Fashion And Flowers Forge Show Alliance

Fashion And Flowers Forge Alliance For Ellerslie Flower Show

They both scream fun, flair and fabulous – so what better combination is there than flowers and fashion?

The perennially popular Ellerslie Flower Show has forged a three-year alliance with Fashion Industry NZ (FINZ), which will see the country’s leading designers and florists working together at the 10th anniversary event.

Chief executive Cath Handley said many big-name New Zealand fashion designers such as Tanya Carlson, State of Grace and Paula Ryan were being teamed with leading floral designers and their resulting collaboration would be on show in this year’s Floral Marquee.

“The theme for the marquee is ‘Brilliance – Fashion, Flowers and Fantasy’ and, given the calibre of the Kiwi fashion designers that we have attracted and the outstanding florists, I have no doubt it will be truly spectacular.”

Ms Handley said exhibiting florists would create a floral interpretation of the fashion designer’s creation. “The fashion expert will create an original design and the florist will interpret various elements as they see fit.”

Professional florists and floral societies will take part, working with both top name designers and emerging artists. Participants include Tanya Carlson from Dunedin, Takaaki Sakaguchi from Christchurch, Annah Stretton from Morrinsville and, from Auckland, Doris de Pont, Caroline Church from State Of Grace, Susie Walker from Vamp, Angela Hood of Saga/Soulo, Claire Kingan-Jones of RJC and Paula Ryan.

FINZ chair Susie Walker said the organisation had signed up as a supporting sponsor of the floral marquee for the next three years.

“We see this as a unique opportunity for the New Zealand fashion industry to be involved in such a high profile event as the Ellerslie Flower Show. It allows designers to showcase their originality to a much wider audience while providing the florists with an exciting theme to demonstrate their creativity.”

The idea to link florists and fashion came from well-known designer Gaye Bartlett, who will be overseeing the Brilliance project.

“Fashion designers and floral artists have much in common – they’re both fascinated by form and colour, full of imagination and wonderfully creative. This is going to be a very stimulating partnership,” she said.

Ms Handley said the full line-up of designers would be confirmed within the next few weeks.

She also said the Show would have a “fashion zone” this year – with FINZ designers creating a range of original T-shirts to be sold exclusively at the show to celebrate its 10th birthday.

“We said our anniversary show would be bigger and better and our association with the thriving New Zealand fashion industry is an example of this. Flowers and fashion are a perfect fit and we’re delighted to have FINZ on board in such a major way.”

The 2004 Ellerslie Flower Show is being held at the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens from 23 to 28 November.

Tickets for the 2004 Ellerslie Flower Show are on sale from Monday 5 July from Ticketek outlets nationwide.

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