
Why are flowers fascinating? Do they have a bigger meaning? In this project, Jess Farr has lent into the beauty of flowers and how they have been used to create a whole new language.
In every way flowers are a part of our lives, whether we receive them as gifts, grow them in our gardens or simply walk past the weeds in the cracks of the pavement, they are everywhere. Farr wanted to celebrate flowers as a reminder to everyone that they should be appreciated and protected at all times. As well as flowers, Farr has been interested in Victorian garments. The large dresses reflect the shapes and volume of them. Upon her research into this, she discovered floriography. Also known as the dictionary of flowers and how they have secret meanings. She used this way of thinking to create a floral print with hidden messages. Farr hand drew each flower for her print, which reflects a similar aesthetic from Victorian wallpaper. As well as this, Farr was inspired by the way flowers are structured, so she created garments with big, bold shapes. She did this by quilting fabric so it would hold its shape, adding pleats and gathers to dresses and using pieces like a hoop skirt. Along with these impactful silhouettes, Farr created ruffles that curve around parts of the body. To create this structure Farr used sturdier fabrics such as cotton organdie and crinoline. Not only does this create a dramatic effect, it also resembles the delicate, but structured nature of petals by being translucent. To modernise her collection, Farr used bold colours and interesting silhouettes. The contrast in colours emphasises the print to make it stand out.