Josephine Catapano

Joséphine Catapano was an American perfumer born on December 29, 1918, and who died on May 14, 2012. She studied at Hunter High School and Hunter College before starting her career in the fragrance 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 creating complex, long-lasting fragrances. She mentored and influenced other perfumers in the industry, including Sophia Grosjman. Throughout her career, Catapano received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the fragrance 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 fragrance industry continues to inspire and influence many perfumers today.