Tag: florists

Fleurs de Villes at St James Quarter

From June 24th to July 3rd, experience a free 10-day public event of fresh floral couture by local florists at St James Quarter – all in celebration of remarkable women. 

World-renowned bespoke floral show Fleurs de Villes, is thrilled to announce the launch of its very first public showing in Scotland, in partnership with St James Quarter – Edinburgh’s chicest retail destination.

The show is open to the public from Friday June 24th, exactly one year on since St James Quarter opened its doors, when guests will be able to tour the self-guided exhibit until Sunday, July 3rd.  

The FEMMES exhibition will showcase a series of fresh floral mannequins celebrating remarkable women around the world. Fleurs de Villes is proud to be working with local floral talent who will create these tributes based on an inspirational photo or painting of each woman. 

Participating florists include Amanda Coghill, Border Blooms by Gail Watson + Bluebells Florist Crieff, Cassia Salvona Floral Design, Farima Perry Florals & Events, Floral Ambitions, Fruit Salad Flowers, Gillytree Studio, In Bloom Studio, KDM Event Styling & Floral Design, Narcissus Flowers, Ollie + Ivy, Penelope Fleur by KDM, Petals by the Shore, Quate & Co., Rogue Flowers, Rose & Ammi Flowers, Simpsons Florist, Wild Flowers, and Wildflower & Willow. 

Visitors to St James Quarter can also shop for fresh blooms at a pop-up flower market on Saturday June 25th and visit the Fleurs de Villes JARDIN area that will host floral demonstrations and talks from Friday June 24th to Sunday June 26th.

The public are encouraged to vote for their favourite mannequin, and to enter a ‘snap and share’ social media contest for a chance to win tickets to “My Fair Lady” at the Edinburgh Playhouse. 

(L-R: Frida Kahlo, Oprah Winfrey and Audrey Hepburn displays from past Fleurs de Villes FEMMES city exhibitions  – Photo Credit: Fleurs de Villes)   

Fleurs de Villes FEMMES at St James Quarter will feature these fifteen remarkable women of cultural significance and historical impact: 

  • Annie Lennox – Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox is one of the most successful celebrated artists of her generation. From her time in ’80s synthpop duo Eurythmics to her solo career, she has sold millions of records around the world, and is also known for her social activism and philanthropic works.  
     
  • Isobel Wyley Hutchison – sponsored by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Scotswoman Isobel Wylie Hutchison overcame the constraints that her age, gender and class placed upon her, to become a solo Arctic adventurer, an accomplished botanist and a successful poet and writer.  
  • Mary Queen of Scots – Perhaps the best-known figure in Scottish royal history, Mary Queen of Scots’ life, marital decisions, political actions including an alleged plot against Queen Elizabeth I, and subsequent execution has established her as a divisive and widely romanticised historical character, depicted in culture for centuries. 
     
  • Karen Gillan – sponsored by FUSE. Scottish actress Karen Gillan has gained recognition for her work in film and television, including “Guardians of the Galaxy”, “Avengers”, and “Doctor Who.”
     
  • Eunice Olumide – Born in Edinburgh, Eunice Olumide is an international supermodel, broadcaster and curator who in 2017, was awarded an MBE for her contribution to Arts, Broadcasting and Charity work.
     
  • Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady mannequin – sponsored by Edinburgh Playhouse. This FEMME is inspired by the much-loved Cockney flower seller Eliza Doolittle played by the iconic Audrey Hepburn in the 1964 musical film. The Lincoln Center Theater’s multi-award-winning production of “My Fair Lady” will be playing at the Edinburgh Playhouse from December 14th 2022 to January 7th 2023. 
     
  • Rose Ayling-Ellis – sponsored by Deaf Action. British Sign Language user Rose Lucinda Ayling-Ellis is best known for playing Frankie Lewis in BBC soap EastEnders, and her groundbreaking Strictly Come Dancing win with Giovanni Pernice in 2022.
     
