Introducing the FLOWERBMB – the most explosive, powerful, inspirational, and enduring women and men share the importance that flowers play in their lives.
Our first FLOWERBMB is the iconic, London-based floral muse and extraordinary beauty, Erin O’Connor MBE. This model, mother, journalist and actress has inspired fashion photographers and designers since the beginning of her successful career which has spanned across two decades. As the ultimate floral muse, we are pleased to present Erin as our first FLOWERBMB, and herein she graciously shares with us the role that flowers play in her life.
“I’m really not passionate about uniformity - I see enough of that at work!”
ERIN O’CONNOR
What are your favourite flowers and why? White or colour? And what colour?
My favourite flowers are flowers in abundance! - eremurus, dahlias... I’m addicted to strong bursts of colour but my favourite has to be magenta pink snap dragons for their sensual, rich, almost provocative appearance!
Do these flowers have significance in your life? Signify a moment from your past? A favourite of your mother’s? Or given to you by a partner?
I’ve always had a love affair with flowers. Throughout my professional nomadic career, they were and are the most loyal of companions - always available no matter where you land in the world. I am instantly reminded of home and like to feel grounded by nature amongst the chaos of unfamiliar and often unrelenting cities.
What are your favourite vase styles/shapes?
It’s a no brainier. Emilia’s gold vases (the Wickstead Vase) give my flowers order and chicness - personally I like to think of them as my girls with each one held in the most glamorous, stylish way.
“Flowers are emotional enhancers - they produce the full range and ALWAYS induce tears whether sad or happy ”
ERIN O’CONNOR
What are your tips for arranging flowers for a dinner party? Or for your house for any occasion?
I don’t have a particular style, but I do think that flowers are as important as the food you serve when inviting people into your home. Give me a room with a view any day - and it doesn’t have to be the furniture. Flowers are a luxury in themselves!
How does your flower choice reflect your personal style? And your interior style?
Well, in my professional guise I pretty much exist in monochrome, 2D form, so my flowers serve as a kind of coming out party. I like them camp, fun, floozy-esque even - I love that flowers are both proud and tender - I’m really not passionate about uniformity - I see enough of that at work!
What are the most beautiful or significant flowers that you’ve ever been given?
My three year old son often picks me flowers. They could be petals, they could be weeds - they are mostly unidentifiable and always wilted by the time he gets home. BUT, I can assure you that they are the most beautiful things I have ever, ever seen and I have freeze dried every single one of them!
“Flowers are as important as the food you serve when inviting people into your home”
ERIN O’CONNOR
What is your most powerful memory involving flowers and scent?
I do have a vivid memory as a little girl of naively surrendering to sisterly coercion and getting in to BIG trouble for stealing flowers from next door’s garden. The old lady ran after me with a broom (seriously), but I swiped the goods and ran home to bottle it up into a jam jar for the purpose of selling. I remember hiding on top of my parents wardrobe with new perfume in hand as it smelt too damn good to give away. She caught up with me but it was worth it and the subsequent punishment that followed.
How does having flowers in your home change the atmosphere? How does being surrounded by flowers make you feel?
Flowers are emotional enhancers - they produce the full range and ALWAYS induce tears whether sad or happy - basically they’re good company to fall asleep with and glorious to wake up to!
What flowers do you most like to give and why?
I like to give flowers to everyone - men, women, kids, mantle pieces, dogs (I styled my sister’s dog at her wedding recently!) Why not good old gladiolus - a symbol of friendship and love? My mum carried vibrant yellow gladiolus on her wedding day - they look so beautiful against the back drop of mid seventies, grainy film that I have blown the images up and framed them all over the house!
