JOSIE NATORI, née Almeda Cruz, once had her eyes set on the stage, to be a successful concert pianist. Fate took her to a different field, which led to her becoming one of New York’s most successful bankers. Even that was not enough, and Ms.
Natori, in the 1970s, decided to clothe the world’s wealthy during their most private moments through her line of luxury loungewear. At a show at the Grand Hyatt’s Garden Pavilion on Nov. 14, Ms.
Natori “relaunched” twice: her Fall/Winter 2024 line had been launched in New York back in February (the show merely signaled the items’ availability in stores), but more importantly, the show is a reimagining of her 1984 “Natori State of Mind” campaign. In the Philippines, Natori is carried in Rustan’s department stores. The show was held in a lavish set done up in red, with a dragon as the backdrop.
It opened with a performance, dancers clothed in Natori sarongs. What we saw on the runway included luxurious batik-like patterns with jewel tones, dragons on pajama sets, prints of peonies on white silk, and rich red caftans. A second part, this time opened by a dance with lamps, showed more abstract Impressionist prints on pastel pinks, on items like shirtdresses and soft suits.
A black skirt and sweater set with prints of blue hydrangeas evoked midnight, and for this line, blues were everywhere, looking like shadows: especially enviable was a black pajama set with a robe of black with white embroidery. Giant opaque fans opened.
