Fleurotica: A Night Blooming with Fashion
Graphic by Carly WItteman
Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago is a natural oasis of gardens, exchanging outdoor scenery for a night of high-fashion for its annual fundraiser: Fleurotica. The event, which took place on Nov. 3, showcases the talents of local florists and artists in a fashion show of unique garments made entirely from natural materials. With a dance performance from the Hiplet Ballerinas and a reception emceed by Samantha Chatman of ABC7 Chicago, the event sold out all of its 300 in-person seats and reached those viewing virtually through the event’s livestream.
As its biggest fundraiser of the year, Fleurotica raises money for the Conservatory and its associated event programming. President and CEO of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, Jennifer van Valkenburg, says that in addition to generating funds for nature education programming, the event “bring[s] people together through the power of nature and the beauty of plants.”
“The creativity is boundless and that is what makes it so spectacular,” she says.
While designers begin sketching and brainstorming their pieces early, most of 15 botanical looks come together on site the day of the event. Designers run between model fittings, hair and makeup and finalizing designs. “The workroom in the back is kind of the most exciting place to be on Fleurotica because you see these pieces coming together right before your eyes,” Valkenburg says.
Amy Crum, a florist on her fourth Fleurotica, enjoys the energy of “crunch time” in the workroom, knowing that there’s an element of urgency to her work. She has been doing floral design for over 40 years after merging floristry with her technical art education in college. “I like mechanics. I like figuring out how to make something work,” she says.
Turning flowers into fashion takes a heightened level of consideration. Flowers can only spend so long out of water and botanics move differently on the runway. Crum has learned to play with new techniques that she wouldn’t typically incorporate into her studio work, like dye products and deer netting—a plastic chicken wire. The good thing about working on a design day-of, she says, is learning from the other designers in the room.
Amy Crum Design’s design for the 2022 show.
“I think it is those small exchanges that I have with the other designers behind the scenes,” she says in regard to why she returns to Fleurotica every year. “It really is a labor of love for all the people involved.”
It’s easy for designers to feel overwhelmed in the workroom. Andrea Hunt-Shelton has been a part of Fleuortica for the past six years, and she still recalls the anxiety of her first year.
“I had no idea what I was walking into. It was so intimidating,” she says.
Luckily, she has since been joined by her twin sister, Angela Davis, who has experience in fashion design. Hunt-Sheldon says that the two work together to make designs that feel like real fashion, or “ready-to-wear.”
A. Hunt Designs’s design for the 2022 show. The design opened the show. The robust and defined design on the bodice of the dress features an over-the-top shoulder. Hunt-Shelton and Davis say they were looking to convey an Asian warrior-princess feel with the details.
Hunt-Sheldon may liken the experience to “Project Runway,” a fashion design competition TV show, but the atmosphere is far from competitive. “We’ve done it long enough now that it’s really fun to be welcoming,” she says. “We’re all here to help.”
More than a fundraiser, Fleurotica gives exposure to the floral designers and amplifies the mission of the Conservatory. Even though Hunt-Sheldon’s studio resides in Champaign, Illinois, she still appreciates the attention she garners from social media and hopes designers in Chicago get more direct work as a result of the show. Valkenburg also says that the event encourages people to take advantage of the gardens year round.
Fleurotica captures the joy and impact of creation. Crum says there is a real interest in the intersection of floristry and design. “Where art meets other things, so art meets flowers. Where things kind of transcend,” she says. The event contributes to the educational goals of Garfield Park Conservatory while highlighting local floral designers, and attendees get the added benefit of enjoying an impressive fashion show of stunning garments.
“To be inspired by nature through design is pretty fantastic,” Valkenburg says.
Check out Amy Crum Design and A. Hunt Design and their own words about Fleurotica:
https://www.ahuntdesign.com/fleurotica/
https://www.amycrumdesigns.com/blog/fleurotica-a-benefit-for-garfield-park-conservatory-7baza
Check out Garfield Park Conservatory: