The Institute for Art and Olfaction (IAO) has announced the finalists for the 12th Annual Art and Olfaction Awards, recognizing excellence in independent, artisan and experimental perfumery from creators around the world.
Held annually, the awards celebrate innovation, craftsmanship and artistic achievement in fragrance, with a focus on work that expands the cultural and creative boundaries of scent. The program has become known for highlighting emerging and established voices across the global independent perfume community.
Finalists were selected through a three-stage blind-judging process conducted by an international panel that included perfumers, critics, artists and industry professionals. According to the organization, entries were evaluated solely on artistic and technical merit to ensure an independent review process.
“In our twelfth year, we are excited to continue to bring the Art and Olfaction Awards to global capitals with vibrant and exciting independent perfume scenes,” said Institute for Art and Olfaction founder Saskia Wilson-Brown. Institute of Art and Olfaction
The finalists are as follows:
Independent Category
- Chinese Calligraphy, d'Annam, Anh Ngo (Perfumer) / Nick Hoang (CD)
- Crème de Menthe Café, Statik Olfactive, Hez Binkowitz (Perfumer) / Chris Martin (CD)
- Deity, Ataraxia, Sy Truong (Perfumer) / Tudor Ristea (CD)
- Grounded Hills, Dan Lo, Kaiwei Hsieh (Perfumer) / Terrence Chen (CD)
- Ici, le pas s’arrête, Terra•T, Kaiwei Hsieh (Perfumer) / Terrence Chen (CD)
- Japanese Whiskey, d'Annam, Anh Ngo (Perfumer) / Nick Hoang (CD)
- Laban Arruz, nBitor, Miguel Matos (Perfumer) / Thomas Dennis & Raul Falcon (CD)
- Nuit Élastique, Première Peau, Ugo Charron (Perfumer) / Pierre Mergui (CD)
- Torreja Sacra, nBitor, Miguel Matos (Perfumer) / Thomas Dennis & Raul Falcon (CDs)
- Verdant, Ilé Olomu, Andreas Wilhem (Perfumer) / Bawo Ijirigho (CD)
Artisan Category
- Aethi Opum, Maya Njie, Maya Njie (Perfumer)
- Ambrosia, Aysha Hansen Fine Fragrances, Aysha Hansen (Perfumer)
- Dandelion Butter, Clue Perfumery, Laura Oberwetter (Perfumer)
- Death By Vanity, Rivendare, David Clarke (Perfumer)
- DinoS'mores, House of Mammoth, Benjamin Esposito (Perfumer)
- Eclipse, Ermetiche Fragranze, Raffaella Meccheri (Perfumer)
- Hoàng Trà, Maison de Nguyễn, Nguyen Do (Perfumer)
- Hotteok, KST Scent, James Miju Nguyen (Perfumer)
- Snippid, House of Mammoth, Benjamin Esposito (Perfumer)
- Vanitas, Lvnea Perfume, April Lea (Perfumer)
Sadakichi Award for Experimental Work with Scent
- El Espacio Vientre, Delcy Morelos (Artist) / Nadjib Achaibou (Perfumer)
- Goavve-Geabbil (Hyundai Commission), Máret Ánne Sara (Artist) / Nadjib Achaibou (Perfumer)
- Hang Our Gods, Regina Mamou (Artist / Perfumer)
- The Anemoia Device, Cyrus Clarke (Artist / Perfumer)
- Three Kings, Sigrid Moses-Jacobsen (Artist / Perfumer)
The program has become known for highlighting emerging and established voices across the global independent perfume community.Institute of Art and Olfaction
“In our twelfth year, we are excited to continue to bring the Art and Olfaction Awards to global capitals with vibrant and exciting independent perfume scenes,” said Institute for Art and Olfaction founder Saskia Wilson-Brown. “The entire awards team, including our incredible roster of dedicated judges, is thrilled to celebrate global excellence in scent-making in the great city of Athens—one of the world’s important centers for philosophy, art, culture, and, increasingly, perfumery.”
Winners across all categories will be announced live during the 12th Annual Art and Olfaction Awards Ceremony on June 11, 2026, at the Gazarte Cultural Center in Athens. The event is designed to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of contemporary olfactory practice while providing a platform for both emerging and established fragrance creators.
“We are planning a glamorous but friendly celebration of excellence in independent, artisan and experimental work with scent, in one of Athens’ most important cultural spaces, complete with a view of the Acropolis,” Wilson-Brown said. “The awards are for the community, and everyone is welcome.”
