Shoping Resources

Florists in Manchester and right across Lancashire can take inspiration from Interflora’s Janet Hodgson after she hit the headlines in the north west of England by making a dress out of flowers with the help of a little “Blue Peter” creativity.

Hodgson’s innovative idea came to fruition when she was approached by The Rock shopping mall in Bury to help them celebrate its first birthday this year. A floral theme was introduced and Hodgson produced an attention-grabbing addition to the festivities.

Fortunately, Hodgson didn’t have to look too far to get her creative juices flowing as The Rock’s logo features a woman complete with a stunning flowery dress. That emblem came to life in spectacular fashion when a beautiful model paraded around in the final product, which contained a lot of pinks and purples.

Using a mix of hanging amaranthus, germini, hydrangeas, roses and orchids, Hodgson overcame some initial teething problems to further bolster her reputation as one of the best in the business.

“The challenge was making it last as the original brief wanted us to use plants,” she said on the Interflora blog, which has plenty of words of wisdom for florists in Stockport, Stoke or Stranraer and for flower enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

Hodgson went back to the drawing board and the decision to use flowers instead in plants had the desired effect as in no time at all her vibrant creation went from the planning stages to a fully-blown work of art.

When it came to sorting out a frame to make the basis for the dress, help came in the form of assistance from a theatre company, who no doubt know a thing or two about creating flamboyant frocks for all manner of stage productions.

Unfortunately, the original frame struggled under the weight of the plants, but Hodgson had a few tricks up her sleeve and produced some DIY skills that the even the likes of Janet Ellis, Valerie Singleton and other famous Blue Peter presenters would be proud of.

“We had to reinforce it with tent poles and chicken wire – it was like we were on Blue Peter!” beamed Hodgson.

A model donned the dress before it was put on a mannequin and displayed in The Rock.

Added Hodgson: “I have to admit that when I first saw it on the model it looked so fabulous that I cried! It was a very proud moment for me. It was such fun!”

Of all the dresses’ flowers Stockport visitors to the shopping centre seemed particularly impressed with the orchids and Hodgson even joked: “I’m even thinking of taking commissions now.”