Stars Shine At 37th FiFis
With two Academy Award winners, the nation’s most ubiquitous heiress and a trio of hip hop and R&B moguls, the crowd that turned out for this year’s FiFis was arguably the most eclectic and star-studded in the awards’ 37 year history.
“Almost ten years ago, my sister and I were at Radio City Music Hall at the FiFi Awards, just being presenters,” said Paris Hilton—who nabbed honors for Female Celebrity Fragrance of the Year at this year’s ceremony. “And today I’m here winning an award.” Parlux Fragrances, Inc. chairman and CEO Neil Katz, who licenses Ms. Hilton’s fragrance brand, presented her with her FiFi.
“She is a woman of many dimensions,” Mr. Katz said in his toast to the socialite. “But most importantly, she is a businesswoman.”
Another businesswoman being honored for her entrepreneurial acumen was Tova Borgnine, chairman and founder of The Tova Corporation, who was named Retailer of the Year alongside longtime partner QVC.
Upon being presented with the FiFi by her husband, Oscar-winner Ernest Borgnine, Ms. Borgnine offered the crowd these words of wisdom: “Dream your dream, live it, and then make a pact with the best company in the world—which I did.”
FiFi veteran Sean Combs, who took home honors in the Men’s Luxe category in 2007 for Unforgivable, won his second FiFi in the same category this year for I Am King.
“This one’s for you, Diana,” he said—thanking his team at The Estée Lauder Companies, namely Diana Espino-Gitlin, vice president and general manager of Sean John Fragrances.
“And you look beautiful tonight,” Mr. Combs added to presenter Kate Walsh, who was sporting a lavender Hugo Boss Black sheath. “I love this color on you.”
Other celebrity presenters included Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige—both of whom were touting upcoming fragrance projects. Ms. Latifah’s Queen scent with Parlux bows in August, while Ms. Blige will introduce My Life by Mary J. Blige with the Brooklyn-founded Carol’s Daughter brand later this year.
Additionally, Allure editor Linda Wells presented Marc Jacobs with the Hall of Fame award, citing his unique ability to “blend desire and memory in one enticing package”; and power couple Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler named Laura Slatkin’s Nest line the Interior Scent Collection of the Year. She beat out her husband, Harry Slatkin, though he took home a FiFi of his own in 2004 for Elton John Rocks—a crystal potpourri product.
Rounding out the cast of star presenters were Dancing with the Stars host Samantha Harris, Ralph Lauren model Ignacio “Nachos” Figueras and actor Daniel Sunjata.
Fragrance of the Year
|
Fragrance Hall of Fame
|
Best Media Campaign of the YearWomen’s
|
|
C.F.S.S. Top Scorer of the YearCarlos Fernandez-Velasco (Business Manager
|
Female Celebrity Fragrance
|
Technological Breakthrough
|
Editorial Excellence in
|
June 8, 2009, 10:34 am