Postcards from The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York, USA

The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, New York has been an annual Spring tradition for Luxury Experience for many years. Every year the show is a different and spectacular feast for the eyes when the colorful displays of orchids fill the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with their beauty and fragrance. New for the 2024 show, fashion takes its prominent place for their 21^st annual Orchid Show with the theme, “Florals in Fashion” with designers Collina Strada by Hillary Taymour, Dauphinette by Olivia Cheng, and FLWR PSTL by Kristen Alpaugh participating. The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden is sponsored by Guerlain and runs until April 22, 2024. If you love and appreciate orchids, The Orchid Show should definitely be on your calendar to attend.

Florals in Fashion

Flowers have long inspired fashion with their vast range of exotic hues, shapes, and patterns, and so when we learned that the theme for the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show was “Florals in Fashion” it made perfect sense, and we eagerly looked forward to experiencing the show.

On a very rainy Saturday, on March 2, 2024, we drove to the Bronx to experience the “fashion show” and once again were impressed with what the NYBG team and the designers Collina Strada by Hillary Taymour, Dauphinette by Olivia Cheng, and FLWR PSTL by Kristen Alpaugh had created for an enthralling show that dazzled the senses by transforming the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a fashion and floral paradise.

While the photos capture some of the exquisite details of the fashionable collection, the designs must be seen in person to genuinely appreciate the creativity and innovative presentation and use of plants and materials by the designers to create a floral fashion fantasy.

FLWR-PSTL – Kristen Alpaugh

As we strolled through the Conservatory and took a closer look at Oncidium orchids, also called Dancing Lady Orchids, it was easy to see how they might have inspired fashion designers with their delicate flowers and exquisite shapes cascading down long thin branches. When they were introduced to Europe from the Americas in 1830s their stunning flowers were thought to resemble ladies wearing ruffled ball gowns. Perhaps their stately flowers and whimsical and fanciful shapes may have provided designers with inspiration throughout the ages due to their shapes as well as richly exotic color combinations.

Twinkle Oncidium Orchid

Oncidium orchids usually come in shades of white, yellow, red, and brown and their lush shapes enchant the senses. A few stunning examples of Oncidium orchids include Goldfire with its reddish-brown body trimmed with yellow its edges; Sharry Baby Sweet Fragrance with its “bodice” of reddish pink and a whitish-pink tinged “skirt;” Twinkle with its creamy combination of ivory and pale yellow; and Crimson Pride in shades of deep pink and white, to name but a few of the interesting and gorgeous color combinations. Interesting to note about oncidium orchids are that most are epiphytes, meaning that they grow on trees rather than growing in the ground.

Oncidium Sharry Baby Fragrance

As always, we were totally enchanted by The Orchid Show at the NYBG and its rich variety of colorful orchids including Dendrobium, Miltoniopsis also known as Pansy Orchids that resemble the pansy flower, the richly exotic Paphiopedilum also known as Slipper Orchids, and Phaleanopsis also known as Moth Orchids with their distinctive moth-like shape, as a few examples of the diversity of the collection on display.

Dendrobium – Airy Apple Green

We took our time to stroll through the Conservatory to thoroughly appreciate the beauty of the show and to absorb the stunning ambience of floral, fashion, and the natural fragrance of the orchids. Do allow a minimum of 1.5 hours to fully experience the show, and longer when the weather is nice to stroll through the outdoor gardens, take a complimentary tram ride around the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden, visit their gift shop, or grab a bite to eat and make a day out of your visit.

Paphiopedilum Slipper Orchid

Until next time, keep enjoying travel with Luxury Experience!

The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion (February 17 – April 21, 2024) Admission: Adult: $35 Senior (65+): $31, Student (with valid ID): $31, Child (2-12) $15 Child Under 2: Free, Patron/Member: Free

Pansy Orchid – Miltoniopsis – Breathless “Good Woman”

Orchid Nights: (March 30 & April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20, 2024) 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Admission: Adults: $39.

Note: “You must be 21+ to attend Orchid Nights. A limited number of visitors will be admitted to the Garden every 30 minutes. You must be in line at the Conservatory by 9 p.m. to view The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion. Entry is not guaranteed to visitors who arrive at the Garden without tickets, or to visitors who arrive after their designated entry time. Visitors will receive a confirmation e-mail with the option to print or download a mobile ticket.”

Oncidopsis Goldfire Orchid

For more information on The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion tickets and pricing, as well as other upcoming programs, please visit the NYBG website at: www.nybg.org/visit/admission/

About the NYBG

The New York Botanical Garden is a 250-acre oasis located in Bronx, New York. Founded in 1891, the garden attracts year-round visitors with its exquisite beauty, spectacular exhibitions, and interesting programs. It is a National Historic Landmark located in Bronx, New York where its nearby neighbors include Fordham University and the Bronx Zoo. Do allow a minimum of 3 hours to thoroughly experience the New York Botanical Garden and its many programs.

Other special exhibitions and events, such as Members-Only Previews, may cause early closing of Garden areas. Exceptions are also made for evening events, which may take place after normal Garden hours. For specific hours on the day of your visit, please see their calendar on the website: www.nybg.org/plan_your_visit/

The Garden, its buildings, and its tour vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities, except for a few areas where the terrain is naturally uneven. Wheelchairs are available free of charge at both Garden entrances, on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are not accepted). An ID must be left with Visitor Services. Visit the website for additional information: www.nybg.org/visit/accessibility.php    

Please visit the website for additional information on the NYBG, The Orchid Show, upcoming programs and events, and admission: www.nybg.com

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