Flowers Valley Brings HBO’s Ada Brook to Life Through Floral Design
Flowers Valley was honored to participate in Fleurs de Villes: The Gilded Age, a special collaboration between HBO Max and the global floral exhibition series. The experience reimagines the world of HBO’s Emmy®-nominated drama through elaborate floral installations created by leading local floral designers, each inspired by characters from the series.
For the Filoli exhibition, running September 9–18, our team at Flowers Valley had the opportunity to bring Ada Brook, one of the show’s most beloved characters, to life through flowers. Rather than simply recreating her clothing, our goal was to interpret Ada’s personality, story, and signature style through a couture-inspired floral design.
So, what happens when one of HBO’s most recognizable characters leaves the screen and becomes a floral installation? Here’s an inside look at our creative process, from the initial concept to the finished Ada Brook.
Bringing Ada Brook’s Story to Life Through Flowers
Ada Brook is the warm heart of the van Rhijn household. While often living in the shadow of her sister Agnes, Ada is known for her kindness, optimism, and quiet strength. Her character evolves throughout The Gilded Age, eventually finding love and a greater sense of independence later in life. Those qualities became the starting point for our floral interpretation.
We wanted the finished mannequin to feel unmistakably like Ada. Her welcoming nature, understated elegance, and quiet optimism all influenced the direction of the design, from the silhouette of the floral dress to the textures and botanical choices. And, of course, we couldn't forget Pumpkin, Ada's beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Designing a Couture-Inspired Floral Dress
Creating a floral mannequin is about much more than covering a dress in flowers. Every detail had to work together to create a recognizable character while also functioning as a sculptural floral installation.
For Ada, our team focused on the silhouette, texture, and movement of the design. The mannequin itself was carefully considered to reflect the character as closely as possible, while the floral dress transformed those familiar details into something entirely botanical.
The design also followed Fleurs de Villes' requirement for a 100% botanical installation, combining fresh flowers with dried and preserved botanicals. Without relying on traditional fashion accessories, fabric, or decorative props, the flowers themselves had to provide the texture, structure, and visual interest of the dress.
From the first concept to the final bloom, every detail was carefully considered.
A Floral Interpretation of Ada, Not Just a Re-Creation
One of the most interesting parts of a project like this is finding the balance between accuracy and creativity. Ada’s costume and character provided the foundation, but we were able to play around with the design and put our own spin on it. Instead of recreating her costume exactly as it appeared on screen, we created a piece that feels connected to The Gilded Age while still bringing our own Flowers Valley flair to the design.
That meant thinking about flowers almost like fabric: where they could create softness, where they could add structure, and how different textures could work together to create dimension. The finished piece needed to feel polished and elevated enough for Filoli while still capturing the warmth and personality that make Ada such a memorable character.
The Rules Behind the Design
Like any large-scale floral installation, there were a few creative guidelines we had to work within. The design needed to be 100% botanical, using a combination of fresh and dried or preserved flowers, with no visible vases, water sources, fabric, ribbons, or other decorative props. Even the mannequin itself needed to closely reflect Ada’s character, from her proportions to her overall appearance.
Rather than seeing those requirements as limitations, they pushed us to get more creative with the flowers themselves. Every element had to serve a purpose, which ultimately helped us create a more thoughtful interpretation of Ada.
The Perfect Setting at Filoli
We were lucky enough to create our Ada Brook installation at Filoli, a historic estate just 30 miles south of San Francisco with a stunning Georgian Revival-style house and 16 acres of formal gardens. With its connection to the Gilded Age era and incredible landscape, it was the perfect backdrop for this project.
The setting became part of the design itself, helping our floral interpretation feel like Ada had stepped straight into her own world. Surrounded by historic architecture and lush gardens, Filoli gave the installation an elevated feel that brought the entire concept to life.
A Project We Won't Forget
We’re incredibly proud to have been part of Fleurs de Villes: The Gilded Age at Filoli and to have had the opportunity to interpret Ada Brook through our own floral design.
Being part of a showcase that brings together talented floral designers from across the Bay Area was an incredible experience for our team. From the first concept and floral selection to the mechanics, construction, and final installation, every step was an experience we’ll never forget.
