A Night of Olfactory Excellence: The 5th Golden Pineapple Fragrance Awards
The fifth annual Golden Pineapple Fragrance Awards recently captivated attendees at the Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa, transforming a Saturday evening into a dazzling celebration of the perfumery world. This prestigious event brought together an eclectic mix of industry pioneers, visionary artists, and passionate enthusiasts, all converging to honor outstanding achievements in scent creation. From the moment guests stepped into the Laguna Beach ballroom, they were enveloped in an atmosphere rich with the aroma of exquisite perfumes and the palpable excitement of anticipation. The evening served not merely as an awards ceremony but as a vibrant showcase of individual expression, artistic innovation, and the compelling narratives that infuse the world of fine fragrances.
The event, held on the evening of Saturday, June 28th, 2025, began with an air of sophisticated intrigue. An early arrival at 7:40 PM allowed for quiet observation before the official 8:00 PM start, revealing a lingering, distinguished aroma of dark leather, black tea, tobacco, black ink, and peat moss. This distinctive scent, later confirmed to be 'Ned E. Williams' from Pink MahogHany, foreshadowed the presence of its esteemed creator, Chavalia Dunlap-Mwamba. Her subsequent arrival, marked by her striking appearance and gracious confirmation of the fragrance's enduring potency, underscored the profound impact of the olfactory art on display.
As the room gradually filled, each new arrival contributed to a dynamic display of personal style and flair, turning the awards into a fashion spectacle. Joseph D. Solís, founder of Maison Solís, entered with charismatic presence, his unique attire complementing the vibrant energy. The diversity of attendees, ranging from social media personalities like Raymond Ortega of Haus of Darling to the elegantly traditional áo dài worn by Kael Jeon of KST Scent and James 'Miju' Nguyen of d.grayi, painted a vivid picture of the fragrance community's broad appeal and creativity. Michael Garrett of 86 West Fragrances added to the star-studded gathering, highlighting the collective brilliance assembled for the night.
The awards ceremony, expertly hosted by Jason Arshan of Arshan Persia, commenced around 8:30 PM, each category unveiling new champions of scent. 'Single Shot' by Nose of Gatsby claimed the 'Best Summer Fragrance' award, its creator Gatsby Yeh sharing the personal journey behind the ocean-inspired scent. 'In10sive Lust' from 86 West was recognized as the 'Most Seductive Fragrance,' while '100% Magic' by Puppet Parfum won 'Best Unisex Fragrance.' Subsequent accolades, including 'Best Limited Edition' for Imaginary Authors' 'Dipped in Chocolate,' 'Best Men's' for Tom Ford's 'Black Lacquer,' and 'Best Women's' for Creed's 'Queen of Silk,' underscored the breadth of innovation within the industry. Zaharoff's 'Signature Bloom' and 'Precious Treasure Ltd' secured awards for 'Best Floral' and 'Best Presentation,' respectively, with Jensen Fragrances' 'Muskalero' winning 'Best Spring Fragrance,' and Xyrena’s 'Trick ‘r Treat' for 'Best Fall Fragrance.'
Further categories celebrated unique olfactive achievements: 'Nightcap' by Guy Fox received 'Best Winter Fragrance,' 'Muffin Man' from Chanceaux was honored as 'Best Gourmand,' and Sarah Baker's 'Peach's Revenge' triumphed in 'Best Fruity Fragrance.' Fulton & Roark's 'The Window' was named 'Best Scent for Daytime,' and Tomavicci's 'Ange Noir XXI' took 'Best Scent for Night.' 'Surge' by LabHouse concluded the category awards by winning 'Best Aquatic Fragrance.' The evening reached its emotional apex with d.grayi being named 'House of the Year,' its co-founder James Nguyen delivering a moving acceptance speech that reflected on his journey from homelessness to industry recognition and advocated for global human rights. Pink MahogHany's 'Ned E. Williams' and 'Ada Williams' earned the 'Best Fragrance Duo' award, celebrated by Chavalia Dunlap-Mwamba as a tribute to her ancestors. The 'Peer Industry Award' was presented to Thin Wild Mercury, and 'Blackwood & Bourbon' by Elysian won 'Best Woody Fragrance,' with its founder Jessi Park sharing her vision for creating masculine scents.
The culmination of the evening saw James Nguyen of d.grayi receiving the coveted 'Perfumer of the Year' award, acknowledging his significant contributions to the art of perfumery and his recent transition to full-time work in the field. His dedication and passion resonated deeply, solidifying his stature within the community. The ultimate honor, 'Fragrance of the Year,' was bestowed upon d.grayi's 'Honey Bunny,' completing an unprecedented sweep of the major categories—House of the Year, Perfumer of the Year, and Fragrance of the Year—a testament to the brand's innovative spirit and the captivating appeal of this unique scent. 'Honey Bunny,' with its intricate blend of honey, chrysanthemum tea, fluffy fur texture, manuka blossom, carrot, beeswax, and fresh hay notes, perfectly encapsulated the evening's celebration of creativity, diversity, and excellence in the world of fragrance. The night concluded with guests departing with gift bags, filled with samples, symbolizing the enduring spirit of discovery and connection that permeated the event.