34 thoughts on “Perfume News – The Fragrance Foundation’s 2013 FiFi Awards: List of Finalists”

1. Don’t know what to make of either list.

   • I’m barely repressing some snide comments on the first (mainstream) one. What about the niche list baffles you so much?

     • The immense difference, and I am struggling for words here, as well as trying to be polite; the immense abyss between the brand By Kilian and say, anyone else on the list. A category for niche AND independent would show that this organization had an understanding of the industry it purports to represent. At the moment it understands mainstream-commercial-designer-branded, excuse me I am yawning, Perfume $’s. The tokenism is unbelievable. Please delete this comment if you feel it endangers your safety or mine. Please feel free to educate further on this venerable foundation.

       • I think you’re dead to rights on all of it, Jordan. The lumping of niche and independent was baffling to me but, try as I might, I couldn’t find any separate category for niche perfumery. In addition, I completely disagree with their short-sighted, non-inclusive, extremely narrow definitions or concepts of “Luxury” -vs- “Prestige.” I think your description of “tokenism” is absolutely brilliant. I really do. I wish I could find out exactly how the judging works and what the criteria are for those who are on the panel. The panelists for the Indie judging is everything from influential perfume bloggers to magazine figures and some people in the industry:

         “The judging panel members were: Paul Austin, president of Austin Advisory Group; Anne-Marie Guarnieri, senior beauty editor, Allure magazine; Virginia Bonofiglio, chairperson, cosmetics & fragrance marketing, FIT; Raymond Matts, The Art of Perfumery; Emily Dougherty, beauty director, Elle magazine; Lucy Raubertas, Indie Perfumes; Gaia Fishler, The Non-Blonde; Bruce E. Teitelbaum CEO, RPG; Ann Gottlieb, president, Ann Gottlieb Associates, Inc.; and Rayda Vega, consultant, Aromadyn.” http://www.gcimagazine.com/marketstrends/segments/fragrance/2013-FiFi-Indie-Award-Winner-Named-188851101.html?utm_source=Related+Items&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Related+Items

         But who decides for categories like the ones which encompass Justin Beiber? For Prestige or Packaging? I would bet you that PR/marketing groups have to play *some* role in all of that, and perhaps not just for the ad campaign award either. I’ll try to look into it when I have some extra time. Or perhaps that might be a good avenue for you to pursue?

         In fairness, however, the growth of niche perfumery is a relatively new phenomenom. On the other hand, it’s not THAT new and it’s certainly been around long enough to warrant a far more equal treatment in categories.

         • Indie Awards
           Here is what Mr Hennessy had to say about his FF award ” Just learnt that AMBER OUD won the Indie’s award tonight and I couldn’t go because sick in bed…:-(( ”

           I guess he was sick of being Indie. Or maybe he was feeling constricted by the snake around his neck. Don’t get me wrong I admire Kilian. I would like to comprehend FF.

           Ron from Notable Scents had this to say on the occasion of the award: “Congratulation to Amber Oud from The Body Shop”

           NB: The Body Shop released a fragrance of the same name as By Kilian

           The crystalline Christophe commented ” Who won best niche, Nicki Minaj? Seriously, how uninspired your perfume journey must be to think Amber Oud was the best of 2012. They should disclose the list of “judges”.

           Sorry Christophe, niche does not exist. If it did your guess would be spot on.

           Well looks like we have a panel of judges here including you Kafka for our soon to be registered Pluto Foundation. Also open to other naming suggestions; The Magdelena awards? I own a star so lets register it there. I always knew you were a star Pluto.

2. Sigh. I like Amber Oud, but I can see others on the list who I would have been much more excited about winning.

   Somehow, I think the mainstream winners are going to be a bit of a let-down too. Fingers crossed that Spicebomb gets some Fifi love!

   • I think there are a *number* of others on that list that I would have been happier to see win than Amber Oud. Trayee for absolute starters!

     As for the mainstream list, Dot by Marc Jacobs? Jimmy Choo? La Petite Robe Noire (which I do NOT like)? Nooooo. I am also one of those who simply cannot stand Ambre de Merveilles, and can’t stand the fuss about it. I just *know* that one will win.

     Also, totally OT, I can no longer see Halle Berry’s name in the context of perfume without IMMEDIATELY thinking of her comment about spraying perfume between her thighs….

     • My thoughts exactly! Trayee, Rima, Arquiste, Wild Roses, and so many others.

       I actually think La Petite Robe Noir or Dot will take it. Weirdly, I think Ambre is too “obscure.”

