#USA #New York #Fragrance Foundation #Honorine Blanc #Michael Edwards

2026 Fragrance Foundation Awards: Finalists Revealed

On April 16, 2026, The Fragrance Foundation celebrated its annual luncheon at Cipriani 42 in New York City, unveiling the highly anticipated finalists for the 2026 Fragrance Foundation Awards. This prestigious event serves as a pivotal moment in the fragrance industry calendar, marking the lead-up to the awards ceremony scheduled for June 11th at Lincoln Center.

During the event, the Foundation recognized Honorine Blanc, a Master Perfumer at dsm-firmenich, with the Lifetime Achievement Perfumer award. Honorine has made significant contributions throughout her career, creating memorable fragrances that resonate on a global scale. "I am happy and honored to be named Lifetime Achievement Perfumer by The Fragrance Foundation. This recognition reflects a career devoted to passion, creativity, and joy," she shared with attendees.

In addition, the event bestowed the prestigious Game Changer Award upon Michael Edwards, a renowned fragrance historian and taxonomist. Michael has dedicated over forty years to the study of fragrance, crafting a historical context that enriches our understanding of scent. His citation as a Game Changer reflects his profound impact and legacy in the industry. "For over forty years, I've matched fragrances, family by family, scent by scent, to make it easier for people to discover new fragrances they'll enjoy," he said, expressing his gratitude for the recognition.

The luncheon not only highlighted these luminaries but also celebrated the finalists across various fragrance categories. Five remarkable achievements were recognized, including winners for Editorial of the Year, Fragrance Innovation of the Year, Indie Fragrance of the Year, and Packaging of the Year in both ultra-luxury and prestige categories. A complete listing of finalists and award winners can be found on fragrance.org.

Linda G. Levy, the president of The Fragrance Foundation, offered insights on the event's significance, stating, "The announcement of our finalists and the Lifetime Achievement Perfumer at our April luncheon is a hallmark moment on the Awards calendar as it officially starts the countdown to the June ceremony. The significance of this event is felt throughout the industry as we celebrate winners, finalists and look forward to celebrating Honorine Blanc in June."

Here are some of the notable winners announced during the luncheon:

Fragrance Innovation of the Year

• - Winner: Pura Cloud Dancer Pantone Color of The Year by dsm-firmenich, Perfumed by Clement Gavarry and Erwan Raguenes.
• - Winner: Rare Beauty Fragrance Layering Balm by Robertet, Perfumed by Jérôme Epinette.

Indie Fragrance of the Year

• - Winner: LBTY. Beauty Zephirine by dsm-firmenich, Perfumed by Frank Voelkl.

Editorial of the Year

• - Winner: What Guerlain's Shalimar Can Teach About Building a Brand That Lasts 100 Years by Sudhir Gupta in Rolling Stone.

As the landscape of scent continues to evolve, this year's Fragrance Foundation Awards promise to be an exciting celebration of creativity and innovation in the world of fragrance. The upcoming awards ceremony in June will reveal the winners for the remaining categories, illuminating the best of the best in an industry characterized by artistry and passion.

The Fragrance Foundation stands as a beacon of creativity and excellence, uniting over 160 brands, fragrance houses, and retailers in its mission to foster appreciation for the art of scent. For more details on finalists, winners, and event updates, visit fragrance.org and join the conversation on social media @FragranceFoundation.