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Old-fashioned flowers to steal the limelight at Ellerslie

Thursday 16 February 2012, 2:41PM

By Christchurch City Council

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Award-winning international floral art designer Franca Logan's Land of the Long White Cloud display in Malaysia last year.
Award-winning international floral art designer Franca Logan's Land of the Long White Cloud display in Malaysia last year. Credit: Christchurch City Council

CHRISTCHURCH

Carnations, daisies, roses and delphiniums return to the limelight at next month’s Ellerslie International Flower Show, the flowers taking to the Project Runway catwalk in the feature exhibit in the City Care Floral Art Marquee.

Award-winning international designer Franca Logan from Auckland is creating a whimsical fashion display staged as a runway set in a rambling ethereal summer garden. It will explore some of the latest trends, fashion and techniques in floral design and decoration.

She says the colour palette will be delicate, summery and playful, the style open, light and airy, with some old-fashioned floral favourites making a comeback to reflect fashion’s vintage revival.

A Passion for Fashion is the theme for the exhibits in the Floral Art Marquee this year.

“My choice of flowers reflects fashion’s return to vintage and old-worldly styling, the looks that are currently dominating the world’s catwalks.

“There’s lots of crochet, yarn and natural textures on the catwalk, which I will replicate in my floral exhibit.

“Floral models wearing the latest fashions will strut down the catwalk – it will be playful and lots of fun.”
Franca says the 6m x 6m Ellerslie exhibit is the biggest one she has attempted in her 17-year career and she is “excited about the challenge”.

With success at most of the world’s top floral art competitions, Franca’s exhibit is guaranteed to wow the crowds, says Ellerslie International Flower Show Exhibition Manager Kate Hillier.

“Franca trained in Canada and has competed internationally, winning competitions in Canada, and being selected to represent New Zealand at international floral displays in Malaysia, England and Canada. Her work is simply outstanding and not to be missed.”

Ellerslie International Flower Show, North Hagley Park, 7 to 11 March 2012. For more information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz