Joséphine Catapano

Joséphine Catapano (December 29, 1918 – May 14, 2012) was an American perfumer.

Biography Joséphine Catapano studied at Hunter High School and Hunter College before starting a career in the perfume industry. In 1953, she created Estée Lauder's first fragrance and perennial best-seller, Youth Dew, a bath oil that also functioned as a perfume.

Catapano is cited as a mentor and influence to Sophia Grosjman. She worked as an executive at International Flavors and Fragrances.

Awards and recognition Catapano received the Cosmetic Career Women's Award in 1980. In 1993, Catapano received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Perfumers.

Creations

Estée Lauder Youth-Dew (1953) —Perfumer and author Victoria Belim notes that many sources name Shiftan as a co-creator of Estee Lauder's Youth-Dew and White Linen but that this is incorrect: Shiftan was a vice-president at IFF, so he name was automatically attached to fragrances created at that time.

Shiseido Zen (1964)

Guy Laroche Fidji (1966)

Norell Norell (1968)

Estée Lauder Cinnabar (1978) (with Bernard Chant)

Aramis JHL (1982) (with Bernard Chant)

Personal life She died on May 14, 2012.