FiFi Fervor Builds

Innovative packaging and sensational scents set the stage for an awards competition that boosts industry morale and compels consumer sales.

By Jamie Matusow, Editor

On June 10 at The Downtown Armory at Lexington Avenue at 26th Street in Manhattan, a star-studded cast from the entertainment, fragrance and fashion industry will gather to pay tribute to the most desirable scents of the year, in a number of categories from Best Packaging to Scent of the Year.

The fragrances that had been voted among the top 5 (or 6, in cases of a tie; 3 or 4, if entries were limited) were revealed at the traditional FiFi breakfast at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, NY, NY, on April 23. A second round of voting determines the winners, which will be awarded the coveted FiFi Award glass trophies on June 10.

FiFi awards for editorial coverage and for technological breakthrough have already been announced, launching increased anticipation for other categories. The FiFi for Packaging Technology & Delivery Systems was awarded to Victorinox Swiss Army—Victorinox Swiss Unlimited-Rubber Bottle (please see sidebar.)

The Fifi for Fragrance Creation & Formulation went to Givaudan Fragrances Corp.—Miriad 2.0.

For a full listing of finalists announced at the FiFi breakfast, please go to www.beauty packaging.com. Following is a selection of nominated packages for Best Packaging of the Year. Good luck to all—and we look forward to bringing you more on the winners in next month’s issue!

BEST PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Women’s Prestige
a scent by issey miyake: Beauté Prestige International
essence narciso rodriguez eau de parfum: Beauté Prestige International
L’Eau Ambrée by Prada: Puig USA, Inc.
Life Threads Collection: Silver, Gold, Platinum – La Prairie
Lola Marc Jacobs: Coty Prestige












BEST PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Men’s Prestige
Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers Eau De Toilette: (undisclosed) Inter Parfums USA (undisclosed)
John Varvatos Artisan: Beauté Prestige International
John Varvatos Rock Volume One: Beauté Prestige International
Odin Fragrances Collection: 01,02,03 – Foundry NYC
Victorinox Swiss Unlimited: Victorinox Swiss Army












BEST PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Women’s Popular Appeal
Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Twilight Woods: Bath & Body Works
Halle by Halle Berry: Coty
In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon: Avon Products, Inc.
Faith Hill Parfums: Coty













BEST PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Men’s Popular Appeal
comme une Evidence: Yves Rocher North America Inc.
Ironman: Avon Products, Inc.
Playboy: Coty
Seduction in Black – Antonio Banderas: Puig USA, Inc.
Super Samba Man: The Perfumer’s Workshop Int’l, Ltd.












FiFi’s Victorious Victorinox

Just like the brand’s iconic knife, packaging, technology and delivery for this FiFi winner—and finalist—are cutting edge and multi-purpose.

By Pierre Salamon, senior director, corporate training and business development, Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc.

Victorinox Swiss Unlimited, the first masculine fragrance from Victorinox, received the 2010 FiFi Technological Breakthrough of the Year award—for Best Packaging Technology and Delivery Systems.

For a company renowned for its qualitative, iconic, innovative and multifunctional product categories, starting with the famous Swiss Army Knife created at the end of the last century, the team and the ideas had to be very sharp in order to create a unique fragrance concept and packaging.

Although we have already won the Technological Breakthrough award, we can also celebrate the fact that we are nominated for another award—for Best Packaging, in the Men’s Prestige category. The big night is on June 10th! Stay tuned!

The Package

The Victorinox Swiss Unlimited bottle is enclosed in an eye-catching soft touch sheath stamped with the legendary Swiss Cross & Shield emblem. This “rubber coat” is unique in its overall shape and construction. The outer shell is constructed with two components, the interior is a solid, inflexible substance, and the exterior rubber is soft to the touch, making it almost unbreakable and travel friendly. Its complex design features a window, which opens on the light, fresh, green aquamarine liquid.

To refill the rubber bottle (2.5-oz.) remove the carabiner that holds the two pieces of rubber together. The carabiner translates the outdoors and the sport performance values of the brand. Once open, replace the empty bottle with a new bottle.

Rather than having a removable cap, the bottle features an innovative on/off cap system. By simply rotating the ring, the protective cover is lowered for use, exposing the actuator, or turning it in the opposite direction to raise it and protect it when traveling.

Victorinox also created an innovative refillable tool to promote the fragrance. It is called the “U-Fill Tool.” It is a miniature deluxe (mobile spray for travel) that can be refilled from the 2.5-oz. bottle. To refill the U-Fill tool, simply remove the actuator from the large size bottle and insert the tube into the opening at the base of the tool. Apply pumping action until the tool is filled. The U-Fill Tool also has a carabiner, so customers can attach it to their bag, in transit, at work or at play.