CHELSEA IN BLOOM 2018 – THEME SUMMER OF LOVE
‘Chelsea’s prestigious annual floral art show’
The Kings Road is swinging again, the first time since the 1960s. It's celebrating being part of Chelsea in Bloom, the groovetastic annual competition that is now in it's 13th year. The theme is the Summer of Love, celebrating both the 60s and 70s and The Royal Wedding. Come and visit between the 21st and 26th May.
This year florists have really pulled out the stops, amongst the psychedelia and camper vans there are symbols of love, marking the Royal nuptials. In the middle of Sloane Square there are the bare letters LOVE, which are designed for people to pin messages of love for the Royal Couple to.
In Duke of York Square, Maison de Fleurs www.maisondefleurs.co.uk/ have made a gorgeous multicolour flowered heart with a letterbox in the centre for you to post your wishes to the new Duke & Duchess of Sussex.
Yes, whilst Harry and Meghan were nursing their hangovers on Sunday, the florists of London were working from dawn 'til dusk and beyond to get their displays up and ready for the judges. All around Chelsea vans, ladders and buckets upon buckets of flowers could be seen spilling colourfully onto pavements. The tourists were quick to take selfies under any floral arch they could find (and there are many photo opportunities!).
The first display went up last week at Rag & Bone www.rag-bone.com; this is a standout display and wonderful location. Inside the store are the florist's responsible, Harper & Tom's. www.harperandtoms.co.uk
They were running workshops for people to make headdresses; there was also free Prosecco! Get yourself down there to have a go and meet the lovely team.
Rag & Bone
Rag & Bone inside store with the floral headdress workshop.
The next display with wow factor and selfie potential is the gorgeous ring at the top of Pavilion Road. This has been made by award winning florists ‘All For Love’ www.allforlovelondon.com/ a really fantastic piece of work and I wonder if anyone will be prompted by it to take a trip to Tiffany’s www.tiffany.co.uk/ around the corner!
Along Sloane Street, outside La Perla www.laperla.com/uk/ are two cream and lilac swans, The Regal Swans. The swan of course an emblem of both love and royalty. These are quite stunning.
In the centre of Sloane Square All For Love florists have been very busy installing a beautiful garden, in its centre a heart with ribbons trailing down like a fabulous curtain.
As well as the flowers, there are some other events happening to celebrate Chelsea in Bloom.
Escada on Sloane Street will also be floral crowns between 12-7pm on Saturday 26th May. www.escada.com/uk
La Perla, on Sloane Street will be making crowns on Wednesday 23rd May between 2-6pm with florist All for Love, email nunzia.bifulco@laperla.com if you would like to attend.
Jo Malone will be holding a Blossom Posy Master class on Wednesday 23rd between 4-8pm. www.jomalone.co.uk
At Boden www.boden.co.uk on Kings Road, there will be a flower-arranging workshop on Wednesday held by Willow Crossley http://www.willowcrossley.com/home-1
Tickets are £30 and available to buy on the Chelsea in Bloom website.
Between the 22-26th May Bluebird cafe on the Kings Road will be doing a Royal Afternoon Tea for £28.50. www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk/at/cafe-chelsea
To check out the numerous other events and celebrations, please the Chelsea in Bloom website www.chelseainbloom.co.uk/whats-on.
The competitors number 65, and with the sun shining it's quite a sight to behold. You can vote for The People’s Choice Award by visiting The Chelsea in Bloom website to register your vote www.chelseainbloom.co.uk/participants-voting
Here is just a small selection of some of the participants.
Boutique 1
Harry's Dolce Vita - by Early Hours Ltd
Sarah Chapman - by Petal to the Metal
Kiki McDonaugh - by Philip Corps
Hackett
Brora - By Jam & Jar florists
Kiehls - By Wild About florists
Monica Vinader – by Neeva Jay
Lucas Hugh
Rigby & Peller
Poetry - by Rob Van Helden
Dubarry - By Rose Hamson florists
These are just a handful of the entries, do try and get to Chelsea to soak up the vibes man, make a headdress, post a letter, take a selfie, drink a specially designed cocktail, enjoy the beautiful blooms and feel the love baby!
There are two types of tour leaving from Sloane Square, a walking tour and a rickshaw tour. These will take you down the Kings Road, Sloane Street, around Sloane Square and up to Knightsbridge. Download the map here http://www.chelseainbloom.co.uk/whats-on to see where all the displays are; you don’t want to miss any!
Never has The Royal Borough of Chelsea looked so groovy!
Good luck to all who have taken part.
Chelsea in bloom is hosted by Cadogan Estate, which expands 93 acres of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Year on year the number of retailers competing has increased. You can also view the florals for ‘Belgravia in Bloom’, which this year in inspired by Frida Kahlo.
