If you’re looking for something to do in Sydney this week, do not miss the Fleurs De Villes – FEMMES exhibition at the Calyx in The Royal Botanic Garden.
The exhibition is comprised of 16 fresh floral mannequins that pay homage to remarkable women. Some of these women are popular household names, while others are lesser-known, but just as extraordinary.
A few women included are pop icon Kylie Minogue, actress Nicole Kidman, Indigenous activist Dr. Evelyn Scott, painter Frida Kahlo and tennis champion Ash Barty. Each floral arrangement is put together by incredible local florists, including Persephone, Blue Flowers, Don De L’Amour and Flowerun Flower Studio.
I was lucky enough to visit the exhibition, and these were just a few of my personal favourite displays:
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia was a singer, dancer, activist and actress who hit the world stage at age 29 in her career-making performance as Sandy in the mega-hit Grease.
While her successful music career left a great impact, with back-to-back number one hits and four Grammy awards, its the determination and activism she showed amidst her repeated breast cancer diagnoses that especially resonated with people around the world.
This stunning Fleurs De Villes tribute to Olivia features playa blanca roses, statice, double tulips and carnations, and was designed by Petal Bang.
Nancy Bird Walton
Known as the “Angel of the Outback”, Nancy-Bird Walton became the youngest woman in the British Empire to earn a pilot’s license at the age of 19 in 1935. As an activist for gender equality in the aviation field, her book was named “My God! It’s A Woman!”.
In 1990 she received the Order Of Australia, and in 2008 Qantas named its A380 aircraft the Nancy-Bird.
This beautiful arrangement was created by Persephone Creative, and uses daisies, cordyline, spanish moss and delphinium.
Ash Barty
Not only did this mannequin feature Ash Barty in an incredible floral tennis outfit, but I loved that it included her Wimbledon trophy, as well as a tennis racquet in the colours of the Aboriginal flag.
There’s no doubt that Ash has inspired us all with her phenomenal career and humility as a sportswoman. She’s only the second Australian woman to be ranked number 1 in the world, following in the footsteps of her idol and fellow Australian Indigenous tennis star Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
The Fleurs De Villes arrangement was designed by Claire Howard Bryan (@floralfour).
Malala
Malala is a Pakistani activist for female education and human rights who is the youngest person in the world to receive the Nobel Price for Peace. She came to prominence around the globe when she was shot in the head by Taliban forces for her political stance for girls’ education rights. She continued her activism, establishing the Malala Fund, a charity that works for equal opportunity for girls education around the world.
This beautiful homage to Malala was designed by Florada and uses statice, roses, delphinium and poppies. I especially loved the use of different shades of purple in her dupatta, as this gave the piece a sense of dimension and movement.
The last day of the Fleurs De Villes – FEMMES showcase is the 28th of August. You can purchase tickets here.
