The decor used in Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2009 Haute Couture show was made entirely out of paper. The Chanel Website reports that 7000 paper flowers were handmade for the event totalling in 4800 hours work and 4000 m2 of paper.
Close up of the Paper Flowers ~ Photographs by Charlotte M. Frieze
This original decor got me thinking about using paper as a material for my own wedding decorations. My partner being a lithographic printer gives me access to lots of left over paper stock which would otherwise find its way into the recyling bin. Paper in abundance and being green too. It may be the perfect resource. It has opened up a whole new world to me and I am excited to jump right in!
2 Comments
Hello Samantha,
Being very inspired by the chanel fashion show, i want to make the paper flowers myself.
I looked all over the internet for a tutorial, but they all seem to be about origami.
Have you figured out a way to make them as modern and rich as chanel did??
i love to hear your toughts.
thanx,
Martine v Haastrecht, Holland
Hi Martine
I have been so busy, I haven’t got around to trying to make these yet. I do know that when I try, I will probably cut out each petal individually. I am sure each one will be slightly different to keep the flower looking more natural. I would then probably leave extra paper at the bottom of each petal so that I could twist them together and then cover this with the sepal and glue together and finally add a twisted wire covered in more paper.
I am sure there are lots of different ways to make these paper flowers and I think trial and error will be the key. I would personally buy a synthetic flower or pull a real flower apart to see how it is made and copy it literally like a stencil. Draw around the petal shapes and leaves, etc. Mother Nature is the best designer after all.
Alternatively, Martha Stewart has so many resources on her website for making paper flowers. She seems to have discontinued the paper flower making kits but from memory, they are as described as above, Separate petals and components, glued together. Some references to them are still available on the internet. Please try some of these links to some templates and instructions. Hopefully they will help. If you make anything, I would love to know how you get on. Good luck!
Crepe Paper Roses Tutorial
Paper Peonies Tutorial
Red Paper Roses Tutorial
Martha Stewart Paper Making Kit
(Oh, just another note. I think the reason why Chanels flowers look so modern is beacuse they have updated crepe paper with pure white paper. I think making any of the templates above in pure white paper as opposed to the craft stuff will instantly add a contemporary feel.)