The Fragrance Foundation Launches #FragranceForwardTFF To Advance Industry Diversity, Equity And Inclusion

The Fragrance Foundation (TFF) today announced #FragranceForwardTFF, a new initiative to advance, increase and sustain measurable levels of diversity, equity and inclusion in the fragrance industry. 

 

The initiative will harness the collective power of TFF's membership base to share and allocate dedicated resources towards education and scholarship programs, recruitment and outreach, as well as mentoring and networking opportunities.

 

“The Fragrance Foundation is committed to working with our members and the entire industry to make representation a priority,” said Linda G. Levy, president, The Fragrance Foundation. “This can only be achieved through a dedicated, sustainable effort, and through #FragranceForwardTFF, we're bringing together the entire community to align on actionable steps to ensure access to opportunities for all people, everywhere. Together, we are creating pathways for success – with the ultimate goal of shaping an industry that is a true reflection of the total population we all serve.”

 

In support of #FragranceForwardTFF, The Fragrance Foundation will present “Industry Perspectives on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion,” a free webinar, on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at noon. The virtual event will discuss the excitement and challenges of building a career in the fragrance industry with real-time insights from pioneering professionals who are making a difference every day. 

 

Panelists will include Chris Collins, Founder, World of Chris Collins; Corey Smith; head of Diversity and Inclusion for North America, LVMH; Rob Smith, CEO and Founder, The Phluid Project; and Linda Song, senior perfumer, Givaudan. Helen Shelton, global chief diversity officer and luxury brand marketing communications expert, Finn Partners, will moderate the discussion.

 

Fragrance Foundation DEI Signatory Pledge

 

A major element of #FragranceForwardTFF is the creation of an industry-wide, Fragrance Foundation DEI Signatory Pledge. TFF's 100+ members – that include both independent and corporate entities – will commit not only to furthering their respective DEI goals, but also pledging to assist TFF in building and shaping #FragranceForwardTFF in the months and years ahead. This will be achieved by sharing resources and creating opportunities for mentorship, educational advancement and more aggressive recruiting.

 

The Fragrance Foundation is also embarking on a series of virtual listening sessions and tours of institutions of higher learning to engage with students and to discuss ways in which they might enter the field. A TFF Career Paths series will premiere this week with students, faculty and alumni during homecoming at Spelman College, an historically Black institution in Atlanta. The session will be led by Levy along with Spelman alumna Sharné Jackson, TFF's Senior director of events, education and give back.

 

“As a global arbiter of luxury and style, LVMH is 100% dedicated to advancing DEI across all of our houses and brands – including fragrance,” said Smith. “We are proud and honored to stand with TFF to make the vision behind #FragranceForwardTFF a reality for years to come.”

Go here to register for the webinar.