As a child, Dang would sneak spritzes of fragrances from her mother’s dresser. A Vietnam War refugee, she emigrated with her family to Ventura, California in 1975. Upon graduating from USC, she accepted an editorial position at Women’s Wear Daily and W Magazine, where she now covered all the major fragrance launches for the fashion and beauty. In the early 2000s, while working as Beauty Director at In Style Magazine, Dang was introduced to Ron Winnegrad, director of the New York perfumery school at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) – one the largest fragrance oil houses in the world. He sensed her passion for all things olfactory and offered to teach her the art of perfumery. Fast-forward to December 2021, as the world finally emerged from COVID-19 lockdown: Dang and her husband and business partner Anthony Roberts – in collaboration with IFF — successfully launched VAN DANG Fragrances at Bergdorf Goodman.