REPLAY THE EVENT NOW!

event recap by April Long:

“We are here to celebrate the most inspiring and innovative fragrance launches of 2020, a year in which—I don’t need to tell you—our industry faced some of its most severe challenges ever,” Jerry Vittoria, Chairman of the Fragrance Foundation and President, Global Fine Fragrance at Firmenich, said in his opening remarks for yesterday’s Fragrance Foundation live webinar announcing the 2021 Awards Finalists. Yet while acknowledging the unique circumstances of the past year, the event that followed was one of optimism and celebration—proof positive of the vibrance and relevance of the fragrance world, which has become an even more powerful force for connection and joy in recent times.

Fragrance Foundation President Linda G. Levy outlined the Fragrance Foundation’s missions and objectives for 2021, including continuing to be “laser focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” while also setting up outreach to Fragrance Foundation alumni universities and expanding communication directly to consumers—something that the incredible success of 2021’s two-day Fragrance Day event demonstrated with more than 2,000 webinar viewers and a social media reach to 33 million on Instagram. ““We will continue to ask not what can the fragrance community do for the Fragrance Foundation,” Levy said, “but what can the Fragrance Foundation do for the fragrance world.” Christina Iwasko, TFF Senior Director, explained the nomination and voting process for the Awards as well as the Fragrance Foundation indie initiative which has brought more than 20 new members to the table—and then the real fun began.

Mario Lopez, of Access Hollywood and Saved by the Bell fame, took the reigns as the event’s special guest host, proving himself to be a true fragrance fanatic. Bringing his signature charm and energy to the proceedings, he announced the Finalists in the 22 Awards categories, while also sharing engaging insights into his love for scent. “If I don’t have it on, I feel naked,” he said, noting that he has always believed that “Not only should you look presentable, you should also smell good.” Among the exciting Finalists that were named in the hour-long webinar, which was watched by more than 1,000 viewers globally, Levy also revealed the 2021 honorees for Lifetime Achievement Perfumer and Hall of Fame. The Fragrance Foundation will honor Calice Becker, VP Perfumer and Director of the Givaudan Perfumery School with the Lifetime Achievement Perfumer Award, and Philippe Benacin, President and CEO Interparfums with the Hall of Fame Award at the 2021 Awards on June 10^th.

At the event’s conclusion, Levy declared Lopez to be a welcome new initiate to the fragrance community, telling him that once a member, always a member. “We will be in touch forever!” she promised. Lopez, naturally, was visibly delighted—knowing there is no better (or better-smelling) club to be a member of.

2021 Finalists: