Latest news with #ChelseaFlowerShow
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Millie Mackintosh's £60 Chelsea Flower Show dress is perfect for summer events
Millie Mackintosh wore a floral maxi dress from her Friends Like These collection with Next, and it's the perfect occasionwear dress that'll see you through all your summer events When she attended last week's Chelsea Flower Show, Millie Mackintosh not only nailed the floral theme in her maxi dress, but she also gave us some instant inspo on how to dress for summer occasions, too. The former Made in Chelsea star wore the Cream Chiffon Occasion Ruffle Maxi Dress from her Friends Like These collection, and it was everything we were looking for when it came to even dressing. The dress is available at Next for £59 and is part of Millie's latest spring/summer collection with the brand, and was designed to be the perfect elevated evening or occasion look. It's currently available in all sizes from 8 to 22, although the 8 is currently sold out. The maxi dress features a flattering V-neckline and has frill detailing along the neckline as well as along the underbust seam. This combined with the tie bow in the centre and fluttering short sleeves also give it a breezy, romantic feel. It's made from lightweight chiffon which makes it comfortable to wear and perfect for warmer weather, and gives it a floaty look that nails this season's boho trend. The two-tiered hemline also adds a little volume and drama that makes it more evening appropriate. Although the colourful floral print makes it perfect for the summer, if you've got a wedding coming up and think it might be too predominantly white to wear, we've found some other great high street options to shop, too. This ASOS DESIGN Petite Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress With Ruffle Godets in Pink Floral Print is £70 and has a similar silhouette to Milly's gorgeous dress. It has short flutter sleeves that help cover your upper arms and a sweetheart neckline, and is more fitted in the bodice than Milly's flowing maxi dress. However the skirt features vertical ruffle details that give it plenty of movement and flow, whilst the pink floral print makes sure you don't end up wearing too much white to a wedding. Meanwhile River Island's limited edition Blue Floral Ruffle Slip Maxi Dress is £85 and features a bold blue background with an oversized white floral print that's perfect for making an impact. It has asymmetrical straps and a simple ruffle detail on the shoulder, whilst the dress itself has a classic bias cut slip style that's flattering and chic. However if you want to copy Millie's style, you can snap up her Cream Chiffon Occasion Ruffle Maxi Dress in sizes 10 to 22 for £59 at Next now.
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea Flower Show sees a 'bouquet' of Boden's must-have pieces for spring
A range of Boden pieces were spotted in the crowds at this year's Chelsea Flower Show, including a range of vibrant colours and bold patterns that are perfect for spring and summer The Chelsea Flower Show is the event to watch when it comes to fabulous spring attire. Whether you're looking for pastel florals or bright and bold colours, the Flower Show's guests never fail to impress. At this year's event, plenty of Boden pieces were seen in the crowd, which are perfect to add to your spring and summer wardrobe, as they're all still in stock. Featured on Boden's official Instagram, various brightly coloured outfits gained the spotlight. Among the spring-ready lineup were this popular Embroidered Item Jacket, alongside this fast-selling Liv Boat Neck Linen T-Shirt and this coveted Marylebone Interest Blazer - and the best news is, they're all still available in various sizes, though they are selling like hot cakes, so you'll need to move quickly. The Embroidered Item Jacket (£220) has been touted as one to watch, as over 200 customers have checked out this item today. Coming in two patterns, this vibrant piece features a bold and colourful design that's sure to turn heads. The Islington jacket features all-over embroidery in bright colours that are suited to this time of year. And this beauty doesn't just win points for style, it's also got you covered for comfort as it features a soft cotton lining. Seen elsewhere at the Chelsea Flower Shower was this Liv Boat Neck Linen T-Shirt (£80), which is a strong contender for the ultimate staple t-shirt this spring. Featuring a simplistic striped pattern, this gem is made from the popular linen that keeps it light and breezy on warmer days. The short-sleeved t-shirt is cool on the skin and boasts a stylish boat neckline for a fun twist on a casual design. Last but not least was this highly sought-after Marylebone Interest Blazer (£270). Coming in a navy colourway, this jacket features a vibrant floral embroidered design. The Stamford blazer adds a spring flare to classic tailoring. The embroidered linen jacket boasts a semi-fitted cut and simple-breasted shape with a reverse collar, sleeves, contrast piping, and welt pockets—details that characterise an iconic tailored jacket but with a fun twist. That said, this item is only left in a couple of sizes due to its popularity, so you'll need to hurry to pick up your size before it's gone too. If you're shopping around for alternative embroidered pieces, Next has this Love & Roses Ecru Floral Pattern Embroidered Jacket for £66. Meanwhile, FatFace is offering this Zoe Ivory Embroidered Jacket for £65, and Nobody's Child has this Poppy Delevingne White Embroidered Willow Jacket up for grabs for £150.
