New locations and format changes are nothing new for the Fragrance Foundation's biggest annual event, and on Monday night the beauty and perfume industry organization once again switched things up for the FiFi Awards. Relocating from last year's venue of the Tent at Lincoln Center, the ceremony honoring the best products and executives brought more than 800 guests to Alice Tully Hall for a somewhat traditional show in the Starr Theatre and reception in the attached Atrium space. Jill Belasco, chairman of the Fragrance Foundation board and C.E.O. of scent developer Coscentrix, even made note of the shift at the start of the presentation, saying, "I think you can tell right away, things are different this year."
Perhaps responsible for the adjustment—a configuration last seen in 2003—was the difference in the planning team. Rochelle Bloom, president of the foundation, who oversaw many of the event's iterations alongside producer Dalzell Productions, stepped down from her post at the end of last year. This year, a committee determined the look and feel, working with MannicMedia to conceive and produce the gathering. To help plan, MannicMedia tapped Save the Date.
"Since it was the 40th anniversary [of the awards], they wanted to bring the tradition of glamour back into the event," said Courtney Preston, vice president of Save the Date.
This translated to a minimalist look marked by a color palette of red—a nod to rubies, the gem traditionally given for a 40th anniversary—and white. Wet weather prompted the organizers to install tents over the arrivals area set up on the hall's 65th-Street side and in the sunken terrace by the entrance for the V.I.P. lounges.
The night also saw the addition of an official host. Glee actress Jane Lynch served as the night's emcee and lightened the mood with a humorous introduction speech that got a lot of laughs. "I'm honored to be here tonight to serve as your host. Selecting me as host makes perfect sense, because when you think of a sexy, delicate, and floral fragrance, you think, 'Jane Lynch,'" she said.
Prior to announcing the winners, guests were asked to retrieve 3-D glasses from organza bags placed on their seats to watch a short animated film that depicted perfume bottles. Although there were some minor glitches during the video presentation, presenters, including fashion designer and TV personality Nicole Richie, made light of the situation with jokes.
For the third consecutive year, the foundation partnered with charitybuzz.com for an online auction, which this year collected funds for Adopt the Arts—a charity dedicated to saving the arts in public schools—and National Center for Lesbian Rights, both supported by Lynch. Up for bid were passes to attend Cosmopolitan's 16th annual Fun Fearless Female awards, a makeup consultation with Giorgio Armani celebrity makeup artist Tim Quinn, and tickets to the Mets-Yankees game at Citi Field on June 24. The auction runs through May 30.
