Jewellery & Accessories

All the Colognes and Scents That Won Big at the Fragrance Foundation Awards

Including Ralph Lauren (the man), Tom Ford (the fragrances), and much more.

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It was, by a long stretch, the best-smelling room in New York City.

Earlier this week, Lincoln Center’s David S. Koch Theater was transformed into a well-perfumed arena thanks to the annual Fragrance Foundation Awards. The ceremony, now in its 76th year, honors excellence in the rapidly growing field of fine fragrances and recognizes the year’s most critically acclaimed (and culturally beloved) scents.

For the occasion, Daniela Andrier—the perfumer who helped Prada create its fragrance category, and who took home this year’s lifetime achievement award—composed a scent called Lincoln in June, which greeted attendees as they walked into the theater’s voluminous travertine lobby.

“Givaudan not only allowed me to become a perfumer, but also made me encounter the love of my life, [Givaudan CEO] Gilles [Andrier],” she said on stage when she accepted the trophy. “I create my formulas with the joy of our love and the joy of our magical children. I’m proud to stand before them here tonight.”

The other major honoree, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, received two recognitions: an award for Polo 67, the grapefruit, juniper, and patchouli-scented eau de toilette created in collaboration with perfumer Marie Salamagne; and induction into the Fragrance Foundation’s Hall of Fame.

“My father had never been to a polo match,” said David Lauren, who accepted the award on Ralph’s behalf, referencing the name of the fragrance and the beloved clothing brand. “That’s the truth, and he didn’t go for a long time. But he understood intuitively what it meant. He understood that he was conjuring up dreams even as a young guy at 26 years old. In the Bronx, we understood it meant a better life.”

For an industry that tries to arouse emotions with every spritz, it was an appropriately stunning tribute.

Below, the scents that earned top honors at this year’s awards.

Kilian Paris Sunkissed Goddess

Fragrance of the Year: Women’s Luxury

Estée Lauder Companies
Givaudan
Perfumer: Calice Becker

Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar | 42

Fragrance of the Year, Women’s Prestige

Kayali
dsm-firmenich
Perfumer: Gabriela Chelariu

Tom Ford Bois Pacifique

Fragrance of the Year, Men’s Luxury

Estée Lauder Companies
Givaudan
Perfumers: Rodrigo Flores-Roux, Adriana Medina

Ralph Lauren Polo 67

Fragrance of the Year, Men’s Prestige

L’Oréal
DSM-Firmenich
Perfumer: Marie Salamagne

Rabanne 1 Million Eau De Toilette

Fragrance Hall of Fame

Puig
Givaudan
Perfumers: Michel Girard, Olivier Pescheux, Christophe Raynaud

Maison Margiela Replica Afternoon Delight

Fragrance of the Year, Universal Prestige

L’Oréal
IFF
Perfumer: Carlos BenaĂŻm

Byredo Desert Dawn

Fragrance of the Year, Universal Luxury

Puig
Robertet
Perfumer Jérôme Epinette

Tom Ford Black Lacquer

Fragrance of the Year, Ultra-Luxury, Women’s, Men’s, Universal

Estée Lauder Companies
Givaudan
Perfumer: Guillaume Flavigny

Vacation “After-Sun”

Fragrance of the Year, Popular, Women’s, Men’s, Universal

Vacation
Givaudan
Perfumer: Rodrigo Flores-Roux

Nest New York Sunlit Yuzu & Neroli Wellness Collection

Candle and Home Collection of the Year

Nest New York
Givaudan
Perfumers: Christine Hassan, Linda Song

Burberry Her Intense

Consumer Choice, Prestige, Women’s, Men’s & Universal

Coty
Takasago
Perfumer: Aurelien Guichard

Bath & Body Works Platinum

Consumer Choice, Popular, Women’s, Men’s & Universal

Bath & Body Works
IFF
Perfumers: Natasha Côté, Patty Hidalgo, Laurent Le Guernec

Balmain Beauty Ébène

Perfume Extraordinaire of the Year

Estée Lauder Companies
Symrise
Perfumer: Maurice Roucel

D.S.& Durga Murder Mystery Set

Innovative Fragrance Product of the Year

D.S.& Durga
dsm-firmenich
David & Kavi Moltz

Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild

Packaging of the Year, Prestige or Popular

Coty
Marc Jacobs

Diptyque Fleur De Peau Holiday Edition

Packaging of the Year, Ultra-Luxury or Luxury

Diptyque in collaboration with Lucy Sparrow

Veronique Gabai Delices des Bois

Indie Fragrance of the Year

Veronique Gabai
DSM-Firmenich
Perfumer: Amandine Clerc-Marie