Josephine Catapano

Joséphine Catapano was an American perfumer born on 29 December 1918 and who died on 14 May 2012. She studied at Hunter High School and Hunter College before starting her career in the perfume industry. Catapano worked as an executive at International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF). In 1953, Catapano created Estée Lauder’s first fragrance, Youth Dew, which became a perennial best-seller and helped establish the brand’s reputation. This fragrance was a bath oil that also worked as perfume. She also created other iconic fragrances, such as JHL and Guy Laroche Fidji. Catapano was known for balancing different fragrance notes and for creating complex, long-lasting fragrances. She was a mentor and influenced other perfumers in the industry, including Sophia Grosjman. Throughout her career, Catapano received numerous awards and honours for her contributions to the perfume industry. In 1980, she received the Cosmetic Career Women’s Award, and in 1993, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Perfumers. Joséphine Catapano’s legacy in the perfume industry continues to inspire and influence many perfumers today.