A Floral Fusion: Kim Starr Wise at the Derbès Mansion

When the world of florals meets the bold, bright energy of this athletic brand (named for a Greek goddess…), the result is nothing short of magical. We recently had the privilege of collaborating with this iconic brand at the Derbès Mansion, a Greek-revival home built in 1858 on the Esplanade Ridge. This event was one for the books—filled with vibrant energy, elegant design, and a beautiful fusion of nature and style.

The challenge was to create florals that aligned with the brand’s vision: a bright, minimalistic aesthetic that would complement the brand's bold and innovative spirit. To bring New Orleans into the event, we foraged many of the plants directly from Kim’s own garden and from the lush grounds of the Derbès Mansion itself. There’s something magical about incorporating elements from the local landscape into an event, giving it a sense of place and authenticity.

Bringing Nature to the Table

Foraging is a practice rooted in sustainability and connection to the environment. As we walked the grounds of the Derbes Mansion, we carefully selected plants that would add texture, color, and a sense of grounding to the space. The leaves, stems, and blooms all had a story to tell, a way of making the florals feel like a living, breathing part of the venue.

The process started with gathering Forsythia branches, Elaeagnus, and Bottlebrush, along with other unexpected pops of color. There’s something powerful about working with what the environment provides.

A Bright & Minimal Brief

The brand’s direction for the florals was clean, vibrant, and stripped of excess. Their brief was minimal but full of potential, asking for a design that was bold but not overwhelming, something that accented the timeless beauty of the Derbès Mansion. The combination of bright oranges and vivid greens set the stage for a fresh and energizing design. We focused on clean lines and subtle, sculptural arrangements, where each bloom had its moment to shine without taking away from the overall arrangement.

The venue itself—Derbès Mansion—has such rich architectural detail that we wanted the florals to enhance, not compete with, the space. The florals were strategically placed to highlight key features of the mansion, its Greek-revival architecture and Victorian furnishings, creating a seamless integration of nature and design. Bold pops of color, like bright citrus tones, were used in the flowers to add lushness to the space, adding layers of interest and energy to the event.

A Perfect Pairing of Nature and Innovation

Our brand partner has always been synonymous with pushing boundaries, and this collaboration was no exception. The florals for the event reflected the brand’s ethos—innovative, fresh, and effortlessly cool, yet grounded in the beauty of nature.

The combination of foraged plants and carefully curated blooms resulted in a design that was minimal, bright, and timeless. It felt like a true representation of both the brand’s values and our own approach to florals—minimal yet striking, thoughtful yet spontaneous.

Reflections on the Experience

Looking back, this collaboration was a dream come true. The opportunity to work in such a breathtaking venue, alongside a brand that we admire, was a special moment for Kim Starr Wise Floral Events. It reminded us of the power of collaboration and how the intersection of design, nature, and creativity can bring something truly unique into the world.

The florals were more than just flowers—they were a celebration of the space, the brand, and the environment itself. We left this project feeling proud of what we had created and excited to see how such collaborations will continue to inspire fresh, innovative design in the future.

Thank you to our partners on this event for trusting us with this beautiful project, and to the Derbès Mansion for providing the perfect backdrop. This event is a reminder that when nature meets design, magic happens.

When you’re ready to have Kim Starr Wise Floral Events design your next big event, get in touch:

📞 Call us: (504) 315-5607

📧 Email: info@kimstarrwise.com

💐 Let's design something beautiful – New Orleans style!