Right now at Harvey Nichols in London, you can step into a world of sensory delight and intrigue thanks to a unique collaboration between the iconic store and some of the UK’s hottest fashion designers. A special installation entitled ‘The Secret Garden’ has rooted itself on the Fifth Floor Terrace of the flagship Knightsbridge store, showcasing an eclectic mix of design talent to celebrate the forthcoming Royal Horticulture Society’s Chelsea Flower Show.
From Peter Pilotto’s wooden and Perspex sculpture drawing inspiration from exotic Indonesian flora and fauna – prints he also used in his SS12 collection (think shadows and silhouettes cast by leaves when looking through the jungle bush); to James Long’s glam rock meets kitsch bohemia ‘Bamboo Palace’ snug, complete with golden pineapples and seating, based on English eccentric Edward James’ surrealist garden, Las Pozas.
Roksanda Ilincic, known for her colour and tonal shades, applies her modern cool aesthetic to a living flowered wall; while Lulu & Co founder Lulu Kennedy redesigns the Fifth Floor terrace tabletops with a Maarten van der Horst for Lulu & Co. tropical Bird of Paradise vinyl motif – including glass vases holding vibrant exotic plants.
But my personal favourite has to be the Marios Schwab ‘hortus conclusus confessional’, a structure which acts as a modern day confessions box to share the most sensual secrets, created in collaboration with provocative artist Tom Gallant – it’s also a clever twist on the common garden shed, ‘The private made public, the garden shed made sacrilegious’.
This fusion of flowery fashionable fun comes complete with a bespoke cocktail menu created in homage to the designers’ work, all made with Beefeater Gin; and also a specially created seasonal salad menu by Fifth Floor Chef Jonas Karlsson, influenced by all things herbaceous.
The Secret Garden designer terrace is open now until June 1st. For more information and details about the cocktails on offer, visit the website.