  • Flora MacDonald – sponsored by Clarendon Fine Art Gallery. One of the most romantic characters in Scottish history, Flora Macdonald is best known for helping Bonnie Prince Charles Edward Stuart evade government troops after the Battle of Culloden in April 1746; since becoming immortalised in the famous 19th century “The Skye Boat Song” that narrates the getaway.
     
  • Megan Beveridge – sponsored by Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Megan Beveridge of the British Army made history by becoming the first serving female Lone Piper at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh in 2016.
     
  • Marilyn Monroe – Actress, singer, and model Marilyn Monroe became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, and is still one of the world’s most enduring iconic figures.
     
  • Mary Somerville – Scottish science writer and self-taught polymath Mary Somerville became the first female member to be elected to The Royal Astronomical Society at a time when women were largely absent in scientific circles and their participation was discouraged.
     
  • Frida Kahlo – Possibly the most well-known female painter of modern times, Kahlo is famous for her ground-breaking self-portraits and works inspired by the nature and artefacts of her native Mexico.
     
  • Queen Victoria – Queen Victoria was the first English-born monarch of Great Britain to share her love of Scotland. Throughout her reign of 63 years she visited the country many times, and even inspired a trend for tartan and tweed across the kingdom.
     
  • Empress Xiaozhuangwen – The mother of the first Emperor of the Qing Empire, Empress Xiaozhuangwen proved to be a critical stabilising figure in her young son’s reign, remembered for her wisdom and insight.
     
  • Cleopatra – For almost 3 decades, Cleopatra VII served as the dominant ruler in her co-regencies. Her romantic liaisons, military alliances and supposed powers of seduction has earned her an enduring place in history and popular myth. 

    Audiences of all ages, cultures and genders will be able to learn more about these fascinating women by scanning the QR codes on signs adjacent to each floral sculpture that will link visitors to their incredible stories.   

    Proud sponsors of these FEMMES include the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Clarendon Fine Art Gallery, Deaf Action, Edinburgh Playhouse, FUSE, Cash for Kids and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.   

    Other highlights of the FEMMES exhibition within St James Quater include a selfie-invoking swing adorned with blooms, a floral cocktail menu at The Alchemist raising funds for charity Cash for Kids, a “flower-bombed” Maserati MC20, and ornate floral doorways at retailers Reiss, Miele, Juliet Rose, Thai Express, IOLLA and Clarendon Fine Art Gallery.  
  •  (L-R: Malala Yousafzai, Carline Astor,  Grace Kelly displays from past Fleurs de Villes FEMMES city exhibitions – Photo Credit: Fleurs de Villes)  

    The partnership is part of St James Quarter’s ongoing commitment to provide a cultural and lifestyle hub for art, culture and fashion and offer opportunities for the local community to get involved with unique experiences. This activity follows on from a number of successful events over the last year including Edinburgh Style, Love Beauty and a seafood festival.   

    Visitors to St James Quarter will be able to view the floral exhibition in the main Galleria area while shopping with luxury retailers such as H beauty and Reiss or before a refreshment stop at cocktail bar and restaurant The Alchemist or food hall Bonnie & Wild. Guests will also be able to see other retailers unleash their inner botanist as stores get involved with the event with their own floral displays. 

    “We felt that this was the ideal time to launch Fleurs de Villes FEMMES as people are starved for in-real-life, tactile and inspirational experiences that they can enjoy safely with friends and family. The exhibit will offer the opportunity to learn about these important women who have left their mark on history and what better backdrop than a unique venue like St James Quarter,” says co-founder Tina Barkley.  
    Co-founder Karen Marshall adds: “We are very excited to bring our event to Edinburgh for the very first time and to launch the new exhibition FEMMES at the iconic St James Quarter. Each of our shows is an entirely different experience, celebrating the local community and made possible by local partners like St James Quarter which support Fleurs de Villes events being freely and most beautifully open to the public. With such a diverse group of local florists and creative talents, we can’t wait to spread joy and tell the stories of these women, en fleurs, to honour each as truly remarkable.” 

