Paris, the city of flowers. Not only are they a symbol of art and beauty, but the city itself is actually filled with flowers. Unique florists line the streets, flowers adorn the windows of apartments, and it's common to see people giving bouquets to loved ones. Many who visit Paris have the experience of being inspired and becoming more sensitive to art and beautiful things than usual.

In this second part of our travel report on France's luxury fashion houses, we'd like to share with you a bouquet-making lesson that sharpened our sensibilities in Paris, the city of flowers.




The venue for the bouquet lesson was the Odeon Theatre, located in the 6th arrondissement on the left bank of the Seine. The salon of this historic theatre, which opened in 1782, was decorated with a large cherry blossom tree reaching up to the ceiling to welcome guests from Japan. The lesson began in the majestic space of the Odeon Theatre, surrounded by numerous paintings.

The instructor for the bouquet lesson was Vincent Lesart of Rosebud, whose shop is located right in front of the Odeon Theatre. This time, we will be trying out a Parisian-style bouquet called a champetre bouquet. "Champêtre" means country-style. This style of flower arrangement, incorporating plants and creating a natural expression as if the wind is blowing through them, is gaining attention worldwide.

First, we began with a demonstration by Vinson, a leading expert on champetre bouquets. Known for his natural yet elegant and sophisticated charm, he is a top florist with a client list that includes many fashion houses.



"It's important to have a dialogue with the flowers in front of you and arrange them in a way that reflects their voice," he said, humming as he layered the flowers one after the other. When his seemingly carefree movements came to a halt, he had completed a bouquet in his hands that made the most of the flowers' charm. "Now it's your turn. Listen to the voice of the flowers," Vinson said. Cherry blossoms, anemones, jasmine leaves, and other flowers were placed in front of us, and each participant picked up flowers and branches to arrange in their own way. While initially hesitant, the refreshing scent of flowers and greenery filled the room, and before we knew it, we were lost in the flow of time as we worked on the bouquet. Feeling the weight of the branches in our left hands and adding flowers by feel unconsciously seemed to reflect each participant's individuality. Elegant, pure, and unrestrained, the finished bouquets, though made with the same materials, gave completely different impressions when lined up. Recently, many male participants have taken the course, as they find that engaging with flowers helps reset their minds and sharpen their intuition and sensitivity. In a special space overlooking the Parisian skyline, participants escape their daily routines, sharpen their senses, and reflect on themselves. Such a luxurious way to spend time is truly unique to the city of art.



Next time, we will bring you a report on the "One-Night Only Japanese-French Collaboration Dinner Party."

--"The finest flavors of Japan and France on one plate! Enjoy a one-night-only collaborative dinner at Alain Ducasse [Paris Report--3/5]"

--"Experience the heart of the prestigious champagne company, Deutz [Paris Report--1/5]"