FLOWER POWER DECORATING: MARK COLLE

MARK COLLE

For flowers that decorate the imagination as well as whatever physical spaces they occupy, no one can do it better than Mark Colle.

The Belgian floral designer creates genius designs and installations for the world of fashion that are both astonishingly innovative and stunningly beautiful. We revisited Colle’s groundbreaking floral designs, that made their mark both in the fashion & event industries, creating trends that continue to carry on.

“Holy Flowers: Fade Into You,” a film by photographer and filmmaker Pierre Debusschere and stylist Robbie Spencer for Dazed & Confused featured Colle’s floral designs. Debusschere, produces iconic music and fashion videos for stars including Beyonce’s “Ghost” and “Mine,” has long been inspired by Colle’s ideas and approach.

Colle first made a huge impact on both fashion and floral design in his groundbreaking work for designer Raf Simons’ debut haute couture show for Christian Dior in 2012. Colle designed an homage to Dior’s passion for flowers and gardening. Using flowers as a medium, like paint or clay, in some ways, Colle’s work is sometimes reminiscent of the early work of Jeff Koons.

For the Dior show, Colle decked the walls of a 16th arrondissement hôtel particulier with thick fresh floral “wallpaper.” Every square inch of the walls of each room were completely covered a different color and variety of flower blossoms and leaves. He started the “flower wall” trend that blossomed big time, appearing at high end weddings and fashion industry events.

Since the Dior debut, Colle has created many more spectacular floral spaces for Simons, including a watershed show for Jil Sander, as well as for Dries van Noten, Viktor & Rolf, and more for Dior.

According to Debusschere, the Jil Sander show was a big inspiration for the Holy Flowers film.

You can view the Holy Flowers film here.

Now considered one of the top floral designers in Europe, Colle also operates Baltimore Bloemen, a florist shop near the Graan market in Antwerp. The flower wall there presents blossoms, arranged according to the color wheel. If there’s an important event in your future, and flowers are your passion, Colle is your guy.

For more floral decoration inspiration, check out Extraordinary Floral Gifts and Fine Art Paper Flowers.

Read more about Beautiful Decorations in  Over-The-Top Destination Christmas Trees,  Time to Decorate Somebody! Mesmerizing Neon Mandalas by James Stanford, and 10 Swoon-Worthy New Design & Decorating Books.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Still from “Holy Flowers: Fade Into You.” Film by Pierre Debusschere and Robbie Spencer. Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Dazed.
2. Image: Detailed view of “Wall of Flowers.” Set design for Christian Dior fashion show. Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Mark Colle.
3. Image: Still from “Holy Flowers: Fade Into You.” Film by Pierre Debusschere and Robbie Spencer. Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Dazed.
4. Image: Still from “Holy Flowers: Fade Into You.” Film by Pierre Debusschere and Robbie Spencer. Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Dazed.
5. Image: “Wall of Flowers.” Set design for Christian Dior fashion show. Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Mark Colle.
6. Image: Floral wall installation for Maasmechelen Village.  Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Mark Colle.
7. Image: “Wall of Flowers.” Set design for Christian Dior fashion show. Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Mark Colle.
8. Image: Still from “Holy Flowers: Fade Into You.” Film by Pierre Debusschere and Robbie Spencer. Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Dazed.
9. Image: “Christian Dior Paris Runway Spring/Summer at Yellowtrace.” Floral installation by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Mark Colle.
10. Image: Still from “Holy Flowers: Fade Into You.” Film by Pierre Debusschere and Robbie Spencer. Floral design by Mark Colle. Courtesy of Dazed.