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, says: “We are delighted that Fleurs de Villes FEMMES is coming to Scotland for the first time and there’s no better place to showcase the series than St James Quarter, the hub of the capital city.

“We could not be more pleased to have Fleurs de Villes FEMMES grace our Galleria and celebrate inspirational women from across the globe in such a spectacular fashion.” 

The global FEMMES tour visits four countries this year in these world-class destinations: 

Miami, Bal Harbour Shops March 4-13, 2022 

Chicago, 900 North Michigan Shops, March 30-April 3, 2022 

Costa Mesa, South Coast Plaza, April 20-24, 2022 

Toronto, Bloor-Yorkville, May 4-8, 2022 

Montreal, Complex des Jardins and Quartier des Spectacles, May 20-29, 2022 

Vancouver, Downtown, June 3-12, 2022 

Edinburgh, St. James Quarter, June 24-July 3, 2022 

Sydney, The Royal Botanic Garden, August 19-28, 2022 

Québec City, Place Ste-Foy, September 21-25, 2022 

New York City, Hudson Yards, October 7-16, 2022 

Scottsdale, The Palmeraie, January 19-23, 2023 

Website: www.fleursdevilles.com            

Instagram: @fleursdevilles 

Facebook: @fleursdevilles                         

Tiktok:  @fleursdevilles 

#FDVFEMMES    

Morrisons DOUBLES number of professional florists in-store as flowers sales surge

– 300 professional florists to offer handmade bouquet service across the UK this Autumn –

– Research shows flowers are the country’s most popular lockdown purchase, with online searches up 277% –

Morrisons is doubling the number of fully-qualified, expert florists in its stores to 300 this Autumn – to provide fresh, bespoke bouquets for its customers.

The supermarket is expanding its instore florist shops, which will see a further 60 florist stations installed across the UK – to take the total to over 100. 

The new florist shops will provide 180 additional roles for qualified professional florists, who may be out of work following the impact that the pandemic has had on the high street.

Recent Google data has found that flowers have been one of the country’s most popular online purchases during lockdown, with online searches up 277 per cent. Morrisons is currently selling over four million flower stems every week.

Morrisons is doubling the number of fully-qualified, expert florists in its stores to 300 this Autumn – to provide fresh, bespoke bouquets for its customers. The supermarket is expanding its instore florist shops, which will see a further 60 florist stations installed across the UK – to take the total to over 100. The new florist shops will provide 180 additional roles for qualified professional florists, who may be out of work following the impact that the pandemic has had on the high street. Recent Google data has found that flowers have been one of the country’s most popular online purchases during lockdown, with online searches up 277 per cent. Morrisons is currently selling over four million flower stems every week. All Morrisons florists will offer a handmade-to-order bouquet service, with customers able to choose from 75 different stem varieties. Bouquets can be crafted for any occasion and to any budget. They are prepared whilst customers do their weekly shop. For more information, please contact the Morrisons press office at The Academy morrisons@theacademypr.com

All Morrisons florists will offer a handmade-to-order bouquet service, with customers able to choose from 75 different stem varieties. Bouquets can be crafted for any occasion and to any budget. They are prepared whilst customers do their weekly shop.

Morrisons offers a five day freshness guarantee for all of its flowers in the home. The supermarket works closely with growers to plant their fields and has one of the quickest ‘field to store’ transit times. Stems are delivered fresh to stores each day, sourced from FlowerWorld – a 17.5 acre flower site, wholly owned by the supermarket. 

The prices of Morrison’s bouquets are up to a third lower than those from well-known national online florists as it has direct relationships with growers rather than working with wholesalers.

Jane Watson, Flowers Manager at Morrisons said: “Flowers make people feel happier – with their beautiful shapes, bright colours and scents. We work with some of the best growers in the world and have some of the best stems.

“So we wanted to have the best florists in store to make bouquets for our customers. It’s been a difficult year for the flower industry, and we hope this also provides good job prospects for florists looking for work.” 

To place an order or find the nearest Morrisons florist, visit www.morrisons.co.uk.