Lounge
May 11, 2015
Maki Yoshida: Episode 52 – Stories of “Clothing”: The Shape of Flowers
Part 52: Tales of "Clothing" – The Shape of Flowers
From spring to early summer, flower shop displays burst into vibrant life. Even without a specific recipient in mind, one feels compelled to buy them. A single flower can transform a drab room, making the air feel clearer.
Flowers possess such a mysterious power.
Narration by Maki YoshidaCompiled by Fuyuki TogawaPhoto by Jamandfix
Slender Forms and Ephemeral Beauty
This might be a very personal confession, but I'm not particularly fond of potted flowers, and I have a particular aversion to orchids. Orchids are considered noble flowers, cherished by many enthusiasts worldwide. However, I find their strong self-assertion overwhelming; even when in a room, they fail to bring me a sense of peace. Their form is somewhat human-like, and I get the feeling that it's not me looking at the orchid, but the orchid staring intently at me, which inevitably brings to mind carnivorous plants.
My preference in flowers isn't for the ostentatious like orchids, nor for overly cute small blossoms. I lean towards those that feel "cool" – slender and with a distinct form. Specifically, I'm thinking of tulips and lilies.
Furthermore, the "ephemeral nature" of flowers is a great charm; their fleeting beauty strongly captivates people. If their beauty were to last indefinitely, flowers would quickly take on an artificial aura (though, of course, many are cultivated by humans for various purposes) and even feel oppressive. Orchids might be the prime example of this.
Perhaps a person's taste in flowers, for men, reflects an essential "preference" that also extends to a woman's sensibilities. This is, of course, my personal opinion (laughs).
Adorn Yourself with Beautifully Formed Flowers
A Navy Jacket with a Flower Pot
In terms of attire, I once created the "Flower Pot" shown in the photo, wondering if I could incorporate fresh flowers into my clothing. This involves inserting a pin into the lapel hole of a jacket and securing a short-stemmed fresh flower in the pot. Though small, it creates a focal point on the chest, enhancing the overall look.
A Linen Jacket with a Flower Lapel Pin (Gardenia)
Following this, I experimented with creating cufflinks from fresh flowers, but they proved difficult to make work as the shirt cuffs inevitably rub against the jacket cuffs. It was at this time that I met an artist who was exhibiting works with resin-coated fresh flowers. With his collaboration, we developed the "Flower Cufflinks" (top photo) featuring a red rose, and the "Flower Lapel Pin" with a white gardenia.
While the natural state of flowers is to eventually wither, this technique allows us to add the distinct form of fresh flowers to our attire at any time.
Imagine a single, small red rose peeking subtly from your cuff – I hope you'll enjoy such styling as a touch of "sophistication for the modern man."