Stephen Nilsen

About

Stephen Nilsen is an American perfumer and chemical engineer based in the New York fine fragrance division of Givaudan, where he serves as a Senior/VP Perfumer. He first studied chemical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, then completed a PhD in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. Nilsen began his career in 1996 at Procter & Gamble as a senior flavorist, where he trained in taste and aroma before moving into perfumery. In 2001 he started formal perfumer training at Quest International in Manhattan, which was later acquired by Givaudan, and he has since created fragrances for brands such as Madonna, Hilary Duff, Vera Wang, Donna Karan, Flower by Drew Barrymore, and others. His credited perfumes include Madonna Truth or Dare, Madonna Truth or Dare Naked, Hilary Duff With Love, Vera Wang Lovestruck, Donna Karan DKNY Stories, and Flower Drew Barrymore Cherished.