The British Floral Influencers Luncheon
Starting October 20th, a new exhibit will be on display at the Garden Museum in London to celebrate the life and legacy of Constance Spry, one of the most influential British florists of all time.
Last week, I attended a fundraising luncheon hosted by the British Floral Influencers which raised money for the exhibit at the Garden Museum - the only museum in the world dedicated to the art, history, and design of gardening. I was asked to create one of the event tablescapes. My friend, Dennis Schraeder, of Landcraft Environments, helped me design our table and provided all the plant material - except for several ‘Martha Stewart’ Cattleya orchids, which I brought at the last minute from my Bedford, New York greenhouse - they were blooming so beautifully, I knew they would make the perfect additions to our table.
Enjoy these photos.
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- I walked in with these beautiful ‘Martha Stewart’ Cattleya orchid blooms – cut that morning in my greenhouse. I got my ‘Martha Stewart’ orchids from Kalapana Tropicals Inc., a family-owned and operated orchid farm in Hawaii. I love the bright fuschia pink blooms. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- The event was held at a private club in Manhattan. The room was set up with 10 tables, each styled by a different designer. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Guests entered to a lovely music trio, Bon Musique, provided by Elan Artists, one of the premier entertainment companies in New York. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- The luncheon supported the upcoming exhibit at the Garden Museum showcasing the work and influence of Constance Spry. Constance was a very influential British educator, florist, and author. She was chosen to be the florist for then, Princess Elizabeth’s wedding in 1947. She later went on to decorate all the floral pieces for the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1953. She was also responsible for the floral décor at the Duke of Windsor’s very private wedding to Wallis Simpson in 1937. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Also in attendance at the luncheon was the Marchioness of Normanby and Garden Museum Trustee, Nicola Schulman. Here she is with Garden Museum director, Christopher Woodward, and Carolyn Bender, event planner for British Floral Influencers. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- I was delighted to be one of the tablescape designers. In collaboration with Dennis Schrader, we created a gorgeous table with topiaries and grasses and touches of hellebore. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Dennis brought all the plant materials to the venue and arranged them on the table. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Here is a closer look at some of the pretty hellebores in the arrangement. We also included carex grass and mini orchids. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- I placed my Cattleya orchids at the settings of the three speakers – Royal florist, Shane Connolly, floral designer, Emily Thompson, and The Marchioness of Normanby.
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- This is well-known floral designer, Emily Thompson, who spoke to the guests about the life, legacy, and inspiration of Constance Spry. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Each table sat 10 to 12 guests and included the same tablecloth, plates, stemware, and flatware. All the tablescapes were designed individually. This one was done by floral designer, Josh Werber, whose work has been featured in T Magazine, Vogue, Elle India, The New York Times, and The New York Post. Follow his Instagram page @joshuawerber. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Josh created these fun botanical crowns – a different one for each place setting.
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- This table was done by Nicolette Owen, owner of Nicolette Camille Floral Design in Brooklyn, New York. Her Instagram handle is @nicamille. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Each of the napkins at Nicolette’s table was topped with leaves – simple, yet elegant. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- This arrangement was presented by David Beahm of David Beahm – best known for his inventive pieces and trademark lavish flower creations. Follow him @davidbeahm.
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- This table was done by New York floral designer, Taylor Patterson, of Fox Fodder Farm. @foxfodderfarm
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- Holly Chapple, the owner of Holly Chapple Flowers, created this tablescape of white blooms and bold green foliage. After the event, a team from the Garbage Goddess rescued and repurposed all possible plants and flowers. @hollychapple.
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- And this one is by Cathy Graham – award-winning artist and fashion illustrator, who has also worked with the late floral designer and event planner Robert Isabell, noted for his unique lavish and innovative parties. Follow her @cathybgraham. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Christopher welcomed all the guests and shared the plans for the museum’s forthcoming Constance Spry exhibit. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Shane spoke next. Shane is the curator of the upcoming exhibit. Among Shane’s notable accomplishments, he designed the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales to Ms. Camilla Bowles as well as the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales to Ms. Catherine Middleton. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Shane and Emily also designed a tablescape and created the floral centerpieces during the event. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- The luncheon menu included tomato soup, a special Coronation Chicken Salad, and a lemon tart with fresh strawberries. The Coronation Chicken Salad was the same recipe used for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It was developed by Constance and Chef Rosemary Hume, who at the time were co-principals of the Cordon Bleu School of Cookery in London.
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- The Marchioness of Normanby spoke on the influence fashion and gardens have had over the many years from the royal court of Kings and Queens of the past to today’s fashion designers. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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- Floral “fairies” delighted guests with their fanciful floral attire. This Elan Artists model was dressed in “fresh floral” fashion designed by Holly. The larkspur hat and gown are accented with hellebores, Pieris, and ranunculus.
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- This colorful headpiece by Holly was also completely designed with flowers.
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- And here is a nice photo of Dennis and me after our lunch. What a lovely event – I was so happy to be involved and to help raise money for the Garden Museum and for the Constance Spry exhibit. (Photo by @fredmarcusstudio)
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