Making Scents Out of the Good Life in Tenafly

“FRAGRANCE IS my world,” says perfumer and longtime Tenafly resident Steven Claisse, but spend a few minutes with him, and you’ll find Tenafly ranks just as high. “I’ve been here since 1994—it’s the best place I’ve ever lived.” Like many, Claisse moved to Tenafly to raise a family and be closer to work, but he found much more here.

His fragrance career began at 18 behind the Aramis counter at Bambergers. A friend tipped him off to an apprentice lab tech opening at Alpine Aromatics, which creates scents for personal care products. “I got the job, but didn’t know much. It paid $130 a week—I felt like a millionaire,” he says.

Under Chief Perfumer Emil Buongiorno, Claisse immersed himself in the world of fragrance. In his spare time, he collected scent samples and studied the craft. After six years, he earned the American Society of Perfumers’ Apprentice of the Year Award, which included a trip to Grasse, France, the heart of the perfume world.

While there, he met Edmond Roudnitska, creator of Dior’s Eau Sauvage and Diorissimo. “He was incredibly generous with his time. I wish I had kept that connection.”

Back in the U.S., Claisse’s boss nudged him toward his next chapter—Robertet, a fragrance and flavor company. In 1986, he and his wife Nicole relocated to Los Angeles, where he assumed the role of Director of Fragrance Development at Felton. “That’s where I honed my skills in perfumery and marketing.”

SCENTS OF BELONGING

“I’ve worked on everything from shampoo, candles and detergents to air fresheners. I love the challenge of translating fragrance across categories—what works as perfume, body wash or room spray,” he says. “We analyze market trends. What does Gen Z or Gen X want? A client might ask for a fruity body wash, and we build from there.”

Later, he joined Manheimer, a small fragrance division of a health company in Long Island City. As Executive VP, he helped grow it into one of the industry’s biggest names. The Claisses lived in Manalapan, New Jersey, but after the company moved to Teterboro, they relocated to Tenafly—where they’ve stayed ever since.

For the last 12 years, Claisse has worked at Takasago, a century-old Japanese fragrance and flavors company with offices in 26 countries. He has also twice served as the president of the American Society

of Perfumers.

“Did I tell you that we love Tenafly? My kids went to Tenafly Schools from middle school through high school. My daughter, Danielle, was a tennis champion. Her basketball team was inducted into the Tenafly High School hall of fame. My son, Zack, also played just about every sport,” Claisse exclaims. “The taxes are high, but it’s worth it!”

His wife taught at the Palisades Country Day School and Camp in Closter for 25 years. “Whatever I achieved pales by comparison. She influenced so many young minds. They still approach her when we’re out,” he says proudly.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

An avid golfer, Claisse joined the Montammy Country Club. Utilizing his business experience, he served on the Board for 14 years, including as president during the Great Recession. It was a tough time for the club: membership and revenue were down.

“I had a great board supporting me. We cut salaries, cut services and made some hard decisions, but we saved the club. We built $400,000 in reserves, members started returning and we stabilized the situation. The Wall Street Journal even covered it,” he says.

Unfortunately, due to several back surgeries, Claisse had to hang up his golf clubs. He had been the Club Champion seven years in a row. In appreciation, Montammy made him an honorary member for life. Now, his daughter continues the tradition, winning the club’s tennis championship four years in a row. During her last pregnancy, she was in training until two days before delivery. “A tough kid,” Claisse says proudly.

His son, Zack, is married and lives in New York City with his wife. His daughter Danielle has two children. She, her husband and the kids live in Alpine. Claisse and his wife are happy to be built-in babysitters. “It’s a gift to truly be such a big part of their lives,” Claisse says.

“Every day, I come home to my gorgeous house, my vacation from the rest of the world. The people here are so friendly and family-oriented.

We’re fortunate to have moved to a block like Forest Road. I remember when we were a young family and our kids played in the yards, now I see new kids playing in those same yards,” Claisse sums up. “We will be here forever.”

BY MICHAEL PILLA