This year's Fragrance Foundation awards ceremony, to be hosted by actress Sigourney Weaver, will be held on Wednesday, 9 June 2004 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in the Manhattan Center. A total of thirty FiFi Awards will be presented with several new awards added such as Retail Innovation of the Year and Interior Scent Collection of the Year. Oscar de la Renta is acting as Honorary Chairman of the 2004 FiFi Committee.
For the first time, fragrance consumers will also have an opportunity to cast their votes in three new "consumer's choice" awards sponsored by Cosmopolitan, CosmoGirl and Nordstrom. In addition, 2004 FiFi nominees appearing on the original ballot are eligible for awards in the packaging and advertising categories.
The innovations have been introduced by the relatively new president of the Fragrance Foundation Rochelle Bloom, who has been in post for about a year. Ms Bloom's strategy has included adding representatives of retailers to the board as well as the creating the new awards categories relating to retailers and consumers. She aims to broaden the foundation's appeal from its manufacturer base and make it more inclusive of all aspects of the industry.
"This is an exciting new chapter in the Foundation's history," commented Rochelle Bloom, president of the Fragrance Foundation. "With the input of our members, the FiFi Awards are evolving to be more relevant for the consumer, reflect the changes in the market and continue to reward excellence in our industry.
The finalists for the fragrance of the year awards and best packaging awards are listed below. Other award categories include: editorial excellence in fragrance coverage (two awards, scent feature and scent bite); best bath and body products (prestige and popular); best advertising campaigns (print and television); technological breakthrough of the year; retail innovation of the year; interior scent collections (prestige and speciality); and fragrance hall of fame.
FRAGRANCE OF THE YEAR
Nouveau Niche (Specialty stores - under 250 doors)
Women'sChelsea Flowers-Bond No. 9 New York - Laurice & Co;Diane von Furstenberg "D" - Inter Parfums;ENJOY by Jean Patou Paris - Clarins Fragrance Group;FlowerByKenzo Le Parfum - Kenzo Parfums;narciso rodriguez for her - Beaute Prestige International
Men'sBaldessarini Hugo Boss - Clarins Fragrance GroupDunhill - Cosmopolitan CosmeticsPaul Smith Extreme for Men - Cosmopolitan Cosmetics/Inter ParfumsPurple Label - Ralph Lauren FragrancesRoberto Cavalli Man - ITF USAVetyver - Lanvin Paris
Luxe (Department & specialty stores - over 250 doors)
Women'sBeyond Paradise - Estee Lauder;Burberry Brit (women's) - Burberry Fragrances/Cosmopolitan Cosmetics;Ralph Lauren Blue - Ralph Lauren Fragrances;Sicily by Dolce & Gabbana - Euroitalia/Fragrances Exclusive;Stella by Stella McCartney - Stella McCartney Parfums/YSL Beaute
Men'sAramis Life - Aramis & Designer Fragrances;Black- Kenneth Cole - Lancaster Group;Essenza di Zegna by Ermenegildo Zegna - YSL Beaute;Gucci Pour Homme - Cosmopolitan Cosmetics;Ocean Pacific for Men - Parlux Fragrances
Popular Appeal (Drug & chain stores)
Women's
Celine Dion Parfums - Coty Beauty US;Loving woman - Revelations Perfume & Cosmetics;Samba French Kiss Woman - The Perfumer's Workshop International;The Healing Garden Waters Intense (Perfect Calm Intense/Pure Joy; Intense/Sheer Passion Intense) - Coty Beauty US;Viva Samba Woman - The Perfumer's Workshop International
Men'sadidas Adrenaline Man - Coty Beauty US;Samba French Kiss Man - The Perfumer's Workshop International;Stetson Untamed - Coty Beauty US;Viva Samba Man - The Perfumer's Workshop International
Private Label/Direct Sell
Women's
Breathless - Victoria's Secret Beauty;Comme une Evidence Eau de Parfum - Yves Rocher North America;Lilu Fragrance for Girls-Pacific Sunwear - Revelations Perfume & Cosmetics;Pure Tiffany - Tiffany;Treselle - Avon Products
Men's
HisSTORY - Avon Products;Kirra Cologne for Guys-Pacific Sunwear - Revelations Perfume & Cosmetics;Very Sexy For Him2 - Victoria's Secret Beauty
BEST PACKAGING OF THE YEAR-PRESTIGE & POPULAR (MEN'S & WOMEN'S)
Prestige
Women's
Black Cashmere-The Perfume - Donna Karan Cosmetics;Commes des Garcons 2 - Puig Prestige Beauty;FlowerByKenzo Le Parfum - Kenzo Parfums;Gucci Eau de Parfum II - Cosmopolitan Cosmetics;narciso rodriguez for her - Beaute Prestige International
Men's
Black-Kenneth Cole - Lancaster Group;Dunhill - Cosmopolitan Cosmetics;Gucci Pour Homme - Cosmopolitan Cosmetics;Purple Label - Ralph Lauren Fragrances;Subtil pour Homme by Salvatore Ferragamo - Gary Farn
Popular Appeal
Women's
Illusion - Le Club des Createurs de Beaute (CCB-Paris);Loving woman - Revelations Perfume & Cosmetics;Pur Desir de Gardenia - Yves Rocher North America;Pur Desir de Lavande - Yves Rocher North America;Viva Samba Woman - The Perfumer's Workshop International
Men's
adidas Adrenaline Man - Coty Beauty US;HisSTORY - Avon Products;Samba French Kiss Man - The Perfumer's Workshop International;Stetson Untamed - Coty Beauty US;Viva Samba Man - The Perfumer's Workshop International