Master Perfumer

Steven Claisse

Steven Claisse entered the perfume world at 18, stacking Aramis samples behind the counter of Bambergers in New Jersey. A chance tip led him to an apprentice lab tech role at Alpine, where he learned to translate raw materials into scent sketches. After a stint in Grasse’s classic houses, he joined Takasago in the early 1990s and rose to Vice President and Senior Perfumer. Over more than three decades he has shaped modern classics for Marc Jacobs, Gap and Revlon, earning a reputation for crisp, wearable compositions that balance streetwise energy with quiet elegance. Colleagues describe his studio as a place where curiosity meets discipline, and his latest projects hint at a fresh, nature‑driven chapter.

Active since 19761 house3 creations

See notable work

Output

Fragrances composed

Acclaim

3.5

Average rating

across the catalogue

Career

1976

First composition

The hits

Notable creations

View all

Clean

Warm Cotton [Reserve Blend]

The signature

How Steven composes

Claisse favors a clean‑cut structure: a bright top, a clear heart and a subtle dry‑down. Citrus, green leaves and light spices dominate his openings, while heart notes often feature soft florals or aromatic herbs. He resolves compositions with warm woods, ambergris or subtle musk, creating a finish that lingers without overwhelming. In the lab he mixes by weight, preferring small‑scale trials that let him feel texture and volatility. He frequently returns to classic ingredients—bergamot, cedar, vetiver—re‑imagining them with modern techniques that keep the scent feeling current yet timeless.

Philosophy

What drives Steven

Claisse treats each bottle as a memory you can hold. He starts with a scent that reminds him of a specific place—a pine forest after rain, the metallic scent of a subway platform, the soft skin of a well‑worn denim jacket. From that anchor he builds layers that speak to the body’s own chemistry, letting the wearer’s skin finish the story. He believes fragrance should be honest, not a mask, and that the best formulas reveal themselves over hours rather than shout on first spray. Sustainability guides his ingredient choices, and he often swaps synthetic accords for responsibly sourced naturals when they deliver the same precision.

The houses