Her breakthrough moment came during the 2015 Melbourne Royal Show when Phillipa was commissioned to create the major pieces for awardment, including the most prestigious equestrian event in the country, The Garryowen. Phillipa changed the face of the garland industry and broke new ground by using the history of the event as the concept of the garland. It was this moment that catapulted her garland into success that she became booked out a year in advance.
Floral Friday ~ Hats and Horses
This week, we are going off “track” a bit to recognize flowers adorning hats & horses.
At our flagship branch in Louisville, the Kentucky Derby, AKA Run for the Roses®, is a big deal and the first of the Triple Crown Races. With the derby coming up in a few weeks, let’s take a look at a little information on the winner flower blankets and outrageous hat pics to influence your race day attire.
Throw yourself a party or THREE, don a hat, and find a little bit of inspiration. Ladies… don’t forget that a hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times during race day.
“Garland of Roses.” Garland of Roses | 2018 Kentucky Derby & Oaks | May 4 and 5, 2018, www.kentuckyderby.com/history/traditions/garland-of-roses
Kentucky Derby – More than 400 red Freedom Roses are sewn into a green satin backing with the seal of the Commonwealth on one end and the Twin Spires and number of the race’s current renewal on the other. Each garland is also adorned with a “crown” of roses, green fern and ribbon. The “crown,” a single rose pointing upward in the center of the garland, symbolizes the struggle and heart necessary to reach the Derby Winner’s Circle. Did you know that the Kentucky Derby Rose Garland is the most recognized floral arrangement in the world? Pretty amazing!
Photo and Information: Hazelparkraceway.com
Preakness Stakes – The winner is draped in a blanket of Viking Pomps. It’s usually called a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans, but since the Maryland state flower doesn’t bloom until June, Vikings play the part.
Exploring the Belmont’s Blanket of Carnations by Americasbestracing.net
Belmont Stakes – 700 White Carnations are used to create the 40-pound blanket which is draped over the winner. The flowers are glued in staggered rows to seven yards of green velvet cloth, folded and sewn to give it the heft to shape and support the carnations.
Feature Image: Top row Millinery by Philip Treacy, Rose Garland by Kentucky Derby, Red Duchess Rose Hat by Jacqueline Ahne, Horse Floral Design by Michelle Lywood
About Us
Meet Phillipa, a creative entrepreneur driven by passion for inspiring, life-giving floral design. She works in an art medium that allows her to build a story using unexpected colours and textures of what is like a secret garden. A journey as a successful equestrian led Phillipa from just-because arrangements and flowers, to creating bespoke pieces for committees Australia-wide. She has spent over 25 years in the equestrian world which included coaching, judging and horses competing at a national level.
| How did it all start?
One of the most coveted prizes an equestrian can be awarded for a major win is a floral garland that is wrapped around the neck of the horse and paraded during its lap of honour. It is here, midway through judging a horse show and admiring one of the garlands that was being awarded, Phillipa stopped to look at the detail. This was the turning point for Phillipa, who from then on never met a flower she did not stop to smell.
She decided to attempt to create one herself, and it started on a bedroom floor with an archaic sewing machine. It quickly escalated into a budding business, HM Garlands, and Phillipa became known for creating works of art to be adored and cherished, the garlands often framing the walls of peoples homes.
| And so she bloomed
Her reputation as a flower creator soared and she won the tender for the show horse council of Australasia as their official garland supplier with major magazine coverage. Phillipa was booked for shows across the country including Brisbane Royal Show, Horse of the year committee and countless events around the nation.
Her breakthrough moment came during the 2015 Melbourne Royal Show when Phillipa was commissioned to create the major pieces for awardment, including the most prestigious equestrian event in the country, The Garryowen. Phillipa changed the face of the garland industry and broke new ground by using the history of the event as the concept of the garland. It was this moment that catapulted her garland into success that she became booked out a year in advance.
To Phillipa, hers are not just a collection of flowers. Each creation is the culmination of the dream of winning and the magic of that moment.
Phillipa’s design standards are guided by unwavering core principles:
● Promoting the use of local products and respecting biodiversity.
● Always working closely with her clients to create unique pieces carrying sentimental meaning.
● Using natural resources responsibly and respecting the environment.
In between growing her floral empire and travelling the country, Phillipa also started her family in 2020, and took a sea change break to focus on her new addition. | What comes next
Enter 2022, and Phillipa has been quietly working away on a new collection and elevated direction for HM Garlands. Phillipa is focusing on interior home and personal space styling, creating bespoke pieces of artificial floral arrangements.
Christmas has always held a special place in Phillipa’s heart and family, and naturally, this is where HM Grande Flora kicks off. Each piece is unique, and pulls together a handmade masterpiece to spread joy and love to those around it.
Table centrepieces come alive and sprinkle Christmas magic, using colours such as Hamptons whites, golds and reds, and materials like pine cones from the ancient trees in the Southern Highlands. Each piece tells a story and each piece is made with a festive feeling of family love and joy; and everyone is invited to the party.
This is just the beginning. The future holds bespoke pieces for all areas of the home and office, including the spontaneous corners of your world.
“Welcome to HM Grande Flora 2022. I hope you enjoy the Christmas collection and I urge you to always, always stop to smell the roses.”
~ Phillipa
