For several decades, Josie Cruz Natori has designed, luxurious, gorgeous loungewear, lingerie and accessories. She even has a line of eye glasses. But now Natori isn’t just what you see, it’s a scent, too. Natori, the new fragrance that bears her name, launched on August 17th.
The Fragrance:
It is lovely, distinctive, impressive. Like her lingerie designs, the fragrance balances the graceful, sensual allure of the East and the modern elegance of the West. It is sensual, flowing, seductive, but not so much that you can’t wear it as an everyday scent. It is a peppy, spicy floral. I’d normally categorize it as a “floriental,” but Natori isn’t quite that. In a classic floriental, the flowers trump the spice. In Natori, there’s balance and harmony. The spice blends beautifully, so it’s the sensual spices that you really enjoy the most, but without going overboard with heaviness.
As Josie Natori explains, “For me, this fragrance is a journey like no other: the essence evolves fromthe body to the soul of a woman. A sophisticated woman’s life flows between fantasy and reality yet her fragrancebalances her heart – becoming the essence of happiness, wholeness and freedom.”
The top notes are sparkling aldehydes, rose petals, and dark plum with a heart of ylang ylang, purple peony and night blooming jasmine. The bottom is where the action is: Black patchouli, mysterious amber and satin musk accord. Natori, to my nose, is evocative of the classic French fragrances of the 20’s and 30’s. They were a bit spicy, a bit daring, but totally feminine. Like them, Natori is meant to be noticed. Wear it with a lighter touch for daytime, and with a heavier one for a special occasion or a hot date. The sophisticated scent is unforgettable. It’s going to be a must-have on every fragrance lover’s list!
Presentation:
The bottle is a deep, ripe plum — beautiful to look at and to pick up and hold in your hand. It’s design is inspired by the Lotus blossom – specifically the sensual silhouette of slowly unfolding petals. Imbedded into the shiny, violet-black glass is a small clear window that lets you glimpse into the golden heart of the fragrance. The color was chosen for it’s yin/yang of cool blue and fire red. This is not a shrinking violet!
The bottle feels cool, like your own, personal talisman, in your hand. The cap reminds me of a smooth river stone, so popular in Japanese Ikebana. The other items in the collection also look curvy and yet, modern and minimalist. There’s a large candle that arrives in a big, square box with “river stone” top, and a body creme and shower creme in curvy bottles with curved matte black tops. These all just look so chic and cool, you will definitely display them. Natori may easily become your next, signature scent. It’s just that good.
The collection includes 3.4 fl. oz and 1.7 fl. oz Eau de parfum at $110.00 and $80.00, plus a 5 oz body creme $75.00; a silk shower creme $50.00 8 oz. and a perfumed candle $75.00 6.35 oz.
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