The Fragrance Foundation will honor Art Spiro, executive vice president, global fragrance innovation Elizabeth Arden, at the 14th Circle of Champions Roast on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013 at New York's St. Regis Hotel.
The Circle of Champions Award recipient is selected by the board of directors for his extraordinary impact on the fragrance industry. Donald Loftus, Parlux Ltd.'s president, will serve as Roastmaster.
“During his illustrious career, Art has led the development of some of the industry’s most landmark scents,” said Elizabeth Musmanno, president of The Fragrance Foundation and The Musmanno Group. “Few executives are as hands-on and benevolent as Art.”
“I am very honored to be chosen by my peers and to join the ranks of multi-talented past honorees such as Thia Breen, Ann Gottlieb and Leonard Lauder, just to name a few,” said Art Spiro. “The beauty industry is comprised of so many talented and innovative people, and I feel as I have just been awarded a membership to the inner circle.”
Art develops the Elizabeth Arden brand fragrances as well as many of its licensed fragrances on a global basis. The company's fragrance portfolio includes the Elizabeth Arden Untold, Red Door, and 5th avenue fragrances, the celebrity fragrance brands of Britney Spears, Elizabeth Taylor, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, and Usher; the designer fragrance brands of Juicy Couture, Alfred Sung, BCBCMAXAZRIA, Ed Hardy, Geoffrey Beene, Halston, John Varvatos, Lucky Brand, True Religion and Rocawear, and the lifestyle fragrance brands Curve, Giorgio Beverly Hills, and PS Fine Cologne.
Prior to joining Elizabeth Arden, Art spent a total of 15 years at Liz Claiborne Cosmetics where he served as president and was responsible for all aspects of the Liz Claiborne brand’s business development. He was a pivotal part of the Juicy Couture women’s fragrance launch in Fall 2006, which achieved record-breaking sales numbers and won three FIFI awards. He also launched the Usher master brand in Fall 2007, which became the number one fragrance introduction of the year. Art had previously led the creation and launch of Curve for Men and Curve for Women in 1996, one of the first master brand concepts in the fragrance industry.
Art has served as president of Guerlain, Parfums Kenzo, and Acqua di Parma. He spent 13 years at Christian Dior perfumes, culminating as vice president of marketing, where he helped launch the Poison and Fahrenheit brands. Art serves as a board member of the Fragrance Foundation and the Personal Care Products Council, and he was a mentor for students at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.