Recently, global sensation Fleurs de Villes announced the fifteen talented Edinburgh florists starring in the UK premiere of ARTISTE; a spectacular fresh floral celebration of Scotland’s remarkable art and the nation’s much-loved artists. With the exhibition running until June 9th, if you're in Edinburgh these coming days, you might want to visit these floral marvels before they're finished decorating the Botanic Gardens of this whimsy city. Here's a full list and guide of the mannequins and florists behind these works of art.
Everything to Know About the Edinburgh Botanic Garden x Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE
Fifteen of Edinburgh’s stars of the flower world, each of whom have been paired with an art-related Scottish icon, will bring the exhibition’s theme of ARTISTE to life in a truly spectacular floral display. The exhibition will feature stunning fresh floral installations inspired by iconic masterpieces including Monarch of the Glen, and inspired by Scotland’s remarkable artists past and present, from Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Robert Burns to Annie Lennox, Billy Connolly, and Alexander McQueen.
These one-of-a-kind floral displays will also celebrate Edinburgh’s lively arts scene, drawing inspiration from Dovecot Studios, Jupiter Artland, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Scottish Opera, Edinburgh Playhouse, the National Galleries of Scotland, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture.
Speaking about the UK premiere of ARTISTE in Edinburgh, Karen Marshall, Co-founder of Fleurs de Villes said:
At the heart of the Fleurs de Villes brand is a deep appreciation for art and a commitment to elevating floristry as an art form like no other. With this vision in mind, our new show Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE speaks to our origins. It celebrates the universal love for the arts and their extraordinary capacity to unite people and the world around us. We couldn’t be more pleased to launch this show outside North America for the first time in Edinburgh - a city renowned for inspiring artists for centuries.
Raoul Curtis-Machin, Director of Horticulture and Visitor Experience at RBGE, added:
"Following last year’s spectacular launch of Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE at the Botanics, we look forward to welcoming visitors to the stunning new exhibition - ARTISTE. This celebration of floral artistry, inspired by the world’s art, is aptly located at the heart of the Garden’s magnificent Living Collection and Inverleith House, home to our own creative arts program."
Visitors to Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE will begin by wandering through a beautiful indoor pavilion featuring a curated collection of 15 of Fleurs de Villes' famous fresh floral mannequins. While admiring the floral masterpieces, visitors will have the opportunity to watch floral demonstrations and talks from local florists and botanical experts, then can make their way to the adjacent historic Inverleith House to explore captivating rooms inspired by iconic art movements including Surrealism, Pop Art and Impressionism.
The legacy of pre-eminent Victorian botanist, Duncan Napier, will be celebrated in a Napiers the Herbalists Experience room, allowing visitors to enjoy botanical beauty and holistic well-being talks and demonstrations. Visitors can also explore the architecture and history of the Palm Houses at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in a room inspired by the incredible biodiversity of these iconic glasshouses.
Delicious botanical refreshments, light bites, and an afternoon tea menu will also be available within the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s on-site Terrace café. Visitors can also pick up picnic boxes to enjoy on the lawn adjacent to the floral pavilion, where the world of fresh florals continues with two more statement exhibits; a floral-adorned Classic MG presented by MG Owners Club and a floral adorned Cyberstar MG presented by Arnold Clark.
Tickets to Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE (including add-on dining experiences and Le Soir evening) are on sale now and can be purchased. General admission tickets are priced at £23 for adults, £20 for seniors and RBGE members, and £11 for kids (4-16 years). A family discount (2 adults & 2 kids) is priced at £56.
Revealing the Mannequins and Characters
Fleurs de Villes, the world-renowned floral show behind international blockbuster exhibitions in cities including Sydney, New York, Chicago, Miami, London, and Toronto, has announced the fifteen Edinburgh talents who will deploy superstar levels of floral art in the UK premiere - in Edinburgh - of its major new exhibition; Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE: a fresh floral celebration of Scotland’s remarkable art and the nation’s much-loved artists.
Robert Burns Mannequin x Flowers for All Occasions
Inspired by Alexander Nasmyth, Robert Burns, 1759 - 1796. Poet, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland.
Monarch of the Glen 'En Fleurs' x Gillytree Studio
This majestic floral stag is inspired by Sir Edwin Landseer’s The Monarch of the Glen, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland. One of the most famous British pictures of the 19th century; for many people, it encapsulates the grandeur and majesty of Scotland’s highlands and wildlife.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh Mannequin x Partyy Event and Penelope Fleur by KDM
His architectural masterpiece, the Glasgow School of Art, stands as evidence of his visionary genius, blending elements of Art Nouveau with his distinctive aesthetic.
