The largest orchid festival in the world!

There are millions of orchid fans around the world, who take every opportunity to admire them and put them in the spotlight. Some people even go a step further. Once a year, thousands of enthusiastic orchid fans attend the largest orchid festival in the world.

Hobbyists and professionals throughout the world gather in Tokyo to enjoy the thousands of different orchid varieties during this unique festival. Naturally, new varieties are also presented – and there is even a cash prize for the most beautiful orchid.

However, it is really about the passion for orchids that visitors share, as you can see in the film below. As one of the persons interviewed said: ‘It is never too late to add some cheer to your life with orchids’. We would have to agree with that.

The Orchid is a natural eye-catcher, but Orchids are also able to draw the attention of the international media time and again. The fact that Orchids are very special is shown by the large volume of publicity, but also by the fact that famous names in the fashion & culture industries are gaining inspiration from this magnificent plant.

Watch the clips and items which have recently appeared in the media and allow yourself to be inspired!

Haven’t seen enough?

See more movies from Art of Life, click here. Or watch the pictures below.

Christian Dior sets the tone with orchids in couture show

Paris, 2 July 2012.
Orchid combined with other flowering plants to create the magnificent setting for Christian Dior’s haute couture show ‘The Garden of Eden’, at which the collections for Autumn and Winter 2012 were presented.
Those attending the show, at which fashion designer Raf Simons made his debut, included Donatella Versace and Marc Jacobs.

Video ‘The making of

It’s a spectacular sight, the orchid. Did you know that there are thousands of different species? We would like to introduce you to a new version of this diva every month.

With her intense, exciting shapes and breathtaking flowers the orchid loves attention. And she deserves it. Yet this lady is still very easy to get along with. Allow us to introduce you …

Monthly schedule:

A lady with class and an international background, that’s Cambria. With her whimsical flowers in bright colours she is the product of the cross-breeding of various species from all over the world. Those colourful genes explain her multicultural appearance: tiger prints, pouting lips, provocative spears and sometimes even three different flower shapes in one single flower. What also makes this lady an appealing housemate is that she often expands sideways. Yes, there are soberly styled specimens, but usually the stems with foliage spread left and right out of the pot.

Styling

Admittedly, Cambria can have such a massive kitsch factor that it is tempting to place the orchid in an eye-catching pot. But the orchid also combines very beautifully with sober, natural materials. That places even greater emphasis on the flowers.

Orchid of the month

Every month we present a new orchid of the month. Want to find out which orchid it will be next month? Take a look at the list.

Cattleya looks like she’s just performed a Las Vegas show in a miniskirt with frills and large petals as wings. Her exuberant appearance has earned her the title of queen of the orchids. She’s eye-catching, colourful and has the perfect wow factor with her exotic shape and appearance.

Styling

Cattleya’s colourful eye-catching flowers are best displayed in a sober pot: black glazed earthenware or Japanese lacquer, for example.

Orchid of the month

Every month we present a new orchid of the month. Want to find out which orchid it will be next month? Take a look at the list.

Like a calm yoga exercise the stem stretches aloft from a dark green base, then unfurls into a branch with enormous flowers. These are sometimes snow white, orange or purple through to lilac and russet. Sometimes this lady also wears exciting spots and stripes. Because the flowers bear some resemblance to a flying moth, Phalaenopsis is also known as the moth orchid. The flower symbolises pure friendship, and therefore makes an excellent gift.

Styling

The calm and structure of the plant requires a substantial or eye-catching pot as a contrast. A pair of Phalaenopsis together also give a good effect: The flower stems can be pointed in all directions, which gives harmony and balance. Decorative glass pots are a solution to prevent all the roots from growing towards the light.

Orchid of the month

Every month we present a new orchid of the month. Want to find out which orchid it will be next month? Take a look at the list.

A high-spirited fountain shape from which springs an impressive flower stem: Cymbidium is the power babe amongst orchids. Its pointy leaves bob under long sprays which often hold more than ten flowers per stem, in golden brown, green, pink, red, white and yellow, with the lip as a landing platform for insects. One remarkable feature is that she also flowers in the winter when almost all her fellow orchids are hibernating.

Styling

Because of its shape, Cymbidium is rather top-heavy. A sturdy pot is a necessity. A sober style suits her best: heavy ceramic, a hollow tree trunk or a tall modern dish reinforces the personality of this domestic diva.

Orchid of the month

Every month we present a new orchid of the month. Want to find out which orchid it will be next month? Take a look at the list.

This dame doesn’t do modest. And why should she? A rich, layered crown of flowers rises into the air from a distinctively shaped trunk. The flowers are a feast of lilac, white, pink, yellow or green, whilst the broad lip almost always features a large dark spot, as if Dendrobium likes wearing lipstick.

Styling

Because Dendrobium is a wild and extravagant little madam, a calm setting is a good idea. Opt for smooth porcelain or glass pots, a Japanese lacquer box or a wooden dish or pot.

Orchid of the month

Every month we present a new orchid of the month. Want to find out which orchid it will be next month? Take a look at the list.