The Top Five FiFi “Fragrance of the Year Finalists” 2012 + FiFi Finalists Sample Breakfast Bag Draw

Image: Courtesy of the Fragrance Foundation

At the annual  FiFi breakfast, April 27th, 2012  at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York  City, the Top Five Finalists in a variety of fragrance, packaging,  magazine and online editorial , media, interior scent  and other categories were announced.

The following are  the finalists for "Fragrance of the Year".

Women's Luxe Finalists (sold in Department and Specialty Stores with 250+ Doors)

Beyoncé Pulse – Coty Inc.
Bottega Veneta – Coty Prestige
Prada Candy Eau de Parfum Spray – PUIG USA
Someday By Justin Bieber – Give Back Brands, LLC
Tom Ford Violet Blonde – Tom Ford Beauty

Men's Luxe Finalists

 Armani Code Sport – Giorgio Armani Beauty
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme – P&G Prestige
John Varvatos ★ U.S.A. – Elizabeth Arden
L’Homme Libre – Yves Saint Laurent
Un Jardin Sur Le Toit – Hermès – Beauté Prestige International
  

Nouveau Niche Women Finalists (The Fragrance Foundation defines Nouveau Niche as Artisanal brands that are sold to less than 250 doors)

due to a tie there are 6 finalists

Dahlia Noir – Parfums Givenchy
Dolce & Gabbana The Velvet Collection:
Velvet Vetiver, Velvet Wood, Velvet Love, Velvet Patchouli, Velvet Sublime, Velvet Desire – P&G Prestige
Jersey – Chanel
live in love – Oscar de la Renta
Maison Martin Margiela (untitled) – L’Oréal
Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge – Private Blend – Tom Ford Beauty

Nouveau Niche Men's Finalists

due to a tie there are 6 finalists

Boss The Collection: Cotton & Verbena, Silk & Jasmine, Wool & Musk, Velvet & Amber, Cashmere & Patchouli – P&G Prestige
Incense Oud – by Kilian
L’Homme Cologne Gingembre – Yves Saint Laurent
New York Oud – Bond No. 9 New York
Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge – Private Blend – Tom Ford Beauty
YUZU – Caron

 

Broad Appeal

Fragrances sold through mass merchandisers (drugstores/chains)

Women’s
Men’s

Specialty Brand

Fragrances sold through one retailer and/or brand name in one retailer

Women’s
Men’s (there were no 2012 Men’s entries)

Direct to Consumer

Fragrances sold through tv shopping, online, catalog or door-to-door

Women’s (there were no 2012 Women’s entries)
Men’s

Beginning Monday, April 30, 2012-May 14, 2012 there will be a chance to vote in the FiFi Consumer's Choice awards; you can choose your favorite men's fragrance and your favorite women's fragrance for the year 2012 from the list below. The process is explained here http://fifiawards.wordpress.com/2012-fifi-awards-nominees/2012-consumers-choice/. Last year The "Consumer's Choice awards went to Victoria Secret Bombshell and Bath & Body Twilight Woods for Men.

Consumer's Choice

Women's Nominees

 

 Anthropologie 1922 Lily Sanguine Eau de Parfum – Inter Parfums USA
BBW Signature Collection Paris Amour – Bath & Body Works
bebe Gold Eau de Parfum – Inter Parfums USA
Beyoncé Pulse – Coty Inc.
Bottega Veneta – Coty Prestige
Christina Aguilera Royal Desire – P&G Prestige
curve appeal for women – Elizabeth Arden
Dahlia Noir – Parfums Givenchy
Dolce & Gabbana The Velvet Collection:
Velvet Vetiver, Velvet Wood, Velvet Love, Velvet Patchouli,
Velvet Sublime, Velvet Desire – P&G Prestige
Heidi Klum Shine – Coty Inc.
Jersey – Chanel
Lily – Crabtree & Evelyn
live in love – Oscar de la Renta
Maison Martin Margiela (untitled) – L’Oréal
Moment de Bonheur Yves Rocher – Yves Rocher North America, Inc.
Outspoken Intense by Fergie EDP – Avon Products, Inc.
Prada Candy Eau de Parfum Spray – PUIG USA
Someday By Justin Bieber – Give Back Brands, LLC
Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge – Private Blend – Tom Ford Beauty
Tom Ford Violet Blonde – Tom Ford Beauty
Victoria’s Secret Angel – Victoria’s Secret Beauty

 

 

