Runway Inspiration: A Pastoral Meadow at the Hermès Show in Paris

Far-flung fashion shows have become a notorious target for environmentalists, as they suck up almost incalculable resources for an eight-minute extravaganza of clothes and bags. But lately, houses have taken a more sustainable approach, opting for soothing and uplifting landscapes as backdrops that can have a second life post-show. Last year, British planting supremo Nigel Dunnett along with Alexandra Noble created an epic jungle for Zimmerman’s show at the Petit Palais in Paris, with many of the plants later relocated to the public gardens.

And earlier this week Hermès followed suit with an extraordinary meadow for, as the luxury brand called it,  “an impromptu picnic, unhurried chatter, birdsong,” at the spectacular Garde Republicaine in Paris. Masterminded by landscape designer Luciano Giubbilei and inspired by a Tuscan meadow, the design was planted over three days by Jonny Bruce and a team of gardeners, the billowing grasses created a pastoral runway and provided yet more evidence—if any were needed—of the beguiling, textural beauty of grasses.

Photography courtesy of Hermès.

See also:

• Lessons Learned: Ornamental Grasses at Five Acre Barn
• Dried Flowers: 7 Ideas for Grasses, Seedpods, and Branches
• Pink Grasses: 10 Ideas for Muhlenbergia in a Landscape