       • I will be very unhappy if La Petite Robe Noir takes it but, the more I think of it, the more I suspect you’re right. The ad campaign for it certainly was a tidal wave that almost no other launch had. Not even Coco Noir (which I like to say is neither Coco nor Noir. LOL). One perfume that will make me even more bitter if it wins: Justin Beiber’s Girlfriend. Honestly, the world does not need to encourage that creature any more than it already has. *sniff*

         • That’s exactly what I was thinking! The ad campaign for Petite Robe Noire has been overwhelming! Whereas I hear and see practically nothing for Coco Noir. Since the launch, I kind of forget it’s part of the line-up to be honest.

           I actually do feel kind bad for Justin Bieber. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to grow up with no normality whatsoever. That being said, it’s still not right to have a monkey as pet.

         • It’s also not right to walk around with your underwear showing and your pants down to your knees like a young punk, but I am digressing….. *grin*

           Do you ever read the Mr. Guerlain blog or see it on FB? The amount of photos showing La Petite Robe Noire on buses, street corners, bus stops, etc….. overwhelming. And it doesn’t seem to have slowed down one iota since the launch! Yes, you’re right, it will have to be LPRN for the win.

           On second thought, I went back to the list: Guerlain is in the women’s “Prestige” category, and Coco Noir, Ambre and that ghastly Tom Ford Café Rose are all in the separate “Luxury” category. So, I think either of those 3 could win as well with perhaps Coco Noir having the highest profile of the lot.

         • Aw! Well, I’m willing to cut the Biebs more slack 🙂

           Yes, I have seen the Mr. Guerlain blog, but not for a while. Thanks for the reminder to check in on that!

           Regardless what wins, I think what got nominated just points to sad, sad trends.

         • (I say that about Coco Noir too! And about CDG Amazingreen, which is neither amazing nor particularly green!)

3. Daisy and Kafka- your digression on Justin really made me chuckle!!
   But getting back to the perfume…the packaging for the Nest and those bottles are unbelievably beautiful! And Britt (my daughter) owns Midnight Fleur…smells divine on her..if she is going to be wearing a sweet scent it might as well be high end niche!

   • NEST definitely has some very pretty packaging!! I love how addicted to perfume your daughters are but, then, with you as a mother, it’s not very surprising. I’m glad you instilled your love of fragrance in them. 🙂

     • My son is addicted as well and drives my husband crazy! He once sprayed half of a one ounce bottle of EDP in one of our bathrooms to “freshen it up” after making it unfresh (if you know what I mean :(!!). Luckily it was Pacifica Sandalwood and not a $400 bottle of OJ!!!

       • I like your idea about adding an Artisan category. Much fairer.

         • Yes, Jordan, there are so many wonderful perfumers whose “artisan” perfumes do not get the recognition that they deserve (I won’t mention any names,Kafka, but one of my favorite begins with the letter “S” 😀 !!). If I am going to spend my hard earned money I would be happier applying it towards supporting the artisanal lines that make quality and not quantity…(OK time to get off my soapbox!)

4. Please anyone but Bieber who I suspect is on drugs now, or holier than thou Taylor Swift. I’m rooting for Yves Rocher. They have consistently good, affordable fragrances.

5. All very jolly to make money and support magazine advertisers. You would think though that something called a Fragrance Foundation would be abreast of new phenomena within their stated realm. Will you talk with Gaia? Let’s set up our own foundation of analysts and criteria. O my Magdelana, I just received an email from FF. Did you? Maybe you should delete this post.

6. Wow, I am just honored that someone quoted a joking tweet I did months ago!

   • Wow… I’m impressed you saw somebody quoting your joke 😉

     • That was the first thing that passed through my mind too, followed by the question of how it was found given that there was no link that I could see.

     • I know what you mean Undina (about the time-poor Ron)

   • Welcome Ron. As for your tweet, I guess Jordan found it both amusing and perfectly on point. 🙂

7. We know what was the process of “nomination” for the indie/niche category. I wonder how it works for all other categories? Is every (?) brand is allowed to present one perfume per category? How are perfumes judged? Is it a blind sniffing? Or numbers of sales (items or total)? Or some other criterion?

   • All of those questions are excellent ones. I have no idea but I’m really hoping Jordan will be inspired (or outraged) enough to dig further. LOL.

     • Ha, I was really hoping Kafka will be inspired (or outraged) to dig further.
       Your notes above show the following parties with presumed (by me) conflict of interest:

       Beauty Editors in two magazine that publish perfume advertising
       A chairperson of fragrance marketing

       I cannot comment on the other parties except to say Gaia Fisher strikes me as an eloquent and impartial judge.

       • She’s the only one on that list with my deep respect and admiration.

   • Your questions are my questions are our questions.

8. Excellent humour is like fragance; it becomes a memory. In this case instant recall.

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