An Orchid Fashion Show in Hawaii

 

 

One of the best new events at the Orchid Show this year was a the orchid fashion walk and it was really spectacular to see beautiful women and one orchid creature strut down the runway.

 

 

 

There were all shapes and sizes of orchids worn by Hilo Orchid Society members, donning their best show outfits to complement their flower installations like this beautiful off the shoulder arrangement below.

 

 

 

 

 

What a beautiful smile and don't you love the photo with the dendrobiums in the back of her gown, the white against ruby red sets off the orchids perfectly don't you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another beautiful model with victorian regalia and large orchids to match her jewelry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is our victorian lady below with a more proper collection of yellow oncidiums to match her hat,  below you will see her in her orchid garden room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whats a fashion show without a bride and this model steals the show with her almost all white orchid ensemble of dendrobium and oncidium orchids...below is a detail shot and complete outfit.

 

 

 

 

 

Watch out its a major orchid collection walking down the catwalk!

I love this last photo, it shows how everyone really loves their orchids on their outfits, even zany ones work at this show!

Well that was a first for this year, and hopefully more to come. It was a fun event to see and I hope that you enjoyed our first orchid fashion show.

This is my contribution fertilizer friday, visit here to see other flowers in the world todayhttp://www.tootsietime.com/
 

Hilo Orchid Society Show 2012

 

 

One of the best orchid shows to experience in Hawaii is at the annual orchid show by the Hilo Orchid Society.  The combination of commercial orchid growers, enthusiasts and orchid lovers makes this one of the must see shows for all orchid lovers.

Every year a new theme is chosen and this year’s title ‘ Islands of Orchids’ creates the lure of these exotic orchids throughout the island chain.  This three day event is jammed packed with educational seminars, musical entertainment and pre-view parties, complete themed displays and of course the opportunity to purchase some of the most exotic, unusual and newer hybrids that are being introduced into the market, many not available in your regular garden centers.

Its definitely worth a visit to put this in your itinerary when visiting Hawaii Island since it's the biggest show in all of the state focused on just orchids.

Here are a few highlights from this year’s events.

 

Beautiful vignettes created like this one below with a victorian attired model in Hawaiian regalia along with live orchids details on her costume.

 

 

Another orchid vignette with an exploding volcano and lava flowing in the midst of this colorful orchid forest below.

 

I stopped immediately when I saw beautiful light illuminate the petals of these intensely colored cattleyas, making them appear to take flight.

 

 

Another grouping of beautifully backlit cymbidiums, making them more vivid and alive.

 

 

There were lots of exciting and unusual color combinations to be seen like this vivid hot pink

and maroon cattleya orchid.

 

More subtle and textural, these vandas give you a moment of calm and respite to the

shocking and bright colors all around the show.

 

I usually am not fond of pale colored orchids but this light pastel cattleya drew my attention right away…I think the quiet orchids also can demand a lot of attention if you spend the time to look at all their amazing details.

 

 

I’m guessing this is a variety of oncidium, unfortunately I did not have anything to write on and I wanted to really just enjoy the flowers and photography at this point.

 

 

Another dramatic paphiopedilum variety, I love the showy petals on this beauty.

 

 

These paphiopedilum or lady slippers have so much presence and color assaulting me with their strange forms and inviting a more detailed observation.

 

 

Following are more unusual or colorful varieties I spotted while walking around the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This years event was truly spectacular. I enjoyed it thoroughly and even sang with our men’s chorus on the weekend event when the general audience attends and the audience enjoyed our music while seeing some amazing flowers.

 

This is my contribution to garden bloom day, to see other gardens in bloom today go visit

http://www.maydreamsgardens.com

Hilo Orchid Show

 

I’m always giddy at around this time frame when the Hilo Orchid show is begins, it is truly one of the biggest and most exotic of Orchid Shows in Hawaii.  Surprisingly, I was not done finishing last years images which was quite a spectacular show, so I’m presenting it now before the next show begins.

 

 

I’m glad I got a chance to finally finish these and present some of the showstoppers from last years event especially since the new show is just around the corner.

 

 

 

There are some amazing orchid growers on Hawaii Island, along with plenty of serious enthusiasts and collectors that are creating with some fantastic new hybrids and incredibly colorful specimens.

 

 

Dazzling displays like the showcases above blend in a profusion of colors and different orchid varieties.

 

 

 

 

The colors are always over the top and so unusual in color combinations like this cattleya orchid with hot yellow and white petals with soft purple lips.

 

 

Almost alien looking and bright orange masdevallia orchids pop dramatically against this blue background, don’t they look totally out of this world?

 

 

I love this showcase with a Southeast asian tropical flair with hot pink, red and orange dendrobium and epidendrums and miltonias.

 

 

I was lucky to come later in the afternoon and beautiful light filtered into the stadium and creating beautiful backlit portraits like this one orchid spray below.

Here’s the front to the backlit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An almost alien looking specimen about to lift off!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another alien looking masdevallia orchid.

 

 

I’m a sucker for these gorgeous brassavola orchids.

 

 

 

Backlit and stunning don’t you agree?

 

 

Another grouping of cattleya lit but the late afternoon light, its truly dazzling to see.

 

 

Last, are some intense yellow paphiopedilum or lady slipper orchids end this amazing show at Hilo.

 

 

 

It is always fun to visit this yearly event and be wowed by the colorful displays, orchid vignettes and new hybrids that are being presented.  When you are visiting the Big Island, try to make it to see this wonderful event.

La Majorelle

I’m revisiting this beautiful garden again with photos I’m finally completing from my archives, why did I forget about this beautiful garden?  Oh well, I’m glad to rediscover this treasure of Le Jardin Majorelle and the home of Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakesh.







The front entrance has these pink stucco walls with interesting layered and carved motifs fronting a simple fountain. The reflecting pool is lined with beautiful blue, purple and green mosaic tiles and a marble fountain base. It felt very welcoming and intrigued visitors to come into the bamboo grove  with colorful pots in primary colors.







The tall culms of bamboo with colorful pots draw you further into this oasis, I’m shocked to see a whole grove of bamboo in this more typical mediterranean and desert environment.








The collection of cactus and succulents is impressive with large and mature specimens offering large sculptural vignettes.  Here visitors have placed their marks on some cactus away from the usually pestering guards wandering around.







Tall palms and desert cactus give a more realistic appeal to the exotic Moroccan topography.









The signature blue color predominant all over the gardens and villa and gives
Le Jardin Majorelle  instant recognition with its famous blue color.






Totally loving the huge yellow pots with the all blue fountain adding to the exotic
allure of this amazing place.







An enticing courtyard with sitting areas invites you to lounge and admire the views.







More natural sculpture found in the garden.
















Here, the signature Majorelle blue predominates this walled garden and is filled with the
heavenly scent of brugmansia or angles trumpet.












A large water lily garden creates layered vistas through the entire garden and all the amazing palm collections growing in the gardens. Its easy to sit on the many benches and contemplate the scenery unfolding before you.









YSL loved his dogs and created many montages that became posters and Christmas cards,
here’s one of my favorites of his dog Moujik.







I’m wearing blue as a tribute this this amazing place, even though its not Majorelle blue.










One of my favorite vistas with a hint of blue from the villa with striking yellow curtains.






Lots of blooms happening with various cactus, here I’ve capture gorgeous blooms from this magnificent specimen.





So glad to discover these photos again and relive my visit to this alluring garden, hope you also enjoyed the tour of Le Jardin Majorelle.