bdBLOG: Frivolities at the FiFi awards

You don’t expect both tears and laughter when attending a fragrance event, but that’s exactly what happened at the Fragrance Foundation’s 40th annual awards ceremony held in New York on Monday night.

Host Jane Lynch had guests in stitches with comments such as, Selecting me as host makes perfect sense, because when you think of a sexy, delicate and floral fragrance, you think - Jane Lynch.”

Plus, the one I especially found amusing: Because I play Sue Sylvester on Glee, I think people must think I smell like a boys’ locker room. And I would have loved to make that fragrance, but unfortunately Kim Kardashian owns the copyright.” Luckily, the bootylicious Kardashian wasn’t at the US awards, however she did attend the UK FiFi Awards (as we all know she’d hate to miss out on a red carpet event altogether.)

Tears came in the form of the late Evelyn Lauder’s husband Leonard who lost his composure during a tribute to the industry icon. Leonard discussed Lauder’s love of the beauty biz with the help of Lauder executive Karen Khoury.

Nicole Richie also proved she's more than just a pretty face, ad-libbing with Lynch after she was stuck on stage facing some technical issues.

But while the entertainment maketh the night, it’s the award announcements that everyone is there for. Brands that took home the big cheese included Tom Ford’s Violet Blonde for women’s best luxury fragrance and Gucci Guilty Pour Homme in the same category for men. For broad appeal, Heidi Klum’s Shine won for women and Curve Appeal for men by Elizabeth Arden won the men’s category.

Other US awards went to:

2012 Elizabeth Taylor Fragrance Celebrity of the Year Award

Justin Bieber - Someday

Nouveau Niche Award

Women - Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge - Private Blend - Tom Ford Beauty

Men - Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge - Private Blend - Tom Ford Beauty

Specialty Brand

Women - Anthropologie - 1922 Lily Sanguine Eau de Parfum

Direct to Consumer

Men - Yves Rocher - Comme une Evidence Green

"Consumer's Choice" Award

Women - Victoria's Secret Angel - Victoria's Secret Beauty

Men - Bath & Body Works Signature Collection for Men Classic - Bath & Body Works

Best Packaging of the Year

Luxe Women - Prada Candy Eau de Parfum Spray - PUIG USA

Luxe Men - John Varvatos * USA - Elizabeth Arden

Best Packaging of the Year - Broad Appeal

Women - Victoria's Secret Angel - Victoria's Secret Beauty

Men - curve appeal for men - Elizabeth Arden

Media Campaign of the Year

Women - Coco Mademoiselle – Chanel

Men - Gucci Guilty Pour Homme - P&G Prestige

Bath & Body Line of the Year

Acqua di Gioia - Giorgio Armani Beauty

Interior Scent Collection of the Year

34 boulevard Saint Germain – diptyque

Perfume Extraordinaire of the Year

International Flavors & Fragrances for New York Oud, Bond No. 9 New York

Fragrance Hall of Fame

Women - 24 Faubourg – Hermès, Beauté Prestige International

Men - Acqua di Gio, Giorgio Armani Beauty

UK award winners included:

Best New Print Advertisement

Women - Elie Saab - Le Parfum

Men - Mont Blanc - Legend

Best New Fragrance Commercial

Female - Kenzo - Flower Tag

Male - ck one - Shock

Best New Fragrance Design & Packaging

Women - Balenciaga - L’Essence

Male - Mont Blanc - Legend

Best New Fragrance Limited Distribution

Women - Roja Parfums - Danger

Men - Tom Ford - Neroli Portofino

Best New Independent Fragrance

Angela Flanders - Precious One

Best New Home Fragrance

Roja Parfums - Rose de Mai perfumed candle

Perfume Extraordinaire

Memo - Shams (IFF)

People’s Choice Award

Women - Marc Jacobs - Daisy Eau So Fresh

Men - Armani - Code Sport

Best New Celebrity Fragrance

Justin Bieber - Someday

Retailer Of The Year

Harrods

Best New Fragrance

Women - Elie Saab - Le Parfum

Men - Gucci, Guilty Pour Homme

Hall Of Fame

Thierry Mugler, Angel