Archive for November, 2011
Flower fashion on the up and up
It seems that green-fingered fanatics throughout the Midlands are waking up to the concept of combining fashion and flowers to come up with some original and unique floral masterpieces. Read on for inspiration if you like the idea of following in the footsteps of some of the most talented florists in the UK and using the most beautiful flowers Gloucester has available or finding an alternative use for the type of flowers Northampton residents can get hold of.
The most high-profile garden shows in 2011 have featured an interesting variety of exhibitions focussed on recreating the glitz and glamour of the cat walk using flowers. Hats, dresses and fascinators have been created out of the kind of flowers Leicester locals usually send as gifts any time an anniversary or birthday crops up.
While a floral theme has been used in clothing ranges for decades, rarely have items of clothing actually been made of flowers. Until now, that is. And while the ‘shelf life’ of these hats, dresses and fascinators may be limited due to obvious reasons, they still leave a lasting impression for their sheer beauty and ingenuity.
The rise in prominence of floral fashion design is inspiring a younger generation of people to get involved and start getting creative with chrysanthemums and resourceful with roses. The new trend is being helped on its way by the likes of Neil Whittaker.
Highly-rated Whittaker hit the headlines earlier this year when his exquisite cottage garden flower hat impressed enough for the Interflora florist to be named the Florist of the Year 2011 at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show. Competition was fierce among the finalists, but it was Whittaker who triumphed overall, much to his delight.
He said: “This was quite a challenge because you had to make the hat wearable and think about cottage garden flowers. How will they last throughout the day? Will they stand up?”
“I made a ring out of wire to give it a three dimensional look and the bow is made out of hessian.”
Whittaker added: “I’m ecstatic! All my hard work has paid off, and I’ve proved to the judges I have the skills, techniques and flair to turn my ideas into wonderful floral creations.
“Competitions always offer a great opportunity to learn, and I’ve certainly picked up a lot. It’s been a superb experience, and credit should go to everyone for the exceptionally high standard of work on show this year.”