Harry Slatkin

Harry Slatkin (born August 14, 1960) is an American businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

The New York Times called him the "king" of home fragrance[1] and celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Elton John use his home fragrances.[2] As the founder and creative force behind Slatkin & Co, a home fragrance brand, Slatkin is regarded as one of the country's fragrance experts.[3]

A former Bear Stearns director, he created Slatkin & Co in 1992.[4] Launched at Saks Fifth Avenue, the brand was picked up by specialty retailers and international stores. Fans of the brand included Martha Stewart, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Elton John, the Christian Dior company, flocked to Slatkin to create home fragrance collections.[5] In 2005, retailer Les Wexner purchased Slatkin & Co. for L Brands.[6] He named Slatkin President of Home Design for Limited Brands as well as President of Slatkin & Co.

Slatkin is a contributing editor at Elle Décor magazine and appears regularly on QVC.[7] He has made guest appearances on networks and shows including CNN, The Martha Stewart Show,[8] Extra TV, E! News, CNBC, ABC[9] and Comedy Central.

In May 2006, Slatkin appeared in Autism Speaks' film Autism Every Day, in which he declared that he had deliberately left a pool on his property uncovered in the hope that his autistic son David would fall into it and drown. He declared he had "spoken to many families who say, 'We all share that hidden, dark thought.'" Later that same month, Slatkin repeated his statement in an edition of Town and Country, posting a copy of the article on his organization's website.[10]

In June 2011, Slatkin, with Tommy Hilfiger and the Labelux Group, acquired Belstaff, a British outerwear brand.[11] Slatkin assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer.[12][11] In 2014 he sold his shares back to Labelux.

Slatkin is the current owner and CEO of HomeWorx, Scentworx, and Slatkin & Co home fragrance and bath and body brands.[13]

Slatkin and his wife serve on the boards of various non-profit organizations including Autism Speaks,[14][13] Henry Street Settlement House,[15] and NEXT for Autism,[13] which Slatkin and his wife founded and then built the first charter school for autism in New York State.[16] The Slatkins also partnered with Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons to open the Center For Autism and the Developing Brain.[17]