The Fragrance Foundation celebrated the year’s outstanding fragrance industry achievements with exuberant style and elegance, at its annual awards ceremony at The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, June 15. Jerry Vittoria, chairman, The Fragrance Foundation, and president, Fine Fragrance Worldwide, DSM-Firmenich, welcomed guests to the gala event, a “celebration of the exciting and creative industry that we are all part of,” said Vittoria. He emphasized the work of The Fragrance Foundation, particularly regarding its serious attention to breaking barriers for people of all backgrounds. He said the greatest accomplishment of The Fragrance Foundation’s Fragrance Forward initiative (#FragranceForwardTFF) has been making Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts within the fragrance industry an integral part of the conversation.

Vittoria highlighted the great strides fragrance industry members are making in their efforts to become more sustainable; acknowledging consumer concerns and investment in brands that align with sustainable values, and the efforts by many fragrance industry members to create sustainably-sourced scents, as well as provide ingredient transparency.

Reflecting on the spirit and evolution of The Fragrance Foundation, President Linda G. Levy, thanked supporters, the 900 individuals in attendance, and noted the 50-year anniversary of the Awards ceremony.

“It began with President Emeritus Annette Green, who this year turned ninety-nine years old,” said Levy, as she noted Green’s urging to “get to work” on the business of fragrance. Levy announced that winners would be celebrated in 14 categories, with special honors going to Hall of Fame recipient, Nicolas Hieronimus, L’Oréal Chief Executive Officer, and Anne Flipo, Lifetime Achievement Perfumer, Master Perfumer, IFF; and noted that Flipo had created a special fragrance that filled the venue for the evening’s celebration, a blend of ivy, basil, mint, tomato, moss and Lily of the Valley, called Le Jardin de Saint Josse.

Levy thanked artist and filmmaker, Louie Schwartzberg, with whom The Fragrance Foundation collaborated, to bring the evening’s screen projections to life throughout the ceremony; and acknowledged the Catalyst Initiative partnership with the Urban League, which is being steered by The Fragrance Foundation’s DEI Committee and members, to focus on engaging, attracting, recruiting, retaining and celebrating diverse talent. The launch is scheduled for Fall 2023, and in conjunction with the New York Urban League Diversity & Inclusion Lab, will offer a schedule of activities that are fragrance community exclusive, as well as others that will join with New York Urban League partners.

Honorees and Presenters at the 2023 Fragrance Foundation Awards

Presenters of the evening included Wes Gordon, creative director, Carolina Herrera, who shared that “fragrance is the ultimate fashion accessory,” as he presented the Universal Luxury Fragrance of the Year to Gucci, The Alchemist’s Garden Tears From the Moon Eau de Parfum; Jason Wu, chief creative director and Founder of Jason Wu, and actress Diane Kruger, presented Women’s Luxury Winner to Chanel, Gabrielle Chanel Parfum Spray; Francisco Costa, Founder of Costa Brazil, and indigenous Brazilian activist and model, Zaya Guarani, shared their mutual respect for the natural resources of the Amazon. Costa, who had shared burning resin of the Amazon when he first met Linda G. Levy, spoke of his appreciation of the variety and riches of the Amazon.

Gratefully acknowledging its natural resources, in particular its fragrances, Zaya Guarani said, “What we honor is life itself.”

Costa presented Men’s Luxury and Men’s Prestige winners to Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum, and Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Givrée Eau de Parfum, respectively, saying, “Fragrance should be the first to enter a room, and the last to leave.”

Misty Copeland, ballerina, author and star and producer of her new film, “Flower,” which focuses on dance and art to shine a light on social issues, presented Fragrance of the Year-Popular, to Laura Slatkin, Nest New York, for Golden Nectar Eau de Parfum; Designer, Vera Wang, presented the Media Campaign of the Year Award to winner, Paco Rabanne Invictus, Puig; Tai Beauchamp, co-founder and chief brand officer, and Malaika Jones, chief executive officer, Brown Girl Jane, presented the Consumer Choice Candle & Home Collection Award to Nest New York Himalayan Salt & Rosewater; Carlos Huber, fragrance developer, architect and creator of Arquiste Parfumeur, whose transportive fragrances rekindle memories, introduced the Consumer Choice Men’s & Universal Winner, Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Parfum; and fashion designer, Sergio Hudson with actress and singer, Keke Palmer, presented the Consumer Choice Women’s Prestige honor to Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum.

Actress, Cate Blanchett, presented the Hall of Fame Award to Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oréal. Blanchett noted that as a representative of Sì Perfume, by Giorgio Armani for a decade, she was honored to introduce Nicolas Hieronimus, as he was inaugurated into The Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame, citing his creativity in introducing such fragrances as Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium, Lancôme’s La Vie Est Belle, and Sí, by Giorgio Armani.

