5 minute read
THE BLONDS
By Jill Brooke
Photograpy: Top and bottom: Netflix; floral arrangement Renny & Reed What is the spark that ignites or sustains creative genius? For the fashion designer Halston, whose story is now streaming on Netflix starring Ewan McGregor in the title role, he needed to be surrounded by luminous sensual orchids.
In fact, when funds were tight during his early days, his assistant tells him to cut down on orchids to save money for the firm. He dismissively replied, that no, that would be impossible. Why? Because the orchids were “part of my process.”
As he was honing the minimalist style that would make him world-famous, the orchids centered him. Plus, their lack of scent didn’t distract him from creating his innovative designs using cashmere and Ultrasuede that had the design world panting in awe of his every move.
“Orchids were all over his place, both at home and in the office,” says Halston biographer Steven Gaines, whose book the Netflix series referenced. “Back then, orchids were really expensive and not plentiful. Only the rich could afford them.”
As the Cut reported, Halston would spend over $100,000 a year for these rare prized flowers.
The flair he used to put them in pots all over his residences inspired a trend that exists today as so many contemporary homes have large orchids scattered on hallway consoles and living room cocktail tables.
Halston would get his prized flowers from floral designer Renny Reynolds, of Renny & Reed in New York City and Palm Beach. Reynolds told Vogue that the designer had a “burgundy Gae Aluenti table that he would pile up with white phalaenopsis orchids.”
Interior decorator Jeffrey Bilhuber added that Halston made orchids “seem not a rarity but a necessity. They looked just amazing – sensuous without being romantic, and floral without being flowery.”
“He also always had votives all over,” recalls Gaines. “Like much about him, he went overboard.”
Director Mark Minahan was attracted to the Halston story because the designer, born Roy Halston Frowick, “taught people how to brand and market themselves. He was the first celebrity designer in America.”
The Netflix series shows how Halston leveraged his single, invented name into a worldwide fashion empire that’s synonymous with luxury, sex, status and fame, literally defining the era he lived in – 1970’s and ‘80’s New York — until a hostile takeover forces him to battle for control of his most precious asset – the name Halston itself. In fact, he started out creating Jackie Kennedy’s famous pillbox hat and then transitioned to women’s clothing and started a ready-to-wear line.
FLOWER POWER DAILY
By Jill Brooke
The cameras were clicking and the smiles were beaming as the public oohed and aahed over the creative talents of some of Florida’s most inspiring floral artists interpreting the theme of supporting breast cancer research. Many retail stores now are creating floral sculptures and installations which become catnip to the public and enhance their brand too. In fact, the Bride Candy’s extraordinary peacock with feathery soft pink plumes became the go-to place for Instagram moments.
In the category of Most Realistic design, Gilded Group Decor created this mannequin sponsored by Chopard. The judges loved the intricacy of the braided bodice. Many artists chose to use rose petals or pressed orchids, but this braided bodice was simply and elegant as was the flow of the dress.
In the category of Most Original design, the winner was Hayal Flowers sponsored by the Fisher Island Community which raised $1.4 million to help those impacted by th-e pandemic. And here they are sponsoring a floral sculpture since flowers have been such a soothing comforting elixir to so many this year. colorful tropical palms, lush roses and anthurium, it was also accessorized with a pearl necklace of white hypericum berries. The rainbow of multicolored blooms infused in this creation was like a kaleidoscope of good karma and the headdress was also happy and chic.
Notice the detail of how she is looking at the mirror which the artist said is a message to encourage appreciating and reflecting on life this year no matter what comes your way.
In the category of Best in Show, Aniska Creations won for this fab floral dress with zebra print top made of preserved fern in black and white - that matched the shoes. Her skirt complimented the animal print with hot pink roses that were finished with step grass to emulate the appearance of ostrich feathers. Cool right? Also liked how this mother-daughter team inverted a rose as an earring. Nice touch don’t you think? Turns out Anais Vivas was a pop singer in Venezuela before joining her mom’s floral business.
Speaking of creativity, we all know that one of the emotional triggers of the disease is when one loses their hair. Check out how Raphael Lopez and Harrison Gabor created a blowdryer out of dried bunny tail and moss to tell a story. In this sculpture, they used coconut husk to illustrate new growth of hair and then a crown of hair blooming out of the scalp to show how a better tomorrow is around the corner. Loved the use of coconut shells as well in the dress and the dark calla lilies and garnet roses.
Artists get inspiration from many sources. I loved how Luxury Design Miami looked at this Lafayette jacket and built the whole concept around it. The strips of greenery used in the poncho pants - which is trending - was so inspired and this outfit felt modern and fun. So chic isn’t it?
Another jaw-popping beautiful exhibit was this one from La Feterie sponsored by Whispering Angel. The blue hydrangeas at the bottom were used since the company’s farm Chateau d”Esclans is lined with rows of memorable blue hydrangeas.
The hundreds of roses in the skirt were of different sizes, small, big, white ivory and pink, to reflect how everyone can be affected. The dress was glamorous with in its design but the wings were purposely expansive. After all, we need angels in our lives to get through any challenge, flowers to cheer us up and inspire us and we also need on occasion a nice sparkling glass of rose or champagne.
