Beauty in Bloom: A Tribute to Fashion & Flowers

We have Eunice W. Johnson to thank for producing and direct- ing Ebony's fashion show which started as an African American charities fundraiser and stopped on tour 56/60 years in Milwaukee. Now as an exhibit for the first time at the Milwaukee Museum of Art through May 3, some 80 designer accessories, ensembles and gowns represent some 50 years of fashion in "Inspiring Beauty."

Designers were apprehensive to have their creations on Black models but by taking it on the road others were enlightened as to the beauty regardless of size or color. Changing the fashion industry by breaking color barriers using all black models and an all black staff exemplifying both beauty and style.

For people who had once been chattel of others, fashion showed identity and a social station. This was a BIG deal.

"Many of the designs by Stephen Burrows, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Yves Saint Laurent, Bob Mackie, Missoni, Jean Patou, Sarli, Emanuel Ungaro and Vivienne Westwood explore themes of vision, independence and power."

This year the traditional Art in Bloom flower show instead of floral designers interpreting a masterpiece from the museum's collection used instead the couture of the Ebony exhibit welcoming Spring with Beauty in Bloom: A Tribute to Fashion and Flowers during March 26-29 2015.

Celebrating fashion, beauty, design and flowers, the high couture of the ensembles/evening gowns inspired some unique arrangements and transformed the Museum and even a floor of the parking garage into a runway and exhibit space. 

The chosen outfit was pictured on the front of the floral arrangement's podium along with script listing the couture designer, the date and show the outfit was worn, a fabric description as well as plants used in the arrangement and the floral designer's statement. Each fascinating in itself.  

Below is my personal favorite as this arrangement's interpretation was so different than all the others. It captured the essence of the couture's natural earthy feel utilizing woven bark, bamboo with the protea flower for the color differentiation and grasses for the flowing texture. 

In addition to creating this feast of beauty, this was a juried show. I know you'd want to see which won first prize, so featured below is first place.

What great colors! If I had taken a better side view of the floral installation you could have seen the 2 individual branches imitating  the model's stance.

During the four day Beauty in Bloom there was an opening reception, docent led tours, Designer Awards and Iron Florist competition, shopping /beauty bazaar, lectures, demos, a book signing, drop in family activities, fashion bloggers's panel from Chicago and Milwaukee and Beauty in Bloom Fashion Show. Something for everyone. 

Although I would have enjoyed all the lectures especially those botanical ones, the one I would have loved to hear was Camille Morgan's presentation. Ms Morgan spoke on Sunday about her work as she "blends contemporary art with fashion objects and theory , exploring their place in society at large, especially within the overlapping spheres of race, ethnicity and gender."


Well, you know I was in heaven no matter what celebrating Spring with art and flowers...

Link to an :EBONY Fashion Show