With Chelsea Flower Show in full swing, I decided to take a trip to Sloane Square to see who else had joined in the floral fun. Chelsea in Bloom extends the iconic RHS Chelsea Flower Show out into the local neighbourhood and sees the area transformed with floral art. This year had a ‘Floral Safari’ theme and saw 50 shops, restaurants and hotels competing for coveted awards.
Life sizes floral animals took over shop fronts, decorated window displays and roamed Chelsea’s streets in a fantastic display of creativity. From huge elephants to majestic lions, zebras and crocodiles. There were complimentary rickshaw rides (although sadly they had finished for the day when I got there) and a pop-up Safari Bar from The Botanist. I picked up my guide from the Information Point in the centre of Sloane Square, which just so happened to be a Safari Guide’s office, and proceeded to follow the route around Chelsea. My most favourite display had to be Kiki Mcdonough who had created a brilliant outdoor feature of a giraffe and monkey in vibrant purples and reds. I also loved Rag & Bone’s Safari tribute, with giraffes popping their heads out of wooden boxes at the entrance, and the life-size elephant in the centre of Sloane Square with a spray of flowers coming out of his trunk. Giorgio Armani had a more subtle display, and Smythson really pulled the boat out with an entire jungle outside their Sloane Street store – including a cheeky cheetah that looked as though he was coming out of the window.
It was a really lovely thing to see and showed just how a community can come together to create something wonderful for all to enjoy. See below a few pictures from my experience – it just so happened to be the hottest day of the year, so it was a really lovely walk in the sunshine!