Men's Consumer Choice

Armani Code Sport – Giorgio Armani Beauty
BBW Signature Collection for Men Classic – Bath & Body Works
Boss The Collection:
Cotton & Verbena, Silk & Jasmine, Wool & Musk, Velvet & Amber, Cashmere & Patchouli – P&G Prestige
Comme une Evidence Green – Yves Rocher North America, Inc.
curve appeal for men – Elizabeth Arden
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme – P&G Prestige
Incense Oud – by Kilian
John Varvatos ★ U.S.A. – Elizabeth Arden
L’Homme Cologne Gingembre – Yves Saint Laurent
L’Homme Libre – Yves Saint Laurent
New York Oud – Bond No. 9 New York
Samba Sport Man – The Perfumer’s Workshop International, Ltd.
Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge – Private Blend – Tom Ford Beauty
Un Jardin Sur Le Toit – Hermès – Beauté Prestige International
YUZU – Caron
Zipped Premier – The Perfumer’s Workshop International, Ltd.
Zipped Soho Noir – The Perfumer’s Workshop International, Ltd.

 A voting link will appear on the Fragrance Foundation Blog here, as well as on each FiFi social networking profile, and on participating media partner websites.

Please leave a comment about the five Fragrance of the Year  finalists in any category (including  your favorites) and one lucky CaFleureBon reader will receive the Official Fragrance Foundation gift bag filled with ALL of this year's Fragrance of the Year finalists. We want to hear from you…Draw closes April 30, 2012

–Michelyn Camen, Editor In Chief

Disclosure: I received the gift bag at the 40th Anniversary Fifi breakfast.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume.

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44 comments

  • kamajasmine says:

    Seeing Justin bieber in the same category as Bottega Veneta made me shudder
    Amongst my favorites are by kilian incense oud and Prada Candy
    Thanks for the opportunity to try all these finalists
    Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised in the broad appeal category and it will be interesting to smell all these samples the experts voted for

  • Barry says:

    Wow. I love sample bags. There are so many of these I’d love to try. I hope the sample bag has Tom Ford, Hermes and Bond. Boss the collection looks particularly interesting.

  • Joshua Ryan says:

    Props to Beyonce Pulse for making it, and I will be shocked if that one does not win on that category. Not that I love that specific fragrance, (I do have it) It is a OK fragrance for a celeb release.

    Someday? I am a bit thrown off on that one. & have yet to test it because everyone says it is identical to Taylor Swift Wonderstruck. & we know Elizabeth Arden fragrances are better quality.

    I am very happy Tom Ford made the cut! and sadly, there is not Mugler fragrances in the mix. I would love to try some of these, (I have only tried/have) the Beyonce Pulse. (only because my significant other is a die hard Beyonce fan)

    Rooting for TF 🙂

    Have a great weekend!

  • Subbie says:

    I am interested to see how Incense Oud will fare against Jasmine Rouge and New York Oud. There are a lot of interesting fragrances this year and I am looking forward to see who gets the awards. My winners this year have already made it in my closet. I haven’t tried too many of these, to be honest, though!

  • Sasha says:

    I’d never thought of Jardin sur le toit as a men’s fragrance before. It certainly doesn’t give off the generic cologne aura as some of the other scents in that category – Armani code sport or L’homme libre, for example. And then there’s the Tom Ford, which is in its own class altogether.

  • hotlanta linda says:

    Bottega Veneta is something GOOD in Coty`s corner; so are Tom Ford`s scents from Lauder. Prada`s Candy makes me smile – as in Werther`s Original candies!! Lastly, Dahlia Noir is finally!! a grown woman`s scent from Givenchy 🙂

  • alexander says:

    IMHO NONE of them is interesting and shouldn’t get any award or that much attention, so my choice is easy I woudn’t pick none of them.

  • Jan says:

    My eye is turned towards the Nouveau Niche Men’s category. My winner would be Incense Oud (as the oud series are the only By Kilians I really like much), though it has a big competitor in NY Oud. Jasmin Rouge is a nice jasmine, but a bit too simple in my opinion to really excel. The other three I don’t find worthy competitors, but then again, I’m an oud freak!

  • Claudia says:

    Well I can tell you from my own experience MMM Untitled is wonderful, considering I owned it before it even made it here to the US. I also found Prada Candy and Bottega Veneta to be sleeper surprises, bot are actually nice and easy t wear. TF Violet Blond was a nice one too and I actually liked it better then his TF Jasmin Rouge. Some great choices in there. Thank you for the fantastic draw.

  • sherapop says:

    I am quite confused by this definition of ‘niche’: L’Oréal & Procter and Gamble are niche? Okay, fine, and I’m the Pope.

    Justin Bieber Someday was probably the worst fragrance I have tested over the past year.

    I vote for Tom Ford Violet Blonde and Bond no 9 New York Oud.

