2008 Olympics Awards Bouquets

[CHR]

I finally got a good look at the awards bouquets tonight. Nice job on the part of the Chinese florists.

Here's a bit of the story of the designs:

http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/official/preparation/n214479691.shtml

http://www.bjreview.com.cn/quotes/txt/2008-08/11/content_140329.htm

Here's a story about the flower distribution center:

http://www.2008bimc.cn/home2/picture/n214525425.shtml

I've got a long story to tell about the Los Angeles Olympics bouquets and hope to get it done during my vacation, which starts on Thursday.

The logistics of making and delivering the bouquets at dark-thirty hours to venues spread hundres of miles apart a challenge in itself.

So what do you think about the Beijing bouquets? Are they telegenic? Do you have a favorite from a past Olympics?

 

[Beth]

Oh Cathy, GMTA! I was just about to post similar links!

 

[greenfairy68]

I like them! I think they are quite nice.

deb

 

[rewolf]

I like the bouquet and its shape -- tower-like but full. This is evident in the lead PR photo.
But, the bouquets seen in the other photos each have a different look, some have lost the "fullness", some are too spikely and some loaded with hypericum and I'm not so fond of them.
Easy for me to be critical and I apologize. I'm sure it is a logistical nightmare to process, create and distribute these bouquets.

 

[Flame]

WOW WHAT A LOT OF WORK!!!!! I am all for work and I am the first to get in there and do the do but MAN they have gone to extreme lengths to make sure the roses are growing right and the foliage is all good and you know what.....good on em!!!! At least they are doing it all the right way and they have taken every effort to make sure its perfect...even right down to what all the flowers/foliage symbolise!!!

6,000 bouquets....hmmm I don't think I have made that many in the years I have been a florist hahahaha

I like their design...its simple, effective and obviously is all the right ingredients to create that ' symbolic bouquet '.

 

[Connie]

Great articles Cathy!

The bouquets are lovely, and the symbolizim of the numbers and colors are fascinating. The Chinese surely give attention to detail.

Did I read correctly in one of the article that there are flowers (blooming plants) all over the Olympic areas?

Now if NBC would pay attention to these things, it would be very good news for florists and nurseries.

 

[RWK]

Would that not be a dream to work with?


I remember the Atlanta games and the floral center there. ALthough I was not able to, several friends of mine were able to work there at the floral center as volunteers to help out including Ty Leslie and several other AIFD members.

 

[cherrie]

It's not the chinese florists that are doing these beautiful bouquets.
Its Tomas de Byrne. A member of the Life3 group. They did a presentation at symposium last year and then the class after. He was the best of the three. My girlfriend helped him for his presentation.
I had seen from a quick SAF blurb that he was doing the flowers.
I asked my girlfriend to email him and ask he if needed volunteers.
Never hurts to ask..........

 

[cherrie]

It's not the Chinese florists that are doing these beautiful bouquets.
Its Tomas de Byrne. A member of the Life3 group. They did a presentation at symposium last year and then the class after. He was the best of the three. My girlfriend helped him for his presentation.
I had seen from a quick SAF blurb that he was doing the flowers.
I asked my girlfriend to email him and ask he if needed volunteers.
Never hurts to ask..........

I thought that the presentation bouquets for the Tour de France last year were incredible. All monochromatic and color coordinated like their jerseys.

An ambition of mine - to help with the Olymipics or Tour de France.
Never know who you might run into at an AIFD symposium.....

 

[SpringCity]

That bouquet is so pretty. Love it.

 

[CHR]

It's not the Chinese florists that are doing these beautiful bouquets.
Its Tomas de Byrne.

I've seen a few different articles about florists participating in the Olympics (party decor, etc...) but I believe the bouqet design orginated in China.

Few countries (if any) would allow a non-resident to take the limelight and/or credit for such a prestigious event.

 

[ivygreen]

I like them, and the ones I have seen look like they are holding up well. Even after they throw them around!
I think it's awesome the scope and planning that it takes.

 

[Kristine]

thanks for the pics. My hubby always laughs at me when we watch any event where there are presentation flowers or large floral displays such as the Oscars or some state funeral. I am always trying to check out the flowers.

I really liked the 2004 Greece Olympic flowers. I am a sucker for foliages.

 

[cherrie]

I could be mistaken, Cathy. I'm checking with SAF.
I do remember reading and Margaret emailed him to ask if he needed volunteers.
He emailed back that he was covered, but, would keep us in mind.
This was last summer. I was excited for a while.
I'll let you know if they dig up anything at SAF.

 

[mcf]

Great find Cathy! Off to put it up for AFH. I have been watching the bouquets since I saw Michael Phelps toss his first one up to his Mom in the stands. Whatta guy! Last night he handed it off to one of his sister. I wonder if he'd be willing to wait ten or fifteen years to marry my twelve year old? Too bad there's no younger brother...

 

[Patty]

"The floral arrangement master said that the flowers used for the bouquets are picked only four hours before the awarding ceremony to ensure that the flowers will look as fresh as possible at the ceremony."

Holy cow! Maybe if you have 3,000 designers and they each make 2? same for delivery personnel!

I think they are very pretty.
Patty

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

Is that "Obedient Plant" / Physostegia - the blueish lavender spikes?
Ironic, no?

 

[Kristine]

Is that "Obedient Plant" / Physostegia - the blueish lavender spikes?
Ironic, no?

yes it is and I grow it and it is very INVASIVE>

 

[vghstaffer]

Wouldn't it be fun to have a designer exchange program?
Guys, we should develop a pilot show for HGTV.....they have done everything from hair stylist to clothing designers, someone forgot the floral designers!
Forget Bridezilla, bring on the flower people!

 

[BJBouquets]

Chinese Floral Displays

Great articles Cathy!

Did I read correctly in one of the article that there are flowers (blooming plants) all over the Olympic areas?

Connie,
We were in Beijing April/May of this year. On May 1, they have a big national holiday. It was also the 100-day mark before the opening ceremonies. Here are pictures I took of floral displays outside the gates of the Summer Palace. The orb one is innovative but a bit odd. If this display was just for an annual holiday, you can imagine what they are doing for the Olympics.

The other pic is just to prove Guenther and I were really there!!