When one thinks of spring, a few things come to mind: the warmth of sunny days, the cheerful songs of birds and the feeling of fresh beginnings. But above all, spring means flowers — lots and lots of flowers.
Florals are a fashion staple, and although flower patterns and designs are woven into every season, it’s undeniable that spring fashion is defined by these blossoms. As each new week brings longer and sunnier days, bold and vibrant colors integrate themselves into every passing moment of springtime style. This year, we explored how botanical prints take on new life, embrace rich hues, strike patterns and provide unimaginable natural beauty to clothing.
Navigating the whimsical and vivid, we aimed to evoke a sense of wonder and renewal in our collection. The interplay of delicate shimmers and deep hues reflects the duality of spring florals, simultaneously achieving lightness and depth.
The relationship between flowers and fashion dates back thousands of years, with cultures worldwide incorporating floral motifs into their clothing, textiles and accessories.
According to Blooming Haus, citizens in Ancient Egypt (c. 2500 BCE) adorned themselves with sacred flowers, specifically the lotus, which symbolized rebirth and the sun. For ceremonial attire, both men and women wore real flowers, though floral patterns also appeared on jewelry and fabrics.
In Ancient China (c. 1600 BCE-220 CE), we see many similarities. Compass said that floral patterns were used in early Chinese silk garments, particularly during the Shang Dynasty. In the Han Dynasty, peonies, lotuses and chrysanthemums were commonly featured in embroidery and woven textiles, signifying wealth and status.
During the Medieval & Early Islamic times (seventh to 13th centuries CE), floral motifs became widespread across Persian, Ottoman and Central Asian textiles, appearing in tapestries, rugs and garments. As stated by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), the Islamic world’s appreciation for nature influenced the development of floral patterns, which later spread to Europe through trade routes.
When we look at the spread of floral textiles from China, India and Persia to Europe, a certain phrase from history class might come back to you: The Silk Road (13th to 15th centuries CE). In India and Pakistan, richly embroidered floral patterns became prominent, influencing global textile trends.
The “Tulip Era” of the Ottoman Empire (1520-1730 CE) saw tulip motifs become a dominant design in clothing, ceramics and art. According to the Amsterdam Tulip Museum, this period significantly influenced European floral fashion, particularly in France and the Netherlands.
Only a few centuries later, floral embroidery and brocade fabrics gained popularity, adorning the clothing of nobility. The Met said that throughout the Renaissance (16th to 18th centuries CE), floral lace, first reserved for royalty, became more widely accessible. Designs featuring roses, carnations and lilies flourished, reflecting the influence of botanical studies during the Enlightenment.
Floral patterns in beadwork also played a significant role in Indigenous North American cultures (17th to 19th centuries CE). The Ojibwe, Sioux and Lakota peoples developed intricate floral beadwork traditions, incorporating native plant motifs into clothing, accessories and ceremonial garments.
Due to the Industrial Revolution (18th to 19th century CE), advances in textile production led to the mass manufacturing of floral patterns. Floral prints, as stated by The Guardian, once painstakingly hand-embroidered, became more accessible through mechanized weaving and printing techniques.
In Europe (19th–early 20th centuries CE), the Victorian era emphasized romantic floral designs, with small flower bouquets ("tussie-mussies") serving as fashionable accessories. The Edwardian period continued this floral obsession, with pastel floral embroidery and lace embellishments becoming hallmarks of femininity.
Jumping into the 1900s, the 1920s to 1950s was the era of modern floral fashion. According to an article from Blooming Haus, the Art Nouveau movement (1890-1920) embraced organic, flowing floral patterns, and they quickly became a staple in women’s fashion. From Hawaiian-inspired prints to Dior’s postwar “Flower Women” collection, floral fashion celebrated the “ultra feminine” floral style.
No one had to introduce florals to the 1960s. The hippie movement of the 60s, through the Flower Power trend, revived floral fashion as a symbol of peace and self expression. Inspired by nature and Eastern textile traditions, flowers appeared everywhere — on flowing dresses, embroidered denim and psychedelic prints.
The 1970s to the 1990s were full of bohemian and grunge florals. Whereas earlier bohemian styles embraced free-flowing floral dresses and prints — inspired by Indian fashion —, by the 1990s, floral patterns took on an edgier twist through grunge fashion, showcasing dark floral prints in slip dresses and oversized shirts.
Throughout the 21st century, florals have continued to evolve with seasonal trends, from bold maximalist prints to subtle, vintage-inspired florals. Designers draw inspiration from centuries of floral fashion history, proving that this is not just a passing trend, but a permanent fixture in the world of fashion.
With this shoot, we set out to encapsulate the spirit of spring: its vibrancy, romance and renewal through floral fashion. After all, florals for spring may not be groundbreaking, but they are undeniably timeless.
