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Asha McKenzie

BXASHAORCHID217248A_2024-02-16-08-31-27

Botanical Gardens Orchid show is opening tomorrow, but news 12 got an all access pass to give you all a look today ahead of the official opening. The theme this year is floral in fashion and that's where News station mckenzie is right now. And she's showing that too with her outfit and they have a runway ready art installation. Honestly, Christy Dan, it is gorgeous, like we said all morning long fashion week is over in New York, but it's not over here at the New York Botanical Garden. Take a look right now. We are inside Hillary Taymor's Gallery here at the uh orchid show florals in fashion and joining me right now is Mia Wright. She is the manager of interpretive content here at the botanical garden and this has just been an incredible space. Each three of the designers have a totally different look and Taymore seems like it's just like animals meets humans. It's what did you think? Fantastical is what you call it. Fantastical. Yeah, Hillary was really thinking about this concept of flora and fauna. So she created these animal human hybrids, sort of fantastical models to show the floral fashions. It's honestly incredible. People are gonna have a treat when they come here, but it's not just the show that you guys are putting on. There are other events that people can be a part of. Absolutely. Every weekend we have special programming going on, you can talk to an orchid expert. You can uh check out our scent table and smell what orchids smell like. Um And then on several uh select nights we have our orchid nights which are featuring the incredible dance group, the iconic International House of Miyaki Mugla. And that is a show that you will not want to miss. So those start on March 30th. And for you seeing the show year after year, what makes the show so special and different fashion is something that everyone connects to in their own way. And we're hoping that when people come to this show, they just feel inspired to really express themselves and have fun. And I think that's something that's a little bit different about this show this year is it's really interactive, it's really fun and we just want people to come and kind of strut their stuff and have some fun. So you want people to dress up, you see how we have our floor on. This is how people should look. So if you wanna check out a lot of those events that Michael just talked about that's over on the botanical gardens website, we're going to have it on new.com as well. For you. And honestly, when you come here just enjoy it. And I think Orchid Nights is really the place to be if you're 21 and up. Right. Absolutely. There's a bar, there's lights, there's music, there's no place better to be. All right. Well, the show kicks off this weekend. So if you don't have weekend plans, strut the runway, show off your stuff, it's going to be a great time. I'm gonna send it back to you, Chris and Dan.

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Tried to be a part of the show myself with this dress and honestly, I am no match to these beautiful art installations made with these gorgeous flowers. So I'm showing you another one right here. This is by fashion designer Olivia Chen and it's all about a very edgy look and a big focus on the hair as well. Can we, can we get a round of applause for that? She's one of the designers featured here at the New York Botan Gardens Orchid Show Florals and Fashion. And her fashion brand uses a lot of upcycled vintage codes with press flowers and has since expanded to the botanical. So to talk about the show, I have Mia right with me right now. She is the manager of interpretive content here at NYBG. This show is stunning. Thank you so much for joining us. So what went into the show to bring it to life? Uh A lot of people, a lot of excitement. Um you know, the orchids are sort of the diva of the plant world and we wanted to find a really fun way to um kind of let them have the spotlight this spring. Um and we thought fashion was a perfect fit fashion uh has been inspired by the natural world for so long and continues to be. And so we're just looking to have a little bit of fun. Um So we brought in these incredible designers um and they with it. So speaking of these designers, they all have such a unique taste to what they wanted to do with these installations here for the show. How did you go about picking the designers? What were you guys looking for? Well, we're obviously looking for some uh folks who were really engaged with the botanical world, you know, designers who are working with flowers. Um and they all fit that in a really different way. So Olivia of Dauphin Net works with real botanicals preserved in resin she up cycles, sustainability is an important part of her brand as well. Kalina Strada by Hillary Tamar is kind of on the forefront of sustainable fashion and she's really inspired by these sort of almost um futuristic uh botanical prints. And then Kristen Flower pistol um is a botanical artist and she creates wearable plant uh sort of creations. And so every single one fits the brief.

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BXORCHIDSHOW216246A_2024-02-16-06-27-05

Week may be over. But that the New York Botanical Garden, it's just getting started. Yeah. News 12 as Mackenzie is in the observatory or the Conservatory rather, you get us a look at the stunning pieces on display for this year's orchid show. Flora's in fashion, right? Yes. Hey, Christian Dan. So I had to start on this piece right here. Just take a look at this. This is a statement work of art here at the New York Botanical Gardens Orchid show florals in fashion. This is by botanical artist Kristen Al Paul and she's actually one of three designers here in the show. But fun fact, she is the only artist. The other three are very talented fashion designers and one of her signature looks is actually painting the flowers to look like this. So you see the metallic on the big leaves here, those are real and those are actually hand painted. And if we look over here, this is another one of her pieces here at the botanical garden and look how fashionable it is. This is also done by Flower Pistol, which is Chris Al Paul's other name when it comes to being a botanical artist. And this show, whole show is all about being a fashionista, right? It's like meant to inspire you meant to make you feel creative. And when we spoke to Flower Pistol, she said that for her, it took a lot of soul searching when she put the show together. I'm feeling a mix of emotions right now. I put a ton of work into this exhibit and it feels so close to my heart. It's, there's a lot of vulnerability here. So sharing this side of myself and sort of what makes me me, you know, is very empowering. And I think it's a journey that we're all on as humans is to understand our different selves and how we are the way we are, why we are the way we are. And when you come out here, you'll really feel why Christen Al Paul feels that way about this show. There is definitely an energy at the New York Botanical Garden for this florals and fashion orchid show.

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BXASHA216245A_2024-02-16-05-31-42

It's looking like New York Fashion Week has come to the observatory. Yeah, you may be wondering where's news 12 as mckenzie. Well, she's there giving us a preview of what you can expect to see a good morning. Good morning, Chris and Dan. Do I look like I'm on the runway? I love it. I love the theme of the orchid show. Florals and fashion here. Listen, we have an all access pass this morning and I've been to many orchid shows here at the NYBG, but this show is like none other. Yes, the orchids are on display in their natural beauty, but take a look at this. Some of them are constructed into fashion statements like they're ready to hit the runway like I am. And when you come to visit here, there are three different galleries that you could take a look at right by three different designers. And since this is all about fashion, as you can tell the NYBG says they want you to come out like you are in a fashion show. I think it'll be a great opportunity for the visitors to come and strike their own pose. So there's moments in the show where people we hope will come dressed in their floral best and can participate in a, in a very personal way. All right. So you want to follow instructions, right? Come in your floral best looking absolutely amazing. And the show officially opens tomorrow. If you want to check it out, kick off your weekend plans here at the New York Botanical Garden and in the six o'clock hour, we will be right back here giving you another look at the show and speaking with one of the designers about what the vision was for their part of the gallery. But for now reporting here at the New York Botanical Garden, Asia mckenzie News 12 back to you guys.

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The Orchid Show is back at the New York Botanical Garden, and it's looking like New York Fashion Week has come to the observatory!

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