After a 37-year career at The Estée Lauder Companies, Karyn Khoury, Senior Vice President, Corporate Fragrance Development Worldwide, has announced her retirement, effective November 1, 2018.

In her most recent role as Senior Advisor, Creative and Strategic Development, Corporate Fragrance, Karyn has been responsible for creative fragrance development and strategic input for Tom Ford Beauty and AERIN Beauty, as well as innovative and critical guidance for Jo Malone London Product Development and brand teams. As previously announced, Helen Murphy, Vice President, Corporate Fragrance Development Worldwide, has taken over responsibility for fragrance and bath/body development for Estée Lauder, Tory Burch, and M∙A∙C, as well as bath/body development for Tom Ford Beauty and AERIN Beauty, reporting to Carl Haney, Executive Vice President, Global R&D, Corporate Innovation, Package Development. Celine Roux, Vice President, Global Product Development, Jo Malone London, continues her full responsibility for fragrance, bath/body and home development for Jo Malone London, and will now report to me. The succession plan for Karyn’s remaining responsibilities for AERIN and Tom Ford will be announced at a later date.

Karyn started at Lauder in 1981 as Assistant Product Manager, Fragrance Development, Aramis and Estée Lauder. Shortly after, she began working with Mrs. Estée Lauder on new fragrance creations and products, and since then, Karyn has been the creative force behind some of Lauder’s most successful fragrance franchises including Pleasures, Bronze Goddess and Modern Muse from Estée Lauder; Clinique Happy; DKNY Be Delicious; Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Boy and Tommy Girl; and Tory Burch. During her tenure, Karyn also worked closely with Mrs. Evelyn H. Lauder and Mr. Leonard A. Lauder on the development of many iconic franchises. After holding various roles of increasing scope, Karyn was appointed Senior Vice President, Corporate Fragrance Development Worldwide in 1988.

A recognized fragrance brand conceptualizer and builder, Karyn has been an integral partner in developing the fragrance philosophies and creations for numerous new additions to Lauder’s fragrance portfolio, most notably AERIN Beauty and Tom Ford Beauty. Karyn worked with Aerin Lauder to create AERIN Beauty’s Collection and Premier fragrance architecture and the highly successful fragrances including Amber Musk, Mediterranean Honeysuckle and Rose de Grasse. In partnership with Tom Ford and John Demsey, Karyn has played a significant creative and strategic role within the Tom Ford brand since its inception, leading development of the brand’s coveted fragrance launches, including Black Orchid, Noir and the Private Blend collection, which have been recognized with 23 U.S. and U.K. Fragrance Foundation FIFI awards since the brand’s launch. Tom Ford commented, “I have worked closely with Karyn since I began Tom Ford Beauty 12 years ago. She is one of the greatest talents in the industry that I know and also a truly spectacular human being and a great friend. I will miss her terribly.”

In the words of Leonard A. Lauder, “From the moment she joined Estée Lauder, Karyn has had an incredible impact on our brands and our company. Karyn was one of Evelyn and Mrs. Estee Lauder’s most-trusted collaborators and she is one of my most treasured colleagues. Her creativity, talent and love of what she does is unparalleled, and it has meant so much to me personally and to so many at the company. Karyn, we love, love, love you!”