Picture a modern catwalk.
All right.Skimpy skirts, long legs, attitude.
Now, picture a fashion show from
the late 1930s. Languid models, long evening gowns, fabulous fabrics.
A new couture collection has
turned back time and explored the the shapes, petal patterns and colours of the
orchid as a source of inspiration. Two dresses in particular glowed during
Couture Fashion Week in Paris.
The designer partnered with ‘Art
of Life’, a group of Dutch Orchid Growers to create the pieces. The groups
provided Taminiau with a sea of the flowers to support his creative inspiration,
which I felt had a strictly ‘film noir’ appeal.
He said: “The orchid not only
inspired me, it surprised me. Orchids are every bit as fascinating as the women
who walk into my studio.”
According to the press, the
dresses symbolise the orchid’s status in the plant kingdom. Not only is the
orchid the queen of plants, it’s also the perfect living fashion and home
accessory.
One dress (above, was inspired by the
Phalaenopsis, the moth orchid. The name is derived from the Greek words
‘Phalaina’ (moth) and ‘opsis’ (resembling).
The story goes that during one of his trips, Dutch botanist, Dr C.L.
Blume, saw a group of butterflies floating almost motionless beside a tree.
These turned out to be Phalaenopsis orchids.
Jan Taminiau was also intrigued by
the Vanda Orchid, a rare orchid that does not need any earth to survive. Its
roots hang loose in the air or wrap themselves around trees. The dress pictured has a languorous quality that I haven't seen since ... The House of Eliot. So shoot me.
Images: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/lifestyle-fashion/styletrends/paris-couture-fashion-inspired-by-orchids-407731.html?utm_source=ff&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=siteFeed
By Pamela Kelt
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