Billy Connolly Edinburgh Playhouse Mannequin x Bonnie Bunches
Inspired by ‘The Big Yin’ and the landmark Edinburgh Playhouse, where Billy first performed in 1976, and numerous times since. Sir Billy Connolly, born in Glasgow in 1942, is a beloved comedian, musician, and actor whose career has spanned several decades, making him a cultural icon in Scotland and beyond.
Annie Lennox Mannequin x Flower Pixies
Inspired by the iconic outfit on the cover of Annie Lennox’s solo debut album, Diva, in 1992. Iconic Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox captivates audiences with her soulful voice, poignant lyrics, and magnetic stage presence.
John Byrne Mannequin x Wonder Flower
Inspired by esteemed portrait artist, playwright, and stage designer John Byrne. Wonder Flower invites you to enjoy their dreamlike floral interpretation of John Byrne‘s Self-portrait in a Flowered Jacket from the collection at National Galleries of Scotland.
Alexander McQueen Mannequin x Penelope Fleur by KDM
Inspired by the renowned designer’s collections influenced by his Scottish heritage and by Scottish culture, history, and traditions. He smoothly integrated elements of Scottish culture into his collections, drawing inspiration from the rugged landscapes, rich history, and iconic tartans of his ancestral homeland, reimagined through his avant-garde lens.
Dovecot Weaver Mannequin x Pirita Blooms
Inspired by the 2024 summer exhibition at Dovecot Studios that features The Caged Bird’s Song - showcasing how master weavers at Dovecot brought artist Chris Ofili's watercolor design to life, creating a stunning look that took over three years to create.
Scottish National Opera Mannequin x Flowers by Kerry
Inspired by the character of Violetta Valéry, from Scottish Opera’s production of La Traviata, directed by world-renowned Scottish director Sir David McVicar.
Jupiter Artland Mannequin x Boyes Botanics
Inspired by Joana Vasconcelos’ Gateway, a colorful and interactive swimming pool art installation at Jupiter Artland, made up of vigorous, hand-painted, Portuguese tiles.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancer Mannequin x Wildbells
Inspired by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers that celebrate the cultural tradition of highland dancing while showing how contemporary the art form can be.
Annie French Mannequin x Petals by the Shore
Inspired by Annie French’s The Pink Rose, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland. Known as one of the Glasgow Girls, French studied at Glasgow School of Art (GSA), from 1886-89, excelling as an illustrator and developing an exquisite linear technique.
Nicola Benedetti Mannequin x The Flower Studio
Inspired by the renowned violinist and the first Scottish and the first female Director of The Edinburgh International Festival since it began in 1947. Her ability to captivate audiences with her innate musicianship and spirited presence, coupled with her wide appeal as a high-profile advocate for classical music, has made her one of the greatest influential classical artists of today.
Prince Charles Edward Stuart Mannequin x Nikki Fleurs
Inspired by Scottish Painter Allan Ramsay’s Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 1745. Acquired by the National Galleries in 2016, it is widely recognized as one of the most important surviving Jacobite artifacts, showing Charles’ likeness during one of the most dramatic episodes in British history, when he became the last man to lead a Scottish army into England.
Maud Sulter Mannequin x Debrah J Flowers
Inspired by award-winning Scottish-Ghanaian visual artist Maud Sulter’s Terpsichore, one of nine subversive portrait photographs in her photographs series 'Zabat'.
More About Fleurs de Villes
Founded in 2015 by lifestyle and media experts Tina Barkley and Karen Marshall, Fleurs de Villes ('Flowers of the Cities') is a Vancouver, Canada-based luxury brand specializing in bespoke fresh-floral experiences and activations. Champions of experiential marketing in the form of large-scale floral installations, Fleurs de Villes is a floral storyteller, bringing brand legacies to bloom through flowers. Gardens, venues, and shopping districts come to life through fresh-floral place-making, retail engagement, and collaborations with some of the world’s biggest luxury brands and entertainment franchises.
Fleurs de Villes has produced over 100 unique luxury floral shows, uniting over 900 floral artists in major destinations across Canada, the United States, England, Scotland, and Australia. Leveraging local floral talent in every city, Fleurs de Villes creates authentic, engaging 360-degree experiences with omnichannel touch points across digital, video, social, print, and live platforms.
About the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a leading international research organization delivering knowledge, education, and plant conservation action around the world. Scotland's four Gardens at Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck, and Logan attract more than a million visitors annually. It operates as a Non-Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Government. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ministers. Its mission is “To explore, conserve, and explain the world of plants for a better future.” Lea
The Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE global tour will travel through the US, Canada, and the UK in 2024, stopping in cities including Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Vancouver, Dallas, Boston, and New York.
Photos by Alfie Marsh, @alfiemarshfilm.
