Natori Inside

Our Favorite Ice Skating Spots in NYC

Josie Natori — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:08:09 +0000

With the latest snowfall and chilly temperatures in New York City, we’re getting into the winter spirit. What better way to enjoy the cold weather than grabbing some friends and hitting the ice rink! Here are a few of our favorite skating spots in NYC:

Trump Wollman Rink: Enjoy the picturesque scenery of this famous 33,000 square foot venue at the south eastern end of Central Park. With the beautiful backdrop of sky high buildings peaking over the park trees, you’ll feel like you’re in a scene straight out of Love Story! Admission for adults is $10.75 during the week and $16 on the weekend and skate rentals cost $6.75.

The Standard Ice Skating Rink: Head to the west side to check out the 3,000 square foot rink under the high line at the trendy Standard Hotel. Break for a bite at the Kaffeehaus food stand selling delicious crepes, rich hot chocolate, warm apple cider, and more yummy treats! Admission is $12 and $3 for a skate rental.

Skating in the Sky: Skate among the panoramic views of New York City at the intimate 400 square foot rink located on the fifth floor terrace of the W Hotel Downtown. And don’t forget to indulge in some signature cocktails like the hot chocolate martini at the rink side ice bar! Admission is $12 and includes skate rentals and W hand-warmers.

Ringing in The New Year

Josie Natori — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:00:54 +0000

This year I will be in Manila whooping it up with my 87 and 92 year old parents and my husband Ken! We also have friends from Tokyo visiting and cooking on New Years day, which is the Japanese tradition. I will for sure watch the ball drop at Times Square 12 hours later! Happy New Year!

All Made Up for the Holidays

Josie Natori — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:36:37 +0000

Hair stylist Helik Torres and make-up artist David Kalahiki dish on the beauty tips and tricks that will get you through the hectic holiday season:

What’s one product that will really come in handy for all the upcoming holiday parties?
Dry Shampoo by Oscar Blandi. It can leave you looking like you just got a blow out!

On the go touch-ups are unavoidable with all the parties and running around during the holiday season, what essentials should we always keep on hand?
Cle De Peau Concealer works wonders; Always bring your lip color of choice along with you, bright pink lips are a hot party look this season; Mascara is a must, my favorite is L’Oreal Voluminous.

Every woman is constantly striving for that natural glow, how can we make it happen?
Try Benefit Erase Paste, a brightening camouflage for eyes and face. I also use the Sensual Skin Enhance by Kevyn Aucoin that creates a clean and fresh foundation for every look.

What’s your advice for those trying step outside the box and change up their look? Don’t be afraid to use eye color this season. Icy blues and colorful smoky eyes are all the rage.

After it’s all on, how do I get it off before bed?
Lancome Effacil Eye Make-up Remover is great for that hard to wash off mascara and I find that Ponds make-up removers are usually the most effective.

Extra insider tip: Cut your make-up costs by using a q-tip instead of a smudge brush. It works just as well!

Bloomingdales Launches Natori Home Accents

Josie Natori — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:34:57 +0000

This week, the first Natori Home Accents collection launched at Bloomingdales 59th Street in New York. Just in time for the holiday season, the line offers an array of gift-worthy products such as lacquer trays and boxes, candelabras, tableware and intricate metal frames. The collection carries the signature Natori East-meets-West aesthetic with dragon motifs, artisan designs and a sensual palette of color and texture. “Inspired by my passion for uniqueness, each piece in our Home Collection is handcrafted to be a personal treasure,” says Josie Natori. The collection is also available on Bloomingdales.com.

Natori Swim Makes a Splash at Saks Fifth Avenue

Josie Natori — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:19:38 +0000

Natori’s first swim collection is now available in Saks Fifth Avenue stores. This new swim line features the signature prints, intricate embellishments and impeccable fit that Natori is known for. Designed to mix and match, with cup sized styles, bikinis, tankinis, one-pieces and cover-ups, Natori Swimwear allows women to find the best combinations to flatter every shape.

Josie Chats About Christmas

Josie Natori — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:37:33 +0000

What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
The best Christmas gift given to me was a calendar with monthly pictures of my grandson Cruzzie plus a whole album of Cruzzie pictures on his first year…all lovingly designed and crafted by Anika! Plus little wallet Cruzzie pictures I can carry around with me!

What’s your favorite holiday memory?
I have so many memorable holiday experiences… The most recent one was the first Christmas with our grandson. We had our home lavishly decorated by our good friend David Monn (the very best!) and we had Santa Claus come for a family photo!

What do you like to wear on Christmas Eve?
I like to wear something warm and cozy, like cashmere, but glamorous as well, maybe a fur jacket and pants as we go to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

What do you like to wear on Christmas morning?
On Christmas morning I usually like to wear leggings and a cashmere tunic that is festive.

Where are you shopping this season for your holiday gifts?
I am shopping Natori all the way for our gifts, especially the new collection of decorative home accents: trays, picture frames, and candelabras!

Natori Boutiques Open in Manila

Josie Natori — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:16:43 +0000

The opening of two new Natori boutiques at Rustan’s in Manila (like we did at Saks) was a thrill for me personally. Although the boutique was meant primarily for lingerie, we decided to have a trunk show of our ready-to-wear and our couture caftans to test the waters! Bingo—the ladies scooped up all the caftans plus they begged to buy the ready-to-wear samples for weddings and parties they would attend the same week. I could not help but indulge everyone to what they wanted plus so many special orders! Manila women love love to shop and love to dress up…my kind of lady!! And in addition they were scooping up the jewelry samples we had for the show as well!
Definitely no recession in Manila… I can’t wait to go back. I had a great time selling in this fabulous new boutique designed by my good friend Maja Olivares Co! Now, a new ready-to-wear boutique is slated to open in three months!!

-Josie

Rockefeller Center Lights Up

Josie Natori — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:38:00 +0000

Last night, November 30th, marked the 79th annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Drawing in a crowd of thousands, the towering Rockefeller Christmas tree was decorated with 30,000 lights spanning approximately 5 miles long! The ceremony featured live performances by Neil Diamond, Cee Lo Green and Carol King with pre-recorded performances by Justin Bieber and Tony Bennett. We love seeing this holiday cheer bring thousands together every year in NYC!

Thanksgiving in Manila

Josie Natori — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:28:02 +0000

We are sad not be with our son, Kenneth, daughter-in-law Anika and our adorable grandson Cruzzie for Thanksgiving… 12,000 miles away in Manila, my husband Ken and I will try to simulate the holiday (even though it doesn’t exist here) with my family. We are cooking turkey as well as duck and poached salmon. Luckily we found a gourmet store that is one of the few places to have turkey and brussel sprouts! It will be different, but in a way it is wonderful to be with my 92 year old father who has survived a difficult year of battling pneumonia and my 87 year old mother who is as energetic as a 60 year old!

-Josie

Fantasy Evening

Josie Natori — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:21:53 +0000

I had the most amazing celebration party last night to launch our fall collections in the brand new Natori boutique in Manila at Rustans. The setting was the very exotic and sexy Salon de Ning at the Peninsula Hotel with 30 beautiful models in 5 vignette presentations of the richest couture caftans and robes, long ready-to-wear evening gowns, and pajama dressing at its coolest (Design Director David Leung styled them with 12 inch obi belts… so cool!). The best of Manila society and press were there. It was such a gratifying evening. Thanks to the team at Natori that made this event possible and a special thanks to David Leung for styling the most memorable Natori presentation ever! I was so thrilled and proud!

-Josie