Runway Fantasies Inspired & Created from Nature

Looking back in November 2014, when the Naples Botanical gardens came alive during its 11th edition of the Hats in the Garden event. The specatcle featured a runway show with botanical fashion pieces by renowned Naples floral designers paired with the sartorial splendor of Saks Fifth Avenue.

The designers were asked to create gowns and dresses using at least 80 percent of something that is growing or had been growing (that is, dried material). What they came up with was nothing short of astounding. With spring as an unofficial theme, bright and brash flowers, bold green leaves, and soft earthy mosses, succulents and epiphytes were glued, sewn and pinned together for amazing wearable art adorning models who walked down the runway. While each look differed, all the designers had one thing in common: this was the first time any had created a wearable floral design.

“We wanted to go off the path and do something different this year,” said Rufino Hernandez, floral fashion designer and Creative Director for the event.