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa's Fynbos wins gold at UK flower competition as Kirstenbosch maintains strategic absence
The beautiful display of Fynbos that won gold. Image: Supplied For the sixth consecutive year, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden did not exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which manages the iconic garden, confirmed that its decision to step away from the world-renowned event was made in 2019 and remains in place. According to Nontsikelelo Mpulo, Director of Marketing, Communication and Commercialisation at SANBI, the decision was based on a combination of practical and strategic considerations. 'The Chelsea Flower Show was a costly exercise for the organisation with no clear return on investment,' said Mpulo. 'Our displays featured indigenous flowers and materials that were often confiscated at the UK border and not permitted for use. Additionally, our sponsors withdrew their support.' The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further affected SANBI's financial stability, and revenue has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. While a return to Chelsea has not been ruled out, Mpulo said the organisation is exploring local alternatives, including plans to establish a Biodiversity Expo in the Western Cape and Gauteng. 'It has been some time since Kirstenbosch participated in the show. The questions you pose have periodically come to the organisation, and our position remains the same,' she added. Despite its absence from Chelsea, Kirstenbosch continues to be celebrated internationally. It has been named one of the top ten gardens in the world by The New York Times, received the 2024 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award, and was voted Best Botanical Garden in Africa by the World Luxury Travel Awards in 2023. South Africa won big Image: Supplied Kirstenbosch also became the first South African botanical garden to receive Level IV accreditation from the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Programme and The Morton Arboretum in the USA — an honour currently shared by just 46 gardens worldwide. While Kirstenbosch was not at Chelsea, South Africa was proudly represented by designer Leon Kluge and horticulturist Tristan Woudberg, whose spectacular fynbos exhibit won a gold medal at the 2025 show. The display captured the beauty and diversity of the Cape Floristic Region through two towering mountain slopes divided by a ravine, designed to evoke a secret Cape waterfall in springtime and constructed with over 25,000 stems of fynbos blooms. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve was one of several sponsors supporting Kluge's display, alongside Hazendal Wine Estate, the Rupert Nature Foundation and Southern Sun. Michael Lutzeyer, owner of Grootbos, expressed his pride in the team's achievement. Chelsea Flowers in Stanford will be open to the public in spring from 10-24 September 2025 Image: Supplied 'I am delighted and proud of Leon Kluge's fynbos display which received international recognition and a gold-award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, confirming what we at Grootbos have always known — the Cape Floristic Region is one of the most beautiful and unique regions of the world and fynbos itself is the star of the show. "Grootbos was one of the proud sponsors of the exhibit which celebrates the beauty of fynbos — thank you and well done to the whole team who worked so hard. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and the Grootbos Foundation have protected and conserved this landscape for 25 years and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has confirmed that the world (and even the fox) believes this biodiversity hotspot is worth protecting.' To ensure South Africans can also experience the magic of Chelsea, Grootbos and the Grootbos Foundation will sponsor a full-scale replica of the winning display in the village of Stanford. Titled Chelsea Flowers in Stanford, the exhibition will run from 10 to 24 September 2025 and coincide with the region's spring bloom.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Special guests to star at festival celebrating nature, music and arts
SPECIAL guests will take centre stage at a four-day festival celebrating community, art, nature and music from across the world. The Harmony Festival will take place at St Mary's Church on Edward Road in Dorchester from Wednesday June 11 to Saturday, June 14. Filled with energy and creative expression, nature will take centre stage quite literally with the church to be adorned in a plethora of colours depicting elements of art and music. The floral designers are previous Chelsea Flower Show medal winners, Jo Richards and Helen Joyce , principals of the Academy of Floristry in Bournemouth. Local artists will be displaying their works both inside and outside the church, giving visitors the chance to wander through the gallery of paintings and sculptures. Sculptures on display will include Robert Marshall's installation of a front door scorched and bombed during war in Ukraine. It was previously on display in Bridport. Landscape Artist