Spring was literally in the air at the recent Fleurotica Fashion Show where all of the breathtaking designs were constructed of flowers, leaves and other plant materials! More than 300 people enjoyed this runway competition benefitting Garfield Park Conservatory presented by leading floral designers and one real life fashion designer, Peach Carr.
The evening included an Iron Florist competition between two Park District volunteers, Matt Barrett and Peter Vrotsos, with each creating an arrangement from the same materials within 15 minutes. They were both equally stunning and were auctioned off later in the live auction.
Presenting designers included Anna Held, Event Creative, Bakman Floral Designs, Flower Child, Flower Petal, Green Jeans, Ildiko Phillips Designs, Juicy Designs, Blumgarten & Co., Natural Beauties Floral, Peach Carr Designs, Scarlet Petal, Stemline Creative and Whole Foods Market South Loop. There were designs made from moss, succulents, leaves and every kind of flower imaginable. There was even a real “tulip skirt” presented by Whole Foods! Juicy Designs featured the Virgin Mary made from carnations, daisies and roses who closed her segment with praying hands. A bride floated down the runway, again created by Whole Foods, in a tulle gown completely covered with white rose petals. At the end of the runway, she tossed her bouquet into the crowd.
Eunita Rushing, President of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance who presented the event, introduced two students from the Green Teens Program. Patrick Grandberrry and Zatiana Ross told the audience their favorite parts of the program were learning about plants and how to create resumes for after school jobs.
Event Chair Richard Wester did an outstanding job along with judges Dennis Remer (Frost Production), Christy Webber (Christy Webber Landscapes), Borris Powell (designer) and Adam Schwerner (Director of Natural Resources for the Chicago Park District). NBC’s LeeAnn Trotter returned again this year as the delightful emcee.
More than $119,000 was raised to benefit Garfield Park Conservatory’s programs and to repair their storm damaged roof devastated by last summer’s hailstorm.
Fab fotos by Caitlin Saville Collins and moi. For extended coverage, please visit www.CandidCandace.com . Also, stay tuned for video coverage of this incredible event on www.Watch312.com’s “Candid Candace Chicago”, coming soon!
Filed under: fashion show/nightlife
Tags: Adam Schwerner, AJES Salon, Akira, Alonzo Stallings, Anna Held, Aveda Institute Chicago, Bakman Floral Designs, Blumgarten & Co., Bob Mills, Borris Powell, Caitlin Saville Collins, Candid Candace, Christy Webber, Christy Webber Landscapes, Chuck Jordan, Dennis Remer, Erica Hoey, Eunita Rushing, Event Creative, Factor Models, Fleurotica, Flower Child, Flower Petal, Garfield Park Conservatory, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, Green Jeans, Green Teens Program, Ildiko Phillips, Jennier Tengelsen, Juicy Designs, Kenmare Catering, Kim Mills, Lance Larson, LeAnne Trotter, Marcello's, Margo Morris, Matt Barrett, Natural Beauties Floral, Patrick Grandberry, Peach Carr, Peach Carr Designs, Peter Vilim, Peter Vrostos, Phil Stefani Catering, Richard Wester, Scarlet Petal, Stemline Creative, Stephanie Hoey, TipsyCake, Tracie Hall, Watch312.com, Whole Foods Market South Loop, Wishbone Restaurant, Zatiana Ross
