A Floral Red Carpet Moment
- Diana Pierce
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
If you watched the Oscars this year, you may have noticed something unusual pinned to the lapel of Jeff Goldblum’s Prada suit. A delicate yet dramatic floral arrangement— unlike the traditional boutonniere —adorned his jacket, an eye-catching mix of orchids, amaranthus, and seed pods.
It was the work of Michael Woodcock, founder of Pretend Plants and Flowers, a floral designer known for pushing the boundaries of nature-inspired couture. I spoke with Michael about his red carpet creation, his artistic process, and what it takes to make flowers stand out at one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.
Michael Woodcock, Owner, Pretend Plants and Flowers:
"Jeff’s stylist, Andrew Vottero, reached out to me just days before the Oscars. He had this incredible Prada look picked out and wanted something floral, but with an otherworldly feel. I immediately thought about rare flowers that have a unique texture and movement—something that wouldn’t just sit on the suit but actually become part of the design.”
For this Oscar-worthy piece, Michael chose:
Purple Oncidium Orchid – “I love that you can either see a dancing lady or a spider in its shape.”
Green Hanging Amaranthus – “I wanted a drippy texture to contrast with the structured suit.”
White Muscari – “It tied into the color of the jacket and kept the scale delicate.”
Clematis Seed Pod – “This added a graphic swirl, a small but bold statement.”
Curly Allium – “That final touch that makes it feel a little magical, a little surreal.”
But designing the piece wasn’t the only challenge. Fresh flowers are living art, and the heat of camera lights, long event hours, and enthusiastic hugs can be their worst enemies.
Michael Woodcock -"I always remind people wearing fresh flowers that they need to be a little mindful. No hugs, avoid too much heat, and definitely keep them dry. There’s something really special about wearing something so ephemeral—it’s meant to last just a moment in time.”
Seeing his creation on the red carpet was a career highlight for Michael.
Michael Woodcock -"Jeff was incredibly kind and complimentary. His energy is just so fun and charismatic. And Andrew— the stylist —he’s a true visionary. It was an honor to collaborate with them on this.”
Goldblum, known for his iconic roles in Jurassic Park and Independence Day, walked the red carpet for Wicked, in which he plays The Wizard of Oz. The film received two Oscar wins, adding to the excitement of the evening.
For Michael, this wasn’t just about florals — it was about storytelling through nature.
See more of Michael’s floral artistry:Instagram: @pretendplantsandflowers
Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C. & St. Paul!
Spring is here, and cherry blossoms are putting on their spectacular show in multiple cities!
Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival
March 20 – April 13
Peak Bloom: March 28 – 31 (Predicted by the National Park Service)
Festival Website & Events: National Cherry Blossom Festival
Live Bloom Cam- Watch Cherry Blossoms in Real-Time!
Como Park Cherry Trees – St. Paul, MN
Did you know? Como Park in St. Paul is home to several cherry trees from Japan!
In 2012, the Japanese government donated cherry trees to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the original gift to Washington, D.C.
Viewing Tip: Head to the Como Park Butterfly Lot and look for the trees at the end of the lot.
Cherry Tree Celebration – St. Paul
Saturday, May 3, 2025, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM, Como Park, (by the Cherry Blossom Trees).
All are welcome! Come celebrate spring under the beautiful cherry blossoms!
Have you visited Como Park’s cherry blossoms? What’s your favorite spring bloom?
Please reply and share your thoughts!
Until next time, #bloomwithme
Diana Pierce
Diana Pierce Photography
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