Last month, stopping to smell the roses at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens meant something a little different. For nine days in August, the historic estate traded its usual botanical calm for high society drama, as its grounds were overtaken by life-sized floral figures dressed in the ambition and opulence of the HBO® Original Series "The Gilded Age." Fleurs de Villes THE GILDED AGE, a partnership between the global floral-art phenomenon Fleurs de Villes and HBO, reimagined the show's most iconic characters not in silk and lace, but in petals and stems.
“We are delighted to welcome Fleurs de Villes back to Cheekwood for this extraordinary debut,” said Sarah Sperling, Senior Vice President of Museum Affairs at Cheekwood. “Set against the backdrop of our historic estate, this immersive exhibition transforms iconic characters from “The Gilded Age” into breathtaking floral works of art, offering guests a truly unforgettable experience.”
The premise was simple to describe but far more intricate to pull off: take the show's most memorable characters and translate their personalities into full-scale floral mannequins. Local florists rose to the challenge, each given a character to interpret through color, texture, and form. From the bold, aspirational gowns of Bertha Russell to the refined sophistication of Agnes van Rhijn, the understated elegance of Marian Brook, and the modern perspective of Peggy Scott, the cast of floral figures was displayed throughout the grounds.
Thirteen Nashville floral studios contributed to the showcase, including Flower Girls Floral Design, Studio Izrada, Rose Hill Flowers, Village Revival, Laural & Leaf, LL Floral, By Gossamer, The Flower House, Abbj Design, Larson Floral Co., T. Villager, Florence Florals, and LMA Designs. Visitors who walked the halls explored the estate got to do more than admire the work as they were able to vote for their favorite mannequin and enter a drawing for a Gilded Age-inspired floral arrangement and a full year of Cheekwood membership.
“We’re thrilled to return to Cheekwood for a second year to debut our new show series in such a remarkable setting,” said Karen Marshall, Co-Founder of Fleurs de Villes. “With its historic estate and beautiful gardens, Cheekwood provides the perfect backdrop for our fresh floral celebration of HBO’s “The Gilded Age.” The series’ rich visual world and unforgettable characters translate beautifully into floral design, offering endless inspiration for Nashville’s talented florists, and bringing the story to life through stunning floral artistry this August.”
Once the exhibition opened, Cheekwood built out a full slate of programming around it. On August 1, Flower Magazine founder and editor-in-chief Margot Shaw stopped by Massey Auditorium for a talk and signing tied to her book "Flowering Outdoors: Gardens & Parties." Days later, on August 6, art and culture historian Dr. Elizabeth Block – a senior editor at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art – spoke about her own recent release, "Gilded Age Fashion: More than 50 Iconic Looks and Stories Behind Them," giving visitors a scholarly counterpoint to
the floral spectacle just outside the auditorium doors.
The Frist Learning Center Courtyard also hosted "Cocktails in the Courtyard" on three evenings – August 1, 7, and 8 – where guests sipped themed drinks and sampled bites from local vendors beneath the floral displays. And on four separate afternoons throughout the run, the designers behind the mannequins themselves took the stage in the Courtyard Classroom, walking visitors through the inspiration and craft behind each piece before opening the floor to questions.
By the time the exhibition closed on August 9, Fleurs de Villes THE GILDED AGE had given Nashville a rare crossover moment, mixing television with fine art, proving once again why Cheekwood continues to serve as one of the city's most innovative stages for large-scale storytelling.
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“Set against the backdrop of our historic estate, this immersive exhibition transforms iconic characters from “The Gilded Age” into breathtaking floral works of art, offering guests a truly unforgettable experience,” said Sarah Sperling.