Sophia Grojsman was born in Belarus. She moved to the United States in 1965, and has been with International Flavors & Fragrances (she started as a lab technician) since 1966. Her early mentors were Ernest Shiftan and Josephine Catapano. She is now semi-retired.

Sophia Grojsman was given the Living Legend Award by the American Society of Perfumers in 1996, and the Achiever Award by Cosmetic Executive Women in 1994. In 2016, she was given the Perfumer of the Year Lifetime Achievement award by The Fragrance Foundation.

Perfumes by Sophia Grojsman

A Lab On Fire Rose Rebelle Respawn (2013)
Bill Blass Nude (1990)
Boucheron Jaipur (1994, with Jean Pierre Mary)
Bvlgari Pour Femme (1994, with Nathalie Lorson)
Calvin Klein Eternity (1988)
Celine Magic (with Alain Astori)
Christian LaCroix (shell bottle, 1999)
Coty Exclamation!
Elizabeth Arden True Love
Elizabeth Taylor Diamonds and Rubies
Estee Lauder Beautiful (1985)
Estee Lauder Spellbound (1991)
Estee Lauder White Linen (1978)
Frederic Malle Outrageous (2007)
Judith Muller Bathsheba
Kenzo Kashaya (1993)
Lagerfeld Sun Moon Stars
Lalique Parfum Lalique (1992)
Lancome Tresor (1990)
Lancome Tresor Sparkling (2007, with Alienor Massenet)
Laura Biagiotti Sotto Voce
Gloria Vanderbilt Vanderbilt
Michel Germain Immaculate (with Clement Gavarry)
Paloma Picasso Tentations (1996, with Max Gavarry)
Perry Ellis 360
Prescriptives Calyx (1986)
S-Perfume 100% Love
S-Perfume 100% Love {More} (2006)
Tova Free Spirit (2003)
Yves Rocher Neblina
Yves Saint Laurent Paris (1983)
Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne (2009, with Sophie Labbé)
Yves Saint Laurent Paris Premieres Roses (2003, with Dominique Ropion & Laurent Bruyere)
Yves Saint Laurent Yvresse (formerly Champagne, 1993)

Selected quotes

Perfumers have signatures. You can pick up a fragrance and know who the perfumer is by the way certain ingredients are put together. I'm known for floral accords, bottoms and cleavage. — Quoted in In the World of Fragrance, Reputations Rest on the Nose at the New York Times.

It used to be an art, now it's more of a business. Everybody wants an instant success. Fragrances are being tested by focus groups, which limits the likelihood of unusual scents emerging. — Via Women's Wear Daily, 9/4/1992.

Further reading

See all articles on Now Smell This tagged Sophia Grojsman.

Read an interview with Sophia Grojsman at Bois de Jasmin.

Note: image via Frederic Malle website.