merceds menz fashion week australia

During Australian Fashion Week held in early May 2012, this year Grandiflora has the opportunity to install a floral wonderland throughout the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge

The place for VIPs to relax and catch up, the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge is proving the most luxurious way for notable delegates to rest between shows at Fashion Week Australia. 

Bryan Boy in his graphic-print pants, Susie Bubble with her signature top knot and Elin Kling working her typical brand of Swedish cool – the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge is where international dignitaries and VIPs are going to get away from the hustle and bustle of Fashion Week. And it's only day one. With main bar, cafe area and break-away spaces with sumptuous lounges, there's ample area for friends to catch up and tired feet to rest. Think of it as a souped-up airport lounge with all the trimmings - guests get to enjoy complimentary refreshments while soaking up the unsurpassed view of Sydney Harbour and all it has to offer. In fact, enjoying a flat white and toasted sandwich while gazing at the Opera House is all part of a hard day's work. With principal sponsor of Fashion Week Mercedes-Benz hosting the lounge, the decadence and style synonymous with the brand is evident wherever you look, from the well-appointed furnishings to the professional and attentive wait staff. With five days and 53 shows on the schedule, this year's agenda still leaves delegates pockets of time between shows to savour the surroundings and really take in all the lounge has to offer. With more notable bloggers, photographers and delegates than ever before, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is not only the highlight of Sydney's sartorial calendar, but set to be a high point for all Australian fashion designers hoping to prove their talents to the world. In the meantime, the show must go on! And the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge will no doubt see its fair share of star-stuffed traffic and MBFWA action in the days to come.

images and text via vogue.com.au, twitter, fabsugar, google

cover shots by grandiflora

a sneak peak into grandiflora's celebrations

Grandiflora Celebrations our latest book was released late last year and is available for purchase in store; 1/12 Macleay Street Potts Point, Potts Point Bookshop Macleay Street and all good bookstores.

This books follows the life of Grandiflora florist Saskia Havekes and her team over an 18 month period and documents the magical events and creations Grandiflora sees on a day to day basis.

Call in store to pick up your copy today 02 9357 7902

RRP $60.00 

images via google, madison magazine feature, behance

from the outside. in.

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a pastel palette

images taken in store via @grandiflora_sydney instagram

the jill sander florist

Jil Sander show A/W12 Courtesy of Mark ColleReal fashion moments – ones that genuinely move you – happen very rarely. This season, the moment was Raf Simon's final collection for Jil Sander after a prolific seven years. Simons decided to compliment his 36-look collection with six flower arrangements, highlighting the palette of the collection and encased in plexiglass cubes created by Antwerp-based florist Mark Colle. The flowers – now wilting, possessing a different kind of beauty – have since been displayed at the Jil Sander showroom in Milan.

Having worked as a florist since the age of 15, Colle now owns a small shop called Baltimore, named after his favourite city. For this fashion floral exclusive, AnOther spoke exclusively with Colle about how the collaboration came about, the ideas behind the arrangements and his thoughts about being a part of Raf's memorable show...

How did the collaboration between yourself and Raf Simons come about? I've known Raf for a long time, he often comes into the shop. He phoned about three weeks before the show and asked me if I would be interested in creating flower arrangements for the show. 

What were the key ideas behind the arrangements?The most important thing was that they were all different and reflect the collection; highlighting the romance, femininity and fragility of the designs. He also wanted them to be slightly abstract so that's why we used the plexiglass cubes; it was the first time I'd used these. I only saw a few pieces from the collection but I saw all of the fabrics and colours that were going to be used.

Can you describe the six arrangements – did you have a favourite?
There was one that was very colourful, very bright; one that was very pale; another which had almost entirely red, unusual species of orchids; another that looked like morning dew, the kind one would see walking through a jungle. I didn't really have a favourite. When we first started making them, there were ones that I preferred but when I saw them all together they worked perfectly as a group.

Can you describe the working process? 

I arrived on Tuesday and I had to condition the flowers and crop the stems which took a day. Then I spent the next day making the arrangements. I worked alone, I don't really like having people around me when I'm working on a project such as this.

What was Raf's reaction when he saw the arrangements?
When he saw the very first arrangement placed in the glass cube he was shocked, in a good way. He was very happy. The reaction from the audience was also really positive – even Anna Wintour liked them!

What was your experience of the show and the collection? 
The show was mind-blowing. Everything worked so well together: the clothes; the flowers; the music (Mazzy Star, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins);the colours (blush pink, coffee, pale grey and black); the knowledge that it was going to be Raf's last show. It was very emotional – even I had a hard time keeping my eyes dry.

Where do you get your flowers from, and what type of flower do you like working with most?I get all of the special types of flowers from Holland – I used to go twice a week but it's impossible so I now go once a week. I get the rest from local Antwerp suppliers. I like old-fashioned flowers, particularly that most people regard as a bit tacky, like carnations and old-fashioned roses.

What do you like most about being a florist? That it's always different – the seasons, the colours, the assignments. And flowers make people happy!

The Jil Sander A/W12 collection is available to pre-order here.

Text by Laura Bradley. Laura Bradley is the Commissioning Editor of AnOther. She is a writer specialising in fashion, fragrance, arts and culture.

images & interview via AnOthermag