Floral Accessories

Our wearable floral art has grown quite naturally from the work we have always done. As floral designers, we have spent years creating arrangements and installations for events and special occasion, learning how flowers behave, how they sit together, and how they shape a space. Alongside this, we have also worked in body art, painting on skin with the same attention to detail and form. For a long time these practices existed separately, but over time they began to overlap, and from that overlap something new developed.

What we now create brings these two disciplines together in a way that feels both intuitive and immersive. We paint botanical designs directly onto the skin and then layer fresh flowers over the top, creating pieces that are not simply looked at, but worn and experienced. The work moves with the person, becoming part of how they enter a space and interact within it. It is floral design, but not confined to a table or structure—it becomes something to wear - a unique floral necklace or corsage or accessory.

Going Back to the Roots

Both elements of this work—body painting and the use of flowers—are deeply rooted in history and culture. Body painting dates back thousands of years, with early pigments sourced from the natural world. Ground minerals such as ochre provided warm reds and yellows, charcoal offered deep blacks, and crushed plants created softer, more varied tones. These pigments were mixed with oils or water and applied to the skin for ritual, storytelling, identity, and celebration. The body itself became a canvas for meaning.

Flowers have an equally rich and symbolic history. Across cultures, they have been used to adorn people, decorate places of worship, and mark important moments. In ancient Egypt, lotus flowers symbolised rebirth and were used in ceremonial settings. In India, marigolds are woven into garlands for weddings and festivals, representing purity, prosperity, and joy. In Hawaii, leis are given as a gesture of welcome, love, and respect. In Western traditions, white flowers are often associated with weddings, while lilies are used in times of remembrance.

Colour and type carry meaning as well—red for love or strength, white for peace or purity, yellow for warmth and friendship. Flowers help us express emotion in a way that feels immediate and understood across cultures. Our work draws from this long tradition of adornment and expression, bringing it into a contemporary, wearable form.

Creating Something to Step Into

At events, wearable floral art becomes more than a visual feature—it becomes an experience. Rather than simply placing flowers into a space, we create something that unfolds in real time, inviting people to engage with it directly. Guests are able to watch the process, to take part, or simply to be drawn into the atmosphere that forms around it.

Each piece is created in response to the individual. We take into account what they are wearing, their colouring, their personal style, and the overall tone of the event. These elements guide the design, ensuring that the finished piece feels connected to the person rather than placed upon them.

For clients, particularly in corporate settings, this offers something engaging and memorable. It encourages interaction, sparks conversation, and creates a shared moment within the event. Those having a piece created feel part of something special, while those watching are naturally drawn in by the process.

How People Change When They Wear Flowers

One of the most noticeable aspects of this work is the subtle but clear shift in how people feel when they wear flowers. As the piece comes together, there is often a sense of relaxation and enjoyment that begins to take hold. By the time they stand and rejoin the space, many carry themselves differently, with a quiet confidence and ease.

There is something about wearing a floral necklace, being close to flowers that reconnects us with nature. The scent, the softness of petals, the textures of foliage against the skin—all of these sensory details create a moment of pause. Even within a busy event, that connection brings a sense of calm and wellbeing.

This response feels instinctive. It is not something that needs to be explained; it is simply experienced. And it often extends beyond the individual to those around them, creating a gentle shift in the atmosphere as a whole.

How Each Piece Is Created

The process of creating each piece begins with observation and inspiration drawn from the individual and their surroundings. From there, we begin by painting directly onto the skin using cosmetic, water-based paints. These allow for detailed botanical designs that follow the natural contours of the body, whether along the side of the face, the neck and collarbone, or across the arms and wrists.

Our interest in painting flowers has always been central to this stage. Painting encourages a close study of form—the curve of a petal, the structure of a leaf, the way a flower opens and moves. This attention to detail informs everything that follows.

Once the painted design is complete, we create a floral accessory, often thought of as a form of floral “jewellery.” This is carefully placed over the painted area, adding depth and dimension. The combination of paint and fresh flowers creates a layered effect, where the two elements enhance one another.

What emerges is a three-dimensional piece that feels both delicate and distinctive, tailored entirely to the person wearing it.

Preparing the Flowers

To ensure the flowers hold their quality throughout an event, careful preparation is essential. We begin with traditional conditioning methods, cutting stems and allowing the flowers to fully hydrate in water with appropriate nutrients.

In addition to this, we place the flowers in hydration chambers overnight. They are covered with damp tissues and kept in a cool, dark environment, allowing them to absorb moisture not only through their stems but also through their petals by osmosis.

This process leaves the flowers exceptionally well hydrated—firm, fresh, and resilient. With the right selection and preparation, they are able to last out of water for at least eight hours, maintaining their appearance throughout the event.

A Different Kind of Timing

This kind of work exists very much in the moment. It is an ephemeral art form, created for a specific time and place, and designed to be experienced at its peak. This is part of what makes it so well suited to events, where the focus is on creating memorable, shared experiences.

Clients are often drawn to how engaging it is, not only for those wearing the designs but also for those observing the process. It creates a sense of occasion, making guests feel both involved and valued.

There is also a different way of thinking about longevity within this work. Rather than aiming for flowers to last as long as possible, we focus on their most vibrant state. These are flowers intended to make an entrance, not to sit in an arrangement over several days.

In a vase, flowers can gradually fade, leaving a question of when they are past their best. With wearable floral art, they are used at their peak, fully fresh and expressive for the duration of the event.

If you are planning an event or special occasion and would like to experience our Wearable Floral Art do get in touch. Whether you are considering it for a larger event or as something meaningful for an individual, we'd love to create something tailored for you.

About the Artists

Louise and Deb are floral designers whose work has evolved into wearable floral art, blending their expertise in floristry with body painting. Their pieces are created live at events, offering an immersive and engaging experience that connects people with flowers in a personal and memorable way. Their approach is rooted in careful craftsmanship, thoughtful preparation, and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of flowers.