The Jasmine Awards, launched in the UK in 1990 by the Fragrance & Beauty Association, celebrated their 20th anniversary at BAFTA, Piccadilly, London W1, on 3rd February 2010. Presiding over the event was Jasmine Chief Executive, Rod Kelley, a former Chairman of the Awards, who announced the winners in nine categories of prizes for the best articles written on the subject of fragrance in 2009.

Jasmine Literary Award (magazine): The prize went to Tony Marcus for his article “Notorious Leather”, published in the July issue of 10 magazine.

Jasmine Literary Award (news press): The award went to Lucia van der Post for her article “Seducer of the Senses” published in the 3rd October issue of FT How to Spend It.   Both Literary Awards were presented by novelist and journalist Sally Brampton.

Jasmine Visual Award: Chairman of the Jasmine Awards judging panel Catherine Mitchell  presented the prize to Suzanne Duckett on behalf of Good Housekeeping magazine for "Scents to Savour" published in the November issue. Suzanne Duckett was responsible for concept, stylist was Lesley Sendall and photographer Patrice de Villiers.

Jasmine ‘Soundbite’ (magazine):  This category was won by Sophie Dahl for "Scent Review” published in the October issue of Vogue. In her absence the prize was accepted by Nicola Moulton

Jasmine ‘Soundbite’ (news press): The award was won by Sarah Vine for her article "Out of the Woods" published in The Times Saturday magazine on 4th July.

Best Practical Guide to Fragrance: Annalise Quest, Beauty Director of Harrods, presented the award to Lisa Oxenham for her article "The Power of Flowers" published in the November issue of Marie Claire.

Best Article on Men’s Fragrance: Fashion designer Jacques Azagury, was delighted to present the prize to Henry Farrar-Hockley for his article "Dark Star" published in Esquire magazine’s December issue.

Best Article in a Customer Magazine:  Jan Masters won this category for her article entitled “Scents of Adventure” published in the May/June issue of Harrods magazine.

Best Website Feature on Fragrance.  The prize went to Walker Minton for "Double Deckers, Disappointments and Excellence" which appeared on basenotes.net on 1st August.

To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Jasmine Awards, a special award for Outstanding Contribution to Excellence in Fragrance Journalism, was presented to Vicci Bentley by Kenneth Green, a former Chairman of the Awards.

From 1st April 2010  the Fragrance Foundation will take over the administration of the Jasmine Awards.

Further information from Liz Higgins, Jasmine Awards Administration,  Tel: 01798 861934 email: liz@blue-inc.co.uk

The 2009 Jasmine Awards, the oldest established and most prestigious awards in beauty journalism, will be held on Wednesday 3rd February 2010. 

Once again the breakfast ceremony to honour the winners will be held at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London W1.

The Jasmine Awards Committee is delighted to announce the 2009 panel of judges who will select the winners in nine award categories.  Chairing the judging panel for a third year is fragrance industry executive Catherine Mitchell.  For 2009 she is joined by designer Jacques Azagury, columnist Sally Brampton, writer Lady Selina Hastings, fashion expert Sarah Mower and retailer Annalise Quest.

Catherine Mitchell - Chairman of Judging Panel
Passionate about fine fragrance, Chairman of Judges Catherine Mitchell has for the past 18 years worked for IFF, one of the world’s leading creators and suppliers of fragrance. During her career she has worked for IFF in Paris as well as an exciting two year term at the global headquarters in New York.
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Jacques Azagury
Born in Casablanca, Jacques Azagury was educated in London. Following courses at the London College of Fashion and St Martins School of Art, he was talent spotted by Browns who bought his first collection.
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Sally Brampton
Sally Brampton began her career on Vogue before moving to the Observer as fashion editor. She launched Elle in the UK, which she edited for five years, leaving to write full time. She has published several novels, a television documentary and a screenplay, and has written extensively for all major national newspapers and magazines.
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Lady Selina Hastings
Lady Selina Hastings is a writer and journalist. After leaving Oxford, her first job was at Hatchard’s bookshop, after which she worked for 14 years on the Daily Telegraph and 8 years as literary editor of Harper's & Queen. 
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Sarah Mower
Sarah Mower is a highly respected fashion journalist, critic and style-commentator who is a contributing editor to US  Vogue and style.com. She writes a regular column for The Telegraph and edited A Journal of Fashion Illustration.
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Annalise Quest
Annalise Quest joined Harrods in 1997 and for a three year period was Buyer for the Beauty Apothecary, leaving in 2002 to join the American spa brand Bliss. During her five years at Bliss, Annalise oversaw a 500% growth of the company, becoming Vice-President of Global Sales in 2004, which meant her time was divided between London and New York.
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Jasmine Awards Chairman for 2009-10, Guy de Beaugrenier, MD of Guerlain, comments:  "The Jasmine Awards are the oldest established awards in the beauty industry. The Jasmine Committee’s first responsibility is to elect a panel of judges whose knowledge, intellect and achievements equip them to judge the literary excellence demanded of contestants seeking to win one of the prestigious Jasmine prizes. We believe that the 2009 Panel entirely fulfills this aim."

The 2009 Awards ceremony will take place on 3rd February 2010 at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London W.1. 

Please click here to read more about the panel of judges in the 2009 Jasmine Awards.

In 1989 the famous fragrance house, Guerlain, was instrumental in bringing The Jasmine Awards to the UK from Paris, and Jasmine’s very first Chairman was Julian Greenaway of Guerlain UK. In the House’s 180th year, Guerlain again supported The Jasmine Awards in providing a very special treat for beauty press when, on 21st October 2008, the head of the House of Guerlain, Jean-Paul Guerlain, spoke of his life as one of the world’s leading perfumers in an hour long interview with Josephine Fairley in the Orchid Room of the Dorchester hotel.

The Jasmine Awards are the oldest established and most prestigious awards in beauty journalism, introduced into the UK by The Fragrance and Beauty Association of Great Britain in 1989. Entries are invited from magazine and news media for the 2009 Awards. Any article on the subject of fragrance, published between the 1st January and 31st December 2009 is eligible. Please go to prizes for the entry categories and explanation.