Beauty in Bloom

Back by popular demand, the innovative floral fashion show Beauty In Bloom returned to Art in Bloom at the Milwaukee Art Museum.  With it's over-the-top gowns and accessories created entirely from flowers and foliage, this show is a runway attraction all it's own. Bank of Memories & Flowers was chosen to participate for a second time this year along with some of the best designers from Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan.  There were 21 designers in all who traveled with their fresh gowns for this Saturday night extravaganza.  This event sold out, with 400 guests in attendance!

It was amazing to see the Museum transformed into a secret garden.  Lights lit up the Calatrava and large curtains painted by hand of large trees flanked the models entrance.  Live music pumped up the crowd from DJ Jai and the emcee for the night was Elizabeth Kay of the morning show "Wes & Elizabeth: on 99.1 The Mix.

Our inspiration was the a warrior fairy.  The croton leaves took over our inspiration as the colors and layers transformed the dress.

Highlights with brass and copper completed her look right into her hair and makeup.  Flax leaves were woven to create her skirt.

We are so proud of our model Kristin Reidelberger, who not only was a beautiful and stunning but she brought life to the gowned.  She owned it!  When she stepped in the dress her confidence took over and became our warrior fairy.

When Kristin is not being fierce on the runway, she is a full time florist at our Menomonee Falls location at Bank of Memories & Flowers.

We are proud to say we took 3rd place from the night!

~Melissa Maas
Owner
Bank of Memories & Flowers

Art In Bloom

Every year, I have the opportunity to participate in the Milwaukee Art Museum's "Art in Bloom".  As an artist at heart, this is a dream come true.  This event brings out some of the best floral designers in the Southeastern part of Wisconsin.  There was 41 designers in all who participated this year.

Back in January, we had a day at the Museum called "Lottery Day."  The art pieces are hand picked by the Museum on what they would like to see interpreted into flowers.  When we arrive, we are handed numbers.  The Art Museum will pick your number at random to go along with the artwork.  It is always fun to see your challenge.  This year I was paired up with Homage to the Square, by Josef Albers.  What a challenge, with a yellow box!

Over the weeks I collaborated with my dad, Norman Ball III, who is a Iron Worker.  It was amazing to see my vision of taking the square painting and taking it outside the box.  I wanted people to see the cube from all sides and make it dimensional.  My dad welded the yellow box and engineered a way to nestle the cube in the tree.  The tree gives the illusion that it is holding up the cube like it landed there and is now growing.  

The flowers in the cube were yellow oncidium orchids and blue tinted button mums.  In the white box base holding up the branch was yellow roses, ruscus, succulents, tricillium, leucadendron and green moss.

This was a very special piece to me this year, not only was it a challenge but I had an amazing experience making memories with my dad.   He was able to share his amazing engineering talent with me and I was able to show him what I love to do.
Thank you dad, couldn't have done it without you!

-Melissa Maas
Owner
Bank of Memories & Flowers