Quoting Martha Graham, Blanchett said, “’There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action; and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost…It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.’ Nicolas brings this expression into action,” said Blanchett.

Acknowledging her role as a conductor in the film, Tár, Blanchett said, “Nicolas is the conductor and we bring the notes together like a symphony; and to bring safety, quality, and transparency you need a good conductor to keep the rhythm. I might have played a conductor on film, but it is an honor to present this award to a genuine conductor.”

“Fragrance is the memory of the soul,” said Hieronimus, alluding to Marcel Proust, whose Proust Effect revealed how smell and taste have the ability to trigger vivid memories. He said he was delighted to join The Fragrance Foundation Hall of Fame, noting, “Perfumery has always been a source of fascination for me and I am inspired by the ability of fragrance to tell stories, evoke memories and stir emotions.”

He called on all in the audience in the face of regulatory threats, to mobilize with their trade associations to defend the art of creative perfumery, and to imagine an industry without essential materials with which to create perfume.

Luxury Packaging honors were awarded to Christian Louboutin Beauty Loubimar, Puig & Christian Louboutin, and Prestige/Popular Packaging of the Year went to Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau, Puig; Media Campaign of the Year honors for Paco Rabanne Invictus were also among this year’s achievements by Puig. Amouage Opus XIV Royal Tobacco received the Indie Fragrance of the Year; and Innovative Fragrance Product of the Year went to Veronique Gabai Aroma Heart.

The final award of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Anne Flipo, Master Perfumer at IFF. A video tribute by numerous fragrance luminaries included a quote from Frédéric Malle, saying, “Anne Flipo knows how nature is made olfactively.”

Sabrya Meflah, president, fine fragrance, IFF, introduced Flipo noting, “Anne Flipo embeds happiness in her creations.”

In her acceptance, Flipo said, “Today I am receiving an award for doing something that gives me the most pleasure,” adding that the stories of unique emotions continue to impact her creativity, and perfume, emotion and joy are the essence of her work.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed dinner, a DJ set by Alexandra Richards, and the exuberant energy of fragrance winners, supporters, and celebrants. Honored to be with Puig, as they celebrated their achievements this year, including Media Campaign of the Year Winner, for Paco Rabanne Invictus; Luxury Packaging of the Year Winner, Christian Louboutin Beauty Loubimar; and Prestige/Popular Packaging of the Year Winner, Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau; as well as Fragrance of the Year Finalists for Fragrance of the Year Women’s Luxury, Dries Van Noten Sol Malaquais; Fragrance of the Year Finalist, Men’s Luxury, Dries Van Noten Rock the Myrrh; and Fragrance of the Year Finalist, Men’s Prestige, Carolina Herrera Bad Boy Cobalt.

Linda G. Levy concluded the festivities saying, “Tonight, we celebrated The Fragrance Foundation Awards in a magnificent way, but what has affected this signature event, and what I am most proud of, is the diversity of people and creations we are celebrating.”


The complete list of honorees and winners follows below:

Lifetime Achievement Perfumer Award

Anne Flipo, Master Perfumer at IFF

Hall of Fame Award

Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oréal

Fragrance of the Year, Universal — Luxury

Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden Tears From The Moon Eau de Parfum

Fragrance of the Year, Universal — Prestige

Maison Margiela Replica When The Rain Stops

Fragrance of the Year, Women’s — Luxury

Chanel Gabrielle Chanel Parfum Spray

Fragrance of the Year, Women’s — Prestige

Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum

Fragrance of the Year, Men’s — Luxury

Tom Ford Noir Extreme Parfum

Fragrance of the Year, Men’s — Prestige

Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Givrée Eau de Parfum

Fragrance of the Year — Popular

Nest New York Golden Nectar Eau de Parfum

Perfume Extraordinaire of the Year

BDK Parfums Gris Charnel Extrait de Parfum

Fragrance Editorial of the Year — Print or Digital

Town & Country: “Why Fragrances with Green Notes Are Going to Be Everywhere in 2023” by April Long

Packaging of the Year — Luxury

Christian Louboutin Beauty Loubimar

Packaging of the Year — Prestige/Popular

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau

Indie Fragrance of the Year

Amouage Opus XIV Royal Tobacco

Fragrance Innovative Product of the Year

Veronique Gabai Aroma Heart

Media Campaign of the Year

Paco Rabanne Invictus

Fragrance Hall of Fame

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum

Consumer Choice — Candle & Home Collection of the Year

Nest New York Himalayan Salt & Rosewater

Consumer Choice — Men’s & Universal

Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Parfum

Consumer Choice — Women’s Prestige

Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum

Consumer Choice — Women’s Popular

Billie Eilish Eilish No. 2