Last Thursday (15 May 2014), the Fragrance Foundation UK hosted their annual Fragrance Awards (formerly known as the FiFis). I had the pleasure of not only attending the event but also of presenting an award for one of the categories I had judged alongside my fellow Jasmine Award winners. Believe me when I say it was the most exhilarating and terrifying moment of my fragrance career, so far!
The evening was, as one would expect, a glitzy and glamorous affair hosted at The Brewery in the City of London. Guests were greeted with a champagne reception followed by a gala dinner (three courses of amazingness) with musical entertainment supplied by ex-Mis-Teeq chanteuse and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon. All-in-all, it was a lively evening with wonderful food, interesting company and lots of music – and this was all before we even got to the awards.
The awards were seamlessly hosted by journalist and television personality Natasha Kaplinsky, who served as a fabulous compère, bringing glamour, wit and professionalism to the proceedings. I presented the award for Best New Independent Fragrance, the winner of which was Byredo’s fantastic 1996. This was a very tough shortlist containing the like of Frederic Malle’s Dries van Noten and Penhaligon’s Vaara, so congratulations to Byredo for a well-deserved win.
A full list of the evening’s winners can be found below (links are to my own reviews either here or on Escentual):
Female Fragrance: Peony & Blush Suede by Jo Malone London
Male Fragrance: Burberry Brit Rhythm by Burberry
Judges: Richard E. Grant (Actor, Screen Writer & Director), Piers Bracher (Advertising Director), Howard Greenhaigh (Film Director & Music Video Director) and Jackie Tyson (Make Up Artist in TV, Film & Photography).
Female Fragrance: Chanel Nº5 by Chanel
Male Fragrance: Le Mâle by Jean Paul Gaultier
Judges: Richard E. Grant, Piers Bracher, Howard Greenhaigh and Jackie Tyson.Judges: Richard E. Grant (Actor, Screen Writer & Director), Piers Bracher (Advertising Director), Howard Greenhaigh (Film Director & Music Video Director) and Jackie Tyson (Make Up Artist in TV, Film & Photography).
Female Fragrance: Marni by Marni
Male Fragrance: Bottega Veneta Pour Homme by Bottega Veneta
Judges: Jenny Packham (British Fashion Designer), Lucy Ewing (Fashion Director, Sunday Times Style), Caryn Franklin (British Fashion Expert) and Patrick Grant (British Fashion Designer).
Un Air de Diptyque by Diptyque
Judges: Sue James (Editorial Director, Woman & Home), David Nicholls (Design Editor, Telegraph Magazine) and Sue Peart (Editor, You Magazine).
Plum Japonais by Tom Ford
Judges: Voted for by members of The Fragrance Foundation.
Bottega Veneta Pour Homme by Bottega Veneta
Judges: Voted for by members of The Fragrance Foundation.
Inez and Vinoodh 1996 by Byredo
Judges: Voted for by the 2013 Jasmine Award Winners.
24 Old Bond Street by Atkinsons (Mane)
Judges: Voted for by the 2013 Jasmine Award Winners.
Honey by Marc Jacobs
Judges: Voted for on ELLEUK.COM.
Invictus by Paco Rabanne
Judges: Voted for on menshealth.co.uk.
Nude by Rihanna
Judges: Voted for by readers of OK! Magazine.
Miss Dior Eau de Toilette by Parfums Christian Dior
Judges: Voted for on boots.com.
1 Million Intense by Paco Rabanne
Judges: Voted for on boots.com.
Harrods
Judges: Voted for by members of The Fragrance Foundation.
Si by Giorgio Armani
Judges: Voted for by members of The Fragrance Foundation.
Invictus by Paco Rabanne
Judges: Voted for by members of The Fragrance Foundation.
Our Moment by One Direction.
Judges: Voted for live at The Fragrance Foundation Awards.
In addition to all of the awards for individual fragrances, ‘British Master Perfumer’ Roja Dove was presented with a Special Commendation Award for his service to and continued passion for the fragrance industry.
Join the Discussion
So there you have it! The results for this year’s Fragrance Awards are in. What are your thoughts on the winners? Are your favourites on the list or are there some glaring omissions?
Let me know your thoughts in the box below!
The Candy Perfume Boy 