Nicolas Mirzayantz (L) is honored by Leonard Lauder (R), Chairman Emeritus of the Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., at the Fragrance Foundation’s Circle of Champions gala in the Onyx Room at the Park Hyatt New York.
Leave it to Leonard Lauder to remind us that America is a great country. A country that needs its artists to keep creating—in spite of the dysfunction in Washington.
As the scion of an immigrant family whose mother became one of the greatest business geniuses of the 20th century, Lauder, the current Chairman Emeritus of the Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., addressed an adoring audience of fragrance aficionados at the annual Circle of Champions gala hosted by the Fragrance Foundation.
From left to right: H.R.H. Princess Marina of Greece, Nicolas Mirzayantz, Linda G. Levy, and Tigran Mirzayantz in the Onyx Room for the Fragrance Foundation’s Circle of Champions gala
Impeccable in black tie (“Tom Ford,” he said merrily, flashing the label), Lauder was the distinguished guest in a roomful of fragrance dignitaries who assembled in the Onyx Room at the Park Hyatt New York to celebrate the creative vision of Nicolas Mirzayantz, Group President, Fragrances, International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF).
But before introducing Mirzayantz and inducting the fragrance genius into the Foundation’s Circle of Champions, Lauder took time at the podium to speak about the joys of the fragrance world with heartfelt remarks based on his years in the industry. Exhibiting the incandescence of a Broadway star, the octogenarian regaled the enraptured crowd with tales of the early years of his mother’s company and the phenomenal success of Estée Lauder’s Youth-Dew. Lauder’s one-word suggestion for fragrance success brought down the house: “Samples!” he exhorted. “Samples!”
The Fragrance Foundation Circle of Champions gala in the Onyx Room at the Park Hyatt New York
Apart from Lauder, the honoree was feted by Linda Levy, president of the Fragrance Foundation, who warned the crowd that the evening was destined to be a veritable lovefest. For the well-loved Mirzayantz, the accolades filled the evening’s twenty-page program and rang through the rose-infused room. During the course of his 30-year career, Mirzayantz has been instrumental in the creation of such fragrances as Estée Lauder Beautiful, Estée Lauder Youth Dew, Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, Aramis, Clinique Happy, Clinique Aromatics Elixir, as well as fragrances by Tom Ford.
In the words of Ann Gottlieb, President, Ann Gottlieb Associates, Mirzayantz has been a dreamer whose love of travel has fueled a passion for the world and its pleasures, qualities that have served him throughout his professional and personal life.
(From left to right): Darius Mirzayantz, H.R.H. Princess Marina of Greece, Princess Alexandra of Greece, Tigran Mirzayantz
As Mirzayantz noted in his generous and self-effacing acceptance speech, one of his greatest joys has been to work alongside his heroes, amongst whom he included his family—and Lauder.
In a room that was infused with IFF’s Rose Essential, Lauder reminded us that scent influences mood—and in understanding that concept, Lauder suggested, scent has the power to influence hope. For as every fragrance lover knows intuitively, fragrance recognizes no territorial boundaries. We are all free to inhale—and be inspired.
Nicolas Mirzayantz at the Fragrance Foundation Circle of Champions gala
Founded in 1949, the Fragrance Foundation is a non-profit institution whose mission is to promote and share the love of fragrance. The Foundation’s membership includes more than 80 of the world’s most renowned corporations in the world of fragrance. The annual Fragrance Foundation Awards will take place at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, June 12th, 2018 at Alice Tully Hall in New York City.