Joséphine Catapano

Joséphine Catapano (1918–2012) was an American perfumer and one of the first widely recognised female “noses” in the industry. Born in Brooklyn, she studied at Hunter High School and Hunter College, initially working as a chemist in a hospital lab during World War II before discovering perfumery as the perfect way to merge science and creativity.

She spent much of her career at IFF, where she became an executive and composed several landmark fragrances, including Estée Lauder’s first blockbuster, Youth Dew, as well as Norell, Fidji and the original Shiseido Zen. Bold yet refined, her work helped usher in a new, sensual oriental style in American perfumery. A mentor to perfumers such as Sophia Grojsman, she received major honours including the Cosmetic Career Women’s Award (1980) and the American Society of Perfumers’ Lifetime Achievement Award (1993).

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