“The 21st edition of the iconic orchid exhibition at The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion, is a fashion-inspired celebration of all things orchid. Running Saturday, February 17 through Sunday, April 21, 2024, the sartorial scene is set by thousands of diverse orchids and accessorizing plants in dramatic, picture-perfect installations, highlighting the bold, fashion-themed creations of three rising design stars—Collina Strada by Hillary Taymour, Dauphinette by Olivia Cheng, and FLWR PSTL a.k.a. Kristen Alpaugh—who have all been inspired by nature.

The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion explores the beauty of these formidable flowers through the striking displays of the featured designers. As visitors enter the Haupt Conservatory’s Palms of the World Gallery, they experience a ‘First Look’ installation of floral dresses designed by Dauphinette. In front of a wall of orchids, mirrors, and other plants, mannequins on a grand staircase are adorned with Olivia Cheng’s dramatic arrangements, including headdresses of Tillandsia air plants suspended within an orb to create a floating effect. The plant-based outfits are delicately made of colorful living material, such as elegant blue-green tresses of Huperzia, pastel rosettes of Echeveria, and delicate Spanish moss. The scene sets the stage for the exhibition and begins the orchid-dotted journey through the Conservatory’s verdant Lowland and Upland Rain Forest Galleries. There’s an orchid diversity display along the way and later, a tunnel of lights where visitors can strut their stuff as if walking the catwalk.” — NYBG

Title image The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion, Dauphinette by Olivia Cheng.

NYBG Photos by Marlon Co. Images courtesy The New York Botanical Garden.