Virginia Bonofiglio began her forty plus year career in the fragrance and cosmetic industries at the Givaudan Corporation where she trained in perfumery. Subsequently she held executive positions at Monsanto Flavor/Essence, BBA, Florasynth, TFF, and Felton Worldwide. She developed fragrances, evaluation protocols, and innovative new products for the beauty sector.
Virginia’s expertise extended beyond perfumery into fragrance sensory studies, beauty marketing, brand strategy, and corporate management. She worked extensively with the Fragrance Foundation on their original online Fragrance Certification program for retailers. Most recently Professor Bonofiglio worked with Yellowbrick and Women’s Wear Daily to produce a video- based educational program entitled, Beauty Business Essentials. This online program captures the unknown nuances of working in the beauty business and provides insights into the real-life experiences of beauty executives across all categories.
For over 20 years Virginia has been a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology where she spearheaded, in conjunction with Annette Green, President Emeritus of the Fragrance Foundation, the creation of the only Fragrance Studio on a college campus in the United States. This laboratory continues to provide one of a kind, hands on experiences in cosmetic product development and fragrances creation. A specialized curriculum was created to fully utilize the laboratory for the Cosmetic & Fragrance Marketing undergraduate program. Courses in product development, fragrance creation, color cosmetics, and cosmetic science utilize this state-of-the-art facility.
Today as Chair of the CFM program, Professor Bonofiglio continues to prepare students for executive positions across the beauty sector. The program’s core courses include Beauty Marketing for the Digital Age, Finance for the Creative Industries, Global Brand Management, Beauty Entrepreneurship, and Packaging Design, in addition to all of the technical laboratory-based curriculum.
Professor Bonofiglio also designed a certificate program in perfumery for the School of Continuing Education at the Fashion Institute of Technology and a variety of high school classes for students interested in exploring beauty as a career path.
Today, as the Chairperson of the Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing Department at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Virginia Bonofiglio remains devoted to enabling the next generation of beauty and fragrance aficionados fulfill their dreams.
