Stephanie Hakes
Stephanie Hakes carries fragrance in her blood. As a fifth-generation member of the Ungerer family, she grew up surrounded by aromatic compounds and the meticulous craft of scent creation. Today, she holds the title of Vice President of Perfumery at Ungerer & Company, one of America's oldest continuously operating fragrance houses, headquartered in Lincoln Park. Her role extends beyond traditional perfumery into the intriguing world of brand licensing, most notably when she led the team that recreated the unmistakable scent of KFC fried chicken for Yum! Brands. Hakes approaches her work with the confidence of someone who understands that great fragrance is equal parts chemistry and intuition. Her portfolio spans from fine fragrance collaborations with brands like Michael Malul London to functional scents that live in unexpected places. She represents a new generation of perfumers who bridge the heritage of family craftsmanship with contemporary市场需求.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Stephanie composes
Hakes demonstrates versatility across fragrance categories, moving fluidly between commercial licensing work and fine fragrance composition. Her fine fragrance work shows comfort with modern aromatic structures, including aldehydic compositions and fruity-fresh combinations. The 2025 launch of Cartoonist for Michael Malul London displayed her command of bright top notes paired with sophisticated heart compositions. Her functional work reveals a different skill set: the ability to capture and recreate real-world scents with remarkable accuracy while maintaining olfactory appeal. She favors clean, well-defined accords that communicate clearly.
Philosophy
What drives Stephanie
Hakes operates with the understanding that every scent tells a story. Whether she's crafting a luxury fine fragrance or recreating a beloved fast-food aroma, she focuses on emotional authenticity. She believes fragrance should transport people, spark memory, and create connection. Her process involves deep research into how a brand or product makes people feel, then translating that emotional core into olfactory form. She has spoken about the unique challenge of functional fragrances, noting that recreating familiar scents requires both scientific precision and creative sensitivity.
The houses