  • Amer says:

    Many of the niche finalists I don’t consider niche at all! Anyway, should I be able to overlook that I would say that Boss the Collection has some interesting titles. I like the materials, especially cotton-verbena offers for good interpretations. From women’s niche I find equally intriguing the velvet collection. Jasmine Rouge by Tom Ford is a finalist in both male and female niche? Double the chances…

  • Connor M says:

    In the Men’s Luxe category i like seeing Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Toit. I hadn’t thought of it as a men’s fragrance, as my mother recently purchased a bottle, however, I love the fragrance and have no qualms with wearing “gender-bending” fragrances.

    also, happy to see violet blonde up there for women’s.

    Would LOVE to win this one. So many different fragrances in there. Thanks 🙂

  • Victoria says:

    I don’t think that some niches are so, for me it’s strange to see in this category.
    I vote for Prada Candy, I like it a lot.

  • ringthing says:

    I too am confused at the definition of niche. I’d definitely like to see more mainstream releases as well thought out as Bottega Veneta,though.

  • Lean S says:

    Interesting! I’m a little surprised by some of these. Others I look forward to trying out, such as Tom Ford Violet Blonde, Prada Candy, Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge, Dahlia Noir and Velvet Patchouli. Thank you for the opportunity!

  • Deanna G. says:

    I have only tried Dahlia Noir so i can’t really comment on the others but I really loved it! 🙂

  • Fernando says:

    It’s interesting to see that the men’s selection of “nouveau niche” perfumes is much more impressive than the women’s, while in the “luxe” category it seems to me to be the other way around.

    In Women’s Luxe there are three standouts, I think: Bottega Veneta, Candy, and Violet Blonde. I don’t like any of the men’s. On the other hand, in “nouveau niche” I don’t like any of the women’s (except for the Tom Ford, which I haven’t smelled), while a couple of the men’s are quite good, and Incense Oud is excellent.

  • winstonsmith4 says:

    The Prada Candy was not my favourite… I’ve sniffed TF Violet Blonde and it was beautiful! Haven’t had the fortune to sniff any of the others…

  • Devon H says:

    I’m a HUUUUGE fan of Tom Ford’s Violet Blonde, and I am rooting for him!! What an awesome breakfast that must have been 🙂 So jealous!

  • Kathryn says:

    The best of the bunch, (from what I’ve smelt), would have to be Bottega Veneta. It’s one of the nicest subtle leather and floral combinations since Kelly Caleche.
    I haven’t got around to testing the Tom Ford 2011 releases, but I intend to, especially now that they’ve been nominated.
    Both Someday by Justin Bieber, Prada Candy and Gucci Guilty pour Homme were disappointments to my nose. I personally don’t think either of them should have been nominated.
    I’m surprised to see Annick Goutal’s Mon Parfum Cheri par Camille missing from this list.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Alica says:

    I am a little bit surprised by Beyonce Pulse in the 1st rank in the women’s luxe finalists. OK, everybody to his taste. Thanks for entering me.

  • Amy says:

    I’d have to go with Incense Oud , By Kilian, in the Nouveau Niche Men’s Category. I love love love this one. Wow, what a wonderful sample bag. Thanks for the draw!

  • MariaA says:

    I was hoping that when they eliminated the semi finalists that the Beyonce and Bieber perfumes would be out. I guess the name alone is enough to sell like crazy and these ones sold a lot. Prada Candy was not my cup of tea- too sweet but Bottega Veneta and Violet Blonde are trully lovely. I only hope one of these two wins (with a small preference to Violet Blonde!) and as for me I hope I win this draw as I would trully love to try all of these perfumes especially the D&G Velvet line!!

  • Tourbillion says:

    My friend was wearing Bottega Veneta last week and it was really nice. My favorites that I have tried in store are the Tom Ford scents. However, I am also curious about Dahlia Noir, I hope it isn’t a sweet, fruity scent.

  • yash says:

    Being an unconditional Kilian Hennessy fan I hope ihis Incense oud wins because it is just a superb rendition of the over used oud noteand is more niche appropriate than the other pefumes listed.

  • Quichange says:

    Artisanal means handmade in small batches
    That is how the FF defines nouveau niche
    Which of the finalists would fit that description?

  • Isa says:

    I have tried very few finalist perfumes this year, but I can say that I loved Bottega Veneta but I did not like Prada Candy so much (too sweat maybe).

    Some finalists sound great, like Kilian Incense Oud, Caron Yuz, Chanel Jersey…

    Thanks for the chance to try them!

  • Tambri says:

    Interesting list of finalists……..

    I have and love Sur Le Toit, never considered it a male fragrance (not that it would matter to me anyway.

    I would love to try Bottega Veneta, that one’s still on my “to sniff” list.