of the Year Ben McGregor will be on hand on Friday for a live paint-out in the grounds. His painting will be auctioned for Weldmar Hospicecare. Guests will be able to enjoy musical performances from individual artists and choral groups. Tik Tok and YouTube star Matt Walters, aka Reductiomusic, is fitting in an organ recital at the festival on Saturday in whilst he is on his UK-wide Cathedral tour. Other concerts include the West Dorset Singers, Broadoak Choir, Dorchester Rock Choir and Encore Singers. Supporting the end of life charity Weldmar Hospicecare, the festival will also feature a selection from the baby herd of Stampede elephants created by local schools before they make their way to the Corn Exchange. On top of all this, an artisan pop-up market will join the final two days of the festival for those on the lookout for a gift. A spokesperson for the event said: 'Bring friends, family and an open heart, and be transported into a realm where creativity flourishes, harmony abounds and friendships blossom amidst the backdrop of one of Dorchester's beautiful landmarks. 'Mark your calendars and be part of this magnificent summer event – let the Harmony Festival awaken your spirit and reaffirm the connections that unite us all.' Full information on all events can be found at
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King's royal seal of approval for Weymouth florist
A FLORIST won a royal seal of approval for her spectacular display at Chelsea Flower Show. Denise Jones, from Wyke Regis, won gold in the floristry category, with a nautical showstopper representing the mental health benefits of cold-water swimming. And to make her day, King Charles, who regularly attends the show in Chelsea, was drawn to her substantial flower piece and stopped to discuss the design with her. She said: 'He walked past my exhibit and came over to me and I wasn't on the protocol - it was completely off the cuff. 'He was really interested in the organic shape of the willow structures. It was a really warm conversation and totally unexpected.' Denise, who has been a florist for 25 years, committed to making it her full time job after the pandemic in 2020, but found working in a studio by herself isolating. As a result, she joined The Black Pigs swimming group and found the support, combined with the new hobby, greatly helped the mental health challenges she had been facing. (Image: Denise Jones) She said: 'They are amazing. In the first instance, I joined to sea swim as it's a good mood booster. 'As a group, it's not just about swimming – they check in with me and cheer me on. Even when I couldn't swim, they'd ask how I was doing. They were just amazing.' To represent the groups sense of unity, Denise created Ebb and Bloom: Textures of Emotion, a 3X3m structure in the shape of three waves. It was one of the most ambitious in the competition and represented the tumultuous nature of mental health, with currents that can take people under. The flowers weaved into the structure signified light at the end of the tunnel and were specially selected as plants that represent hope and healing. (Image: Denise Jones) Denise, 58, who had never previously worked with willow, chose the material as it grows close to the sea. She undertook workshops to learn how to work with the new material and the waves took two and a half months to produce. It was then compiled with the floral arrangements and presented on May 24. 'It needed to be impactful and not just a few flower arrangements,' Denise said, 'I created three huge willow waves, designed the frame and weaved green and white willow for the crest. 'The theme [was] that mental health can be overwhelming, so that was the thought process behind it.' (Image: Denise Jones) The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is hosted annually by the Royal Horticultural Society and shows off the work of world-renowned plant specialists, florists and garden designers. Denise qualified for the competition when she competed at the Maulvern Autumn RHS show in September, where she placed 1st against 16 areas in the UK. Speaking of her incredible achievement, she said: 'It is the Wimbledon of the flower world. I'm speechless. It's surreal because it was such a big space and I had a vision, and I can honestly say I was so happy I finished.' 'I didn't even think I'd get a medal [so] to get a gold first time competing, it was surreal.' (Image: Denise Jones) Denise also runs her own workshops in her shop, The Floral Peacock Studio, to boost creativity and wellbeing in the community, as the swimming group did for her. The Black Pigs Swimming Group, named after a boat on Smallmouth Beach, are an open water swimming group based in Weymouth. Many of its members have accredited the group to helping them through turbulent times and mental health issues. Denise said: 'I started sea swimming because I thought it would give me purpose and boost my own mood which it did and that has become a big integral part of my life. 'Two came to see me at Chelsea and they were a big part of that journey. It's an amazing group of people. We're like minded and local and everybody is looking out for everybody else.'
