The Fragrance Foundation is celebrating National Fragrance Day today, on March 21st -- and to mark the occasion, the organization commissioned photographer Michael Avedon to shoot a special portrait series featuring 15 esteemed perfumers.

The portrait series debuted on March 5th at a reception at The Italian Trade Commission, and it is now on display at the Fragrance Foundation's headquarters in New York City. The portraits will be presented as gifts to the perfumers.

Photo above: Sabine de Tscharner, perfumer, Firmenich; Linda G. Levy, president, The Fragrance Foundation, and photographer Michael Avedon. Photo by BFA Agency. 

The Perfumers in the Portrait Series

The portrait series is meant to celebrate the artistry of fragrance -- and the perfumers who are the artists of the global fragrance industry.

Avedon asked each perfumer to pose with a significant item of their choice. These ranged from a Moroccan rug to a miniature dream catcher, a handful of vetiver to a pair of flamenco dancing shoes—and one very large painting. See more photos here. 

The perfumers featured in the series are:

• Firmenich: Gabriela Chelariu, Sabine De Tsharner, Clement Gavarry, Frank Voelkl
• Givaudan: Olivier Gillotin, Adriana Medina, Caroline Sabas
• IFF: Celine Barel, Jean-Marc Chaillan, Laurent Le Guernec
• MANE: Patricia Choux
• Robertet: Marie Huguenot, Donna Ramanauskas
• Symrise: Nathalie Benareau
• Takasago: Catherine Selig

Linda G. Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation, says, "Michael Avedon is an insightful and cerebral photographer. We admire his extraordinary ability to relate to his subjects behind the camera and be able to capture their individual personalities. He is the natural choice to shine the spotlight on this acclaimed group of perfumers."

Avedon adds, "It was an absolute pleasure working with the Fragrance Foundation. Linda Levy and her team put forth such a wonderful enthusiasm unto the world of Fragrance and it was such delight to experience how passionate the perfumers were about their craft!"