  • Barbara S says:

    Not all that excited to see Someday by Justin Beiber making the cut but glad for Beyonce’s Pulse. Also like the men’s from Yves Rocher as I like their products. Would love to try Jersey from Chanel.
    thanks fro the draw.

  • monster says:

    Bottega Veneta positively reeks of excellent quality materials. It’s a standout release in what I think was a generally lackluster year.

    I’m more magnanimous about celebrity perfumes than most perfumistas, but I just don’t get the love for Someday.

  • Cynthia says:

    I vote for the Tom Ford entries. There were other nice ones from some of the mainstream perfumers this year, Bottega Veneta and Prada Candy are two which come to mind. I also don’t get how some of these are niche, though. I guess what I call niche could be called “indie”.

  • missp says:

    I love the Tom Fords… Black Orchid should have made it on, but Violet Blonde is sure gorgeous too. 🙂 Would love to try Jersey. Thanks for the draw!

  • Cristina says:

    That Just Bieber perfume in a “luxe ” category says a lot about luxe in the perfume world. Embarrassing. That Bottega Veneta is also present and exists, well, there’s hope.

  • ineverwas says:

    I’ve heard so much about Bottega Veneta but I haven’t tested it yet, though I’d love to. From the finalists, I really love Prada Candy which is a great everyday, city chic perfume.

  • AubreyZ says:

    Since most people are commenting on the Women’s luxe finalists and I agree with their sentiments (it’s shocking to see Someday and Bottega Veneta in the same finalist list!), I’ll talk about my favorite category: Nouveau Niche Women’s finalists.

    First, though I thought that MMM Untilited came out the year before, I think this should be the winner. Though not the most ‘wearable’ perfume beauty of the year, the Nouveau niche category is one where the perfumers should be rewarded for taking risks, imho. And MMM Untitled certainly did: citrus zest, ashtray, galbanum and MASSIVE changes from top to heart to base notes. I think it was a brilliant launch that should be rewarded. The Tom Ford was also very pretty (if not quite as risky) compared to the others, in my mind. Live in Love and several of the other finalists were very pedestrian in comparison with these, and though I am glad to see them nominated, I don’t think they should win.

    I hope that next year brings as many exciting launches as this, and more. I’m surprised not to see the Cartier launch on any of these lists. It’s really flown under the radar for such a pretty, pretty perfume.

  • Gypsy Parfumista says:

    Women’s “Luxe”:
    -BEYONCE’s Pulse was different, and I liked it
    -BOTTEGA VENETA was amazing!
    -PRADA Candy was nice…but too sweet for me
    -JB Someday *rolls eyes* (really?!!) My mom loved it!
    -TF Violet Blonde was IMO the best and should win

    Men’s “Luxe”:
    -ARMANI Code Sport was VERY well done, and I liked it more than I thought I would.
    -GUCCI Guilty PH did not impress me, The Intense did though.
    -JV Star USA was nice also (Rodrigo does “woody spicy”) 😉 *hoping this wins*
    -YSL L’Homme Libre is perhaps the best L’Homme (light) flanker yet, not counting the La Nuits.
    -HERMES Sur le Toit was great, but NOT as good as Le Nil

    Women’s Nouveau Niche: Dahlia Noir impressed me the most, from what I have tried in this category.

    Men’s Nouveau Niche: BY KILIAN’s Incense Oud blew me away and I hope this wins!! have yet to try BOSS Collection but would love to!

    Women’s Consumer Choice: HEIDI KLUM’s Shine was very good for a dept. store scent!

    Men’s Consumer Choice: YR’s Evidence Homme Green is fantastic, and I sincerely hope THIS one wins!! *crosses fingers*

    THANKS SO MUCH for the chance for a swag bag from the FiFis *sighs* what an awesome prize!!

  • Bulka says:

    there are some fragrances i did like in the list, and it wasnt Bottega Veneta! (although i think it may grow on me). I loved Candy and Violet Blonde, and Jardin Sur le Toit is my favorite spring “spray a lot” fragrance 🙂

  • Holly F. says:

    I’ve had the chance to sample Prada Candy, Bottega Veneta, and TF Violet Blonde, and all three are on my wishlist! Thanks for the draw.

  • Queen says:

    It is beyond me that one could compare Tom Ford’s,”Violet Blonde, with “Justin Beiber’s Someday!
    Who are the judges and what are they thinking?????

  • Bonbori says:

    Echoing the comment right above mine, it’s funny that Bieber is in there with Violet Blonde but from a marketing standpoint both are quite successful! Also, a good year for 250+ doors with Violet Blonde, Candy and Bottega Veneta.

    Fingers crossed.

  • Maureen says:

    I have only tried Bottega Veneta (loved it), and Jersey (OK). Would love to win the grab bag and try all of these new scents. Thanks for the fun draw!