From the streets of New York City to the fragrant corridors of Atlanta’s West Midtown comes Chris Davis or as he is commonly known, “Chris Classic”. The founder of Savoir Faire Fragrances and curator of the Black Nose Lab, Davis has transformed himself from a church-going rapper to a pioneering force in the Black-owned perfume industry.
Born in Hempstead, New York, and raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household, Davis’s early life was marked by strict religious boundaries that inadvertently fueled his creative pursuits.
Davis described his childhood as “Growing up totally sheltered from the world.” He created an environment where restriction bred innovation. This dynamic would later influence his approach to both music and entrepreneurship.
A pivotal moment in his life came when a teenage Davis found himself under the wing of his aunt Justine and her husband, Reverend Run of Run DMC. Living with the hip-hop legend from ages 16 to 20 proved transformative, allowing him to reconcile his faith with his passion for music.
“Through him, I was able to see that hip-hop wasn’t something that was against God,” Davis said. “You could still love what you do and still worship God in your creativity.”
His musical journey led him to Jam Master Jay’s studio, where he earned his moniker.
“I used to go to his studio to record, but only on Sundays after church,” Davis said.
His formal attire in Jamaica Queens’ casual environment caught Jay’s attention, leading to the name that would stick: Chris Classic.
The trajectory of his music career took an unexpected turn following Jam Master Jay’s tragic death in 2002. A pending deal with Virgin Records dissolved, leading Davis to pivot toward music production for film and television. Over the next 19 years, his work would feature in major productions including Transformers, Fantastic Four, and the entire Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, accumulating over 300 sync licenses.
A legal dispute with a studio in 2015 forced Davis to reimagine his path once again. Accepting an invitation from his then-girlfriend (now wife) Ryanne, he relocated to Atlanta in June 2016. This move, though initially viewed as temporary, would become the foundation for his next venture into the fragrance industry.
The inception of Savoir Faire Fragrances emerged from Davis’s experimental sessions at The Gathering Spot, where he spent nine months developing scents while mentoring an aspiring entrepreneur. The brand launched on Black Friday 2017, with Davis serving as both founder and principal perfumer. The name “Savoir Faire,” meaning “to know how to do” in French, reflects Davis’s philosophy that fragrance should speak for the wearer’s taste and sophistication.
Now with 12 different fragrances with a plan of releasing two new ones in 2025. Davis’s latest venture, the Black Nose Lab, represents a culmination of his entrepreneurial vision and community-building ethos. Opening on February 1, 2025, during Black Fragrance Week this unique space located in West Midtown houses over 20 different Black-owned fragrance brands, creating a centralized location for customers to experience these artisanal scents.
“ I have no place in Houston, (or any other major city) that you can just go and try my fragrances,” Davis said.
Beyond fragrance, Davis’s influence extends to fashion through his iconic crown logo, inspired by Basquiat and representing accountability rather than arrogance. This symbol gained significant attention in 2018 when his response to the infamous H&M controversy depicting a young Black model with a green hoodie displaying the text, “Coolest Monkey in the jungle” went viral, leading to increased recognition for his brand.
“I literally took the crown that was in the IG emoji. I took my finger and drew highlighted stripes to make it almost like wings, and I put my Savoir Faire crown on the cover of the boy’s hoodie and I posted it, and then LeBron posted it, and then the world posted it, and H&M stock dropped 33% that week. They learned a valuable lesson,” Davis said.
Today, Davis balances his roles as entrepreneur, perfumer, and father of three, Julian (21), Omar (17) , and Zhuri (6) while maintaining his creative spirit. His workspace in Atlanta’s West Midtown serves as both factory and showroom, embodying his vision for an approachable luxury brand that champions Black excellence in perfumery.
As the Black fragrance community expands, Davis remains dedicated to uplifting fellow creators while solidifying his pioneering role. Through the Black Nose Lab, Davis is not just selling scents he aims to build a lush aroma of legacy.
The Black Nose Lab is located at 644 Antone St NW Suite 1 Atlanta, GA 30318. Showroom hours vary, visit www.savoirfaire.store
