dsm-firmenich’s Honorine Blanc honoured with TFF Lifetime Achievement Perfumer Award
The honour was voted on by the TFF executive committee and the heads of five fragrance houses on the board in recognition of a perfumer whose work has made a major contribution to the industry
USA – Honorine Blanc, master perfumer at dsm-firmenich, was honoured with The Fragrance Foundation USA’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Perfumer Award at the Fragrance Foundation Awards held June 11, 2026, in New York City.
Patrick Firmenich, executive and former CEO of Firmenich, presented the award, while Blanc thanked the “American Dream” in her acceptance speech and reflected on her journey from Beirut to Paris at 16, where she turned to mathematics, chemistry and eventually perfumery before building her career in New York.
She has created more than 200 perfumes for more than 50 leading brands, including Yves Saint Laurent, Juicy Couture, Goldfield & Banks, House of Bo and Valentino, and colleagues at The Estée Lauder Companies praised her style, vision, precision and impressionistic approach.
Her latest creation, Cedar Jasmine 1986, was made especially for the evening and scented the theater lobby, while Blanc urged perfumers to stay true to their vision and embrace discipline, resilience, creative courage and authenticity.
The evening also featured the Hall of Fame Award, which Estée Lauder Companies Executive Vice President Jane Herzmark Hudi presented to Jamie Nordstrom, chief merchandising officer of Nordstrom Inc., on behalf of the retailer.
The award recognized Nordstrom’s leadership and its lasting influence on the American fragrance business, with the company tracing its growth from a single Seattle store in 1901 to a retail destination built around fashion, beauty and service.
In his remarks, Nordstrom said the fragrance business grows through people, not transactions, and stressed that loyalty comes from helping customers look and feel their best.
The ceremony also paid tribute to late fashion icons Valentino Garavani and Giorgio Armani through remarks by Iman and Michelle Pfeiffer, with Iman calling Valentino a symbol of extraordinary and inclusive beauty and Pfeiffer describing Armani as kind, generous and loyal.
Additional presenters included Kelsea Ballerini, Dwyane Wade, Vera Wang, Cassandra Grey, Wed Gordan, Wonny Lee, Su Min Park, and artist Melissa Koby, who contributed two scent-inspired works.
The night’s category winners included Rare Beauty, Tom Ford, Valentino Beauty, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada Beauty, Miu Miu Beauty, Jo Malone London, Nest New York, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, and LBTY.
Beauty, Pura, Ralph Lauren and Guerlain, among others, across fragrance, consumer choice, innovation, packaging and home scent categories.
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