Some women just never lose their glamour, appeal or their long-lasting effect on an entire industry. Such has been the case with Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who introduced her first simple fragrance in 1921 and changed the course of beauty.

Thus, on its 40th anniversary of the FiFi Awards, the Board of Directors of The Fragrance Foundation will induct Chanel into The 2012 FiFi Hall of Fame during the ceremony on Monday May 21st, 2012. The FiFi Hall of Fame award is voted on by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and is presented to an individual who has brought extraordinary ingenuity, creativity, dedication and inner resources to bear, not only to their company’s success but to the fragrance industry as a whole.

“It is quite astonishing that in the year 2012, a fragrance introduced in 1921 and simply named Chanel No 5, prevails as one of the most enduring and iconic symbols of style, elegance and modern scent creativity the world has ever known,” says Jill Belasco, chair of The Fragrance Foundation. “Chanel fragrances have reached near mythical status thanks to the vision of Coco Chanel, her enduring commitment to in-house master perfumery and an uncompromising commitment to luxury and quality. To this day, men and women everywhere delight in wearing fragrances marked by the entwined double C’s of Chanel.”

“We are very pleased that The Fragrance Foundation is recognizing Coco Chanel for her lasting impact and ongoing influence over the world of fragrance, and we thank The Board of Directors of The Fragrance Foundation for this significant recognition,” says Christine Dagousset, U.S. Executive Vice President, Fragrance & Beauty, Chanel, Inc. “Mademoiselle Chanel is a guiding inspiration in all we do at Chanel, and we are proud of the infinite contribution she has made to the worlds of modern fashion, beauty and fragrance.”