in 1990, she was honored with the Girls' Clubs of America Award.

In 1991, Josie Cruz Natori introduced a collection of accessories and furniture for the bathroom and bedroom. She continued to gain recognition for her work and was awarded the Philippine Independence Ball Award in 1999. In 2000, Natori showcased her designs at the Asia Society's Philippine Style exhibition in New York.