Josie Natori 2009

Designer Josie Natori has just announced that she is launching a new fragrance, her first since 2009. Ms. Natori was a guest contributor for CaFleureBon and in Scent Memoires of our Mothers  she wrote “It's the scent memories of my grandmother that remain my inspiration.  She always wore a fresh flower on her dress, a Sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines (like jasmine), a rose or sometimes ylang, ylang, but what was magical was the way these sensual aromas blended with the classic fragrances she wore like Joy.  So I recall how wonderful it was when she came into the room and I could experience the essence of these fresh flowers”. Her new perfume brings these words to life.

Sampaguita Flower-Phillipines National Flower

According to WWD, “Her licensing partner in this venture is Luxe Brands, a company headed by chief executive officer Tony Bajaj, who bought the Jean Patou license from Procter & Gamble Co. and this spring launched Joy Forever". Josie Natori’s new perfume was developed by Noreen Dodge, (who heads the creative arm of Luxe Brands), she worked with perfumers Frank Voelkl (who has created many of Le Labo’s fragrances including best seller Santal 33 and Honorine Blanc of Firmenich who was the nose for Nirvana White for Elizabeth and James. The formula’s most striking element is Sampaguita, a light and pure form of jasmine that is the national flower of the Philippines. Considered a symbol of love, the ingredient forms a bouquet in the heart of the fragrance with freesia in radiating a feminine point of view, Dodge noted. The scent opens with a vibrant accord of Asian pear and dewy leaves. The structure is finished with sandalwood and white musk to leave a trail of sensuality”.

The eau de parfum will be available in two sizes, 1.7 oz. for $75 and 3.4 oz. for $95. A 0.25-oz. rollerball will be priced at $22. There also will be a 6.8-oz. body cream for $58 and a 6.75-oz. body lotion for $45. For holiday, a bento box set will be sold for $105 and a 3.4-oz. edp will be offered in a clutch for $95. The scent will initially be launched at Bloomingdale’s and Dillard’s. In the fall, HSN will be included. In 2015, the fragrance is expected to roll out to Japan and the Philippines. This summer, the Josie fragrance will be sold on a custom microsite on Natori’s Web site.

 

Source:WWD

–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief