The Powerful Symbolism of Flowers in Fashion & Home Decor

Flowers are one of our very favorite things at Love Happens! With brilliant colors, unique forms, and captivating aromas, the power of flowers is real. In real life, whether growing in a vibrant garden, stylishly arranged in a vase, or creatively rendered inspiring fine art, fashion, and home decor, flowers have played a role in beautifying our world for as long as we know.

Read on as we delve into fashion and home decor’s love affair with flowers—a love affair that is as much about the beauty of flowers as it is about their femininity and empowering nature as they transcend the two creative realms.

Flowers In Fashion

Flowers have been a major influence in the world of fashion for almost all recorded history. From 3D floral-inspired motifs to floral prints and natural dyes, flowers abound in couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, jewelry and so on. To kick off the floral inspiration, here are a few of our favorite looks from Paris Haute Couture shows. Do you have a favorite floral fashion look?

Elie Saab is a legend when it comes to showcasing floral savoir faire. Thousands of hours go into creating the flowers of haute couture fashion, a meticulous art celebrated by Saab along with another one of our most beloved luxury fashion designers, Schiaparelli.

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 06: A model,dress detail, walks the runway during the Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016-2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 6, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) — *Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016-2017 | Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images*

A model presents a creation for Schiaparelli during the Haute Couture Fall - Winter 2023 show at the Fashion Week in Paris on July 4, 2022. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images) — *Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2022-2023 | Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images*

Most recently, Tamara Ralph’s flowers shined during Paris Haute Couture Week for SS24. Oh, how we love the metal floral creations!

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 22: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) A model walks the runway during the Tamara Ralph Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images) — *Tamara Ralph Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2024, in Paris, France | Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images*

Next up is the Arab fashion designer Rami Al Ali, a master of couture who shares our love for flowers, as seen in the stunning laser-cut silk flowers adorning the dress below.

When it comes to jewelry, flowers can be found inspiring the creations of many designers. One of our favorite nature-inspired jewelry designers is Carolina Curoado who beautifully turns flowers to gold.

caolina curado bougainvillea cuff floral gold earring luxury flower jewelry — *Bougainvillea Cuff Earring by Carolina Curado*

Oh, and let’s not forget our favorite floral-inspired perfumes! Another celebration of the power of flowers in fashion.

prada milano 10 Distinctive Luxury Perfumes We Love — *10 Distinctive Luxury Perfumes We Love*

Flowers In Home Decor

Offering unparalleled aesthetic appeal, a solid dose of symbolism as needed, seasonal trend options galore, a variety of oh-so-many looks, and the ability to bring the outdoors in, flowers are a beloved motif in furniture, lighting, fine art, and home decor accessories of all styles.

The Joy & Pleasure Effect of Flowers

One of our favorite flower powers is their ability to bring joy and pleasure with their colorful and beautiful blooms. It is a proven fact that flowers elevate your mood. A bouquet of spring lilies says happy spring without words and brings easy smiles to all who see them. Harvard’s “Home Ecology of Flowers Study” even found that decorating with a fresh bouquet for even a short time led participants to feel more compassion, experience less worry and anxiety, and feel an increase in happiness.

Floral Symbolism

In addition to bringing joy and pleasure, flowers also have numerous other symbolic meanings that can evoke emotions of all kinds in both fashion and home decor. Perhaps one of the most well-known floral symbols is the red rose, instantly calling for love and romance. Imagine the feeling of a room filled with roses?

Another well-known flower with strong symbolism is the lily. Known for purity and renewal, adding Cala lily-inspired pendant lights or sconce will instantly bring freshness to a home.

flowers in home decor koket parisian eclectic style interior design kitchen with gold flower pendant lights — *Interior Decor by KOKET*

Looking for a potted flower option? Or a work of orchid art? We absolutely love the power of orchids with their modern, sophisticated, and exotic vibes.

flowers in home decor orchidea sculpture by koket luxury flower inspired lighting and art — *Orchidea Sculpture by KOKET*

Flowers inspire so many things we love! We hope you can bring the joy and beauty of flower-inspired fashion and home decor into your world, we know you will love it.

From fashion to home decor and beyond, love yourself with flowers today and every day!

Words by Anna Beck
Feature Image Tamara Ralph Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2024, in Paris, France | Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images