Fall 2012 Eroticism Embraces Flowers at Nina Ricci

Flowers, fauna and Mother Nature accompanied by model Kati Nescher star in Nina Ricci’s Fall/Winter 2012/13 campaign, lensed by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. Front and center are the new La Rue handbags made of alligator skin — a product objectionable to some AOC readers.

Nescher faces off against the contrasting botanical watercolor painting illustrated by artist Jo Ratcliffe.

Exotic Nature @ Florabotanica

The eroticism of nature makes any play for attention in Balenciaga’s new fragrance Florabotanica, due out in September.  Aimed at a younger audience than Balenciaga Paris, the scent was created by perfumers Oliver Polge and Jean-Christophe Hérault, who worked in collaboration with Balenciaga’s designer Nicolas Ghesquière.

Kristen Stewart is the face of Florabotanica, because she embodies the modernity of the scent with her unique sensibility and intelligence. The campaign is photographed by Steven Meisel.

Cleve West’s Brewin Dolphin Garden @ Chelsea Flower Show

Image by Martin PopeInnocence is deceiving writes The Financial Times about this year’s winner of top garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.