Anne McClain
Anne Serrano-McClain is the nose and founder behind MCMC Fragrances, a small-batch, family-owned perfumery based in Brooklyn, New York. She studied at Brown University before discovering the evocative power of scent. Her path led her to study natural perfumery and aromatherapy before moving to Grasse, the legendary perfume capital of the world. There, she graduated with honors from the renowned Grasse Institute of Perfumery in 2009, an institution that accepts only about a dozen students each year. She launched her eponymous brand in 2004 and continues to operate from her studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, where she works alongside her sister Katie, mixing perfumes entirely by hand.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Anne composes
McClain's style draws from her deep study of natural materials and her grounding in classical Grasse technique. She favors botanical ingredients, informed by her background in aromatherapy before her formal perfumery education. Her work tends toward refined, natural compositions with a handcrafted quality that reflects her Brooklyn studio practice. The result is a collection of fragrances with an artisanal sensibility and genuine olfactory depth.
Philosophy
What drives Anne
McClain built her house on principles that set her apart from much of the fragrance industry. Where many enter the profession from marketing or sales roles, she trained as a classical perfumer before charting her own course. Her approach centers on storytelling through scent, creating fragrances that carry emotional weight and evoke specific memories. Working independently allows her to maintain full creative control, releasing small batches that prioritize authenticity over commercial appeal.
The houses