Awards for artistry or what the consumer is willing to buy?

On the last day of October 2022, I came across an article on Fragrantica heralding the perfume houses that had won awards at the Beautyworld Middle East Awards 2022. The ‘Breakout Star Product of the Year’ was an EDP that is rumoured to have duped (or better said, had been inspired by) one of Creed 1760’s more popular fragrances. The comments section was not so congratulatory. Polarised, some claimed the houses were not deserving of those awards since the perfumes that won lacked originality and creativity. Others pointed out that those fragrances won votes because they were what perfume lovers were flocking to buy.

I understood both perspectives… agreed on the legitimacy of a good amount of what had been written by both sides of the debate, but what is it to be? Should fragrance awards be given to those who created the DNA and accompanying notes, or to those who found ways of making it improved and accessible to every fragrance lover, at every budget?

What are your thoughts? I won’t say there are no wrong answers, it sounds too cliché… but indeed there is no conclusion to be made, and furthermore, no need to come to a verdict. After all, if a coin can have two sides, then we can be mature enough to agree to disagree.

Do share your thoughts please.