Fleurs de Villes
Wandering a fragrant landscape of stylized blooms each spring at Edina’s Galleria is nothing new for local shoppers—an annual tradition that has come to be synonymous with the arrival of Spring in the Twin Cities. But this year’s iteration of the floral experience—previously staged in partnership with Bachman’s—takes on a distinctly novel expression, venturing into a realm of high-fashion, couture-driven design. Introducing FLORA, an immersive celebration of spring couture and seasonal blooms presented by internationally renowned, Vancouver-based floral design company Fleurs de Villes. A sought-after spectacle staged in more than 25 cities worldwide, Fleurs de Ville’s immersive floral design exhibits partner with local artists, florists, and designers to create multi-medium experience that is not just a celebration of fashion and floristry, but a love letter to the city’s unique creative identity.
“Minnesota has such a strong culture of creativity and craftsmanship, and the Twin Cities in particular have a vibrant community of florists, designers, and fashion lovers,” says Karen Marshall, co-founder of Fleur de Villes. “We’re always looking for places where local talent will really shine—and the floral community here is exceptional.”
From April 10 to 19, shoppers will see the Galleria transformed into a landscape of wearable art, as 15 one-of-kind fresh floral mannequins line the hallways, projecting the inspired visions of Twin Cities-based florists and designers. Personifying the long-awaited return of vibrance after a frigid Minnesota winter, the artworks will feature fresh seasonal blooms in an array of contrasting varieties, colors, and textures—with no two displays exactly alike.
Fleurs de Villes
“What stands out immediately with this group of florists is their sense of craftsmanship. They are incredibly skilled, but they also bring a lot of personality and storytelling into their work,” says Marshall. “We’ve seen florists embracing bold ideas and beautiful detail, which makes this exhibition especially exciting.”
Among the lineup of talented local florsists, shoppers are likely to recognize several names—including Sip N Bloom, a driving force behind Minnesota’s well-established floral design scene. In addition to styling a mannequin of its own, Sip N Bloom will maintain a workshop pop-up in Galleria’s former David Yurman space, inviting guests to step into the world of floral artistry. Led by professional florists, shoppers can craft DIY spring centerpieces, and even, floral mannequins of their own, to take home as a living memento of FLORA’s aesthetic masterclass—a vivid token of the season’s official arrival.
“Because they’re temporary, flowers are a perfect opportunity to experiment and get creative. We invite you to be playful, try new combinations, and just explore,” says David Kisan, a third-generation florist and founder of Sip N Bloom. “As designer Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht recently said, ‘Flowers exist to anchor people in the present, not to be permanent.’”
Fleurs de Villes
In addition to Kisan’s workshop, many of Galleria’s stores and restaurants are joining the festivities, with imaginative floral-inspired offerings that range from in-store displays and craft experiences to seasonal menu offerings and floral cocktails. Next Door, The Westin Galleria will welcome guests with its own immersive program, featuring signature floral mannequins staged throughout the lobby and a lineup of events and special activations including Bridgerton Afternoon Tea, Botanical Cocktails, Garden House Brunch, and more.
“Galleria Edina felt like the perfect partner because it already has this beautiful intersection of fashion, lifestyle, and community gathering,” says Marshall. “FLORA celebrates the artistry of flowers through a couture lens, so bringing the exhibition into a space that already celebrates design felt very natural.”
The 10-day exhibition is free and open to the public, intended to be a natural extension of Galleria’s shopping experience. Stop by during the malls’ regular hours from April 10 to 19 to immerse yourself in this ephemeral spring awakening. galleriaedina.com, 69th St. & France Ave., Edina
