The Fragrance Foundation has been the focus of several breakthroughs recently as they made a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Pledge, presented awards at a ‘Circle of Champions’ Ceremony, and announced a Diversity Scholarship program. It all started with a webinar themed “Industry Perspective on Diversity Equity and Inclusion” in the fragrance industry. Helen Shelton, Global Chief Diversity Officer and Luxury Brand Marketing Communications Expert at Finn Partners moderated the webinar attended by some 1000 and featured Corey Smith of LVMH, Linda Song of Givaudin, Chris Collins of World of Chris Collins (Fragrances) Rob Smith, LGBTQ+ advocate and founder of The Phluid Project and Linda G. Levy, president of the Fragrance Foundation.\
CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS
The gala night, themed `Circle of Champions’ was held at the elegant 583 Park Avenue event space, where cocktails and dinner framed the awards ceremony. Linda G.Levy served as the evening’s host. She introduced the honorees, Virginia Bonofiglio and Stephen Kanlian, both Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Faculty members. Virginia is Assistant Professor & Head of the Bachelor of Science Program Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing. Meanwhile Stephen is Professor and Head of the Master’s Degree Program Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing & Management. Both honorees, in accepting their awards emphasized that the students were the driving force in their long careers, and thanked The Fragrance Foundation for the prestigious awards. Earlier in the evening, Linda Levy welcomed FITs President Dr. Joyce Brown who brought greetings on behalf of the students and faculty.
#FragranceForwardTFF
The Fragrance Foundation hashtag is an open, ambitious and focused initiative to open the doors of the Fragrance industry ro all, galvanizing their membership to devote resources towards education, mentorship and recruitment, while also pushing for awareness and acceptance, as well as non-discriminatory employment opportunities across the board, according to Linda Levy, who further emphasized, “Our number one goal for #FragranceForwardTFF is to foster a fully inclusive industry that truly represents the world.” Linda Levy continued: “This is a groundbreaking moment for all of us as we amplify our commitment to championing diversity in all of its forms, and strive towards a fully inclusive industry that is an accurate reflection of our world.”THE PLEDGE”I COMMIT TO BEING FRAGRANCE FORWARD BY HOLDING MYSELF AND MY COMPANY ACCOUNTABLE AT ALL LEVELS TO DRIVE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.I COMMIT TO BREAKING BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS IN LAUNCHING, GROWING, AND SUSTAINING CAREERS IN THE FRAGRANCE INDUSTRY. I COMMIT TO ACTIONABLE STEPS TO BROADENING MY PERSPECTIVE, CHANGING MY WORKPLACE, AND CHANGING
THE INDUSTRY.”
$100,000 SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEDIn their commitment for a fully inclusive industry across all sectors, The Fragrance Foundation announced the first ever Fragrance Foundation Diversity Scholarship at FIT. The $100,000 scholarship is designed to support and advance the educational development of deserving students of diverse backgrounds at the undergraduate and graduate levels as they pursue careers in the fragrance industry.
THE FRAGRANCE FOUNDATION
The Fragrance Foundation is the premier resource for industry expertise, innovation and education. United under the mission statement – “to inspire the world to discover the artistry and passion of fragrance,” The Fragrance Foundation is devoted to nurturing talent, engaging consumers and driving diversity, equity and inclusion. Through its signature initiative, #FragranceForwardTFF, The Fragrance Foundation is making the industry accessible, welcoming and diverse through the collective power of its 100+ members and an unwavering commitment. Follow The Fragrance Foundation on social media: @fragrancefoundation
