Lu Diamond Flowers arrangement inspired by Saben Mae handbag in white $420 and Tilly wallet in poppy $250. Image by Mike Rooke.
Spring is officially underway and Saben have collaborated with four talented floral designers to celebrate the season of beautiful blooms. They’ve called the pretty project”Primavera,” which is the Italian word for spring and roughly translates to mean “first true.” Spring is the first true full season of the Gregorian calendar, but also the first true chance that flowers have to bloom hence the perfect title for this collaboration.
Saben asked four of their favourite florists to create gorgeous floral compositions inspired by the brand’s new Exhale collection. Each florist used winsome new season blooms to create arrangements that beautifully complement each bag. Each floral arrangement is natural, flowing, textural, calm, elegant, sophisticated and unpretentious which align with Saben’s design principles. “For me, the design is always about more than just the product itself, asides from function, it is a form of expression,” says Saben’s founder Roanne Jacobson. “I love that the arrangements have become a standalone art form. It is exciting to be collaborating with these floral designers to revel in the new season and celebrate the uniqueness, both of the flowers and of each handbag.”
Eden Kersten, head florist at Auckland’s The Botanist arrangement paired slipper orchids and begonia leaves with Saben’s staple Big Sis’ Tilly in chestnut. “As the details in these flowers are just incredible, I feel like they are not your stereotypical flower and they showcase so much personality,” says Eden. “I love how each bloom is different, and how the heads stand proudly on top of their furry stems.” Eden was so inspired she made a second charming arrangement which pairs the oversized Saben Luna tote with hellebore flowers in two varieties to explore scale and volume.
Tina Heffer, owner designer of The Birdcage in Te Awamutu went with a soft and pretty arranged for the Cami in linen. She likes to be inspired by the natural offering “I am a bit of whatever takes me at the time,” adds Tina. Her bouquet explores texture, balance and colour “the tones were perfect to pair with Cami and the succulents and gum add unexpected interest and texture.”
Saben’s Rebe bag in moody prussian was the ideal choice for Georgie Malyon from Greenpoint Studios which is renowned for her darker take on floristry. Malyon took her inspiration from the lining of the Rebe and introduced bronze detailing. She cleverly pushed texture and balance to a sculptural and painterly dimension with her use of spray paint. “I use a lot of paint and other mediums combined with fresh and dried flowers to create my own floral style,” adds Georgie. “I wanted to bring my love of flower play to the shoot. My style is more is more.”
Lucy of Lu Diamond Flowers brought her signature colourful style to the Mae handbag in a crisp white and Saben staple Tilly in aptly named poppy red. “I love colours and lush frilly petals. For this arrangement I used carnations, anemones, mini cymbidiums and anthuriums – they all have that full lush heavy petal look and feel,” says Lucy. “Perfect for a beautiful arrangement that has texture and depth without being “too busy or overthought”.
These delightful photos are just the beginning of Primavera with Saben hosting a variety of in store and online activations with each florist over the Spring season. Stay tuned for more details.
Saben’s luscious new Exhale collection is available at Saben’s flagship store in Ponsonby, online and at Saben stockists throughout NZ and Australia. Prices from $65 to $589.
Lucy Houghton, Lu Diamond Flowers, inspired by Saben Mae handbag in white $420 and Tilly wallet in poppy $250 (left). Tina Heffer, The Birdcage NZ, inspired by Saben Cami handbag in linen $420 (right).
Eden Kersten, The Botanist, inspired by Saben Juno tote $489 (left). Georgie Malyon, Greenpoint Studios, inspired by Saben Rebe handbag in prussian $469 (right).
Greenpoint Studios inspired by Saben Rebe handbag in prussian $469.
The Botanist inspired by Saben Juno tote $489.
The Birdcage NZ inspired by Saben Cami handbag in linen $420.
Images by Mike Rooke.