The Beauty of Seven Continents

There are nearly 400,000 species of flowering plants in the world—and depending on your location, flowers can carry different meanings. One thing is true across every region: Their natural beauty and resilience evoke appreciation and awe. 

As conceived by Alya Michelson, The Beauty of Seven Continents frames global migration as a universal narrative bound by the beauty of nature, which blooms without prejudice. "Try on these beautiful crowns and see yourself entirely "accepted" by the flowers of these diverse continents. It does not matter what color your skin is and what language you speak; you are always home on any of your journeys”, she says. “Nature does not have barriers and walls, does not have stereotypes: this is something that we should yet learn”.

In creating these floral headpieces, Alya and her partners emphasized raw and natural flowers and shapes native to their region of origin. Taken collectively, they represent the notion that beauty is universal, transcending every language and culture.

Europe

Inspired by a history of monarchs, we created a true floral crown with garden roses, hellebores, and carnations in place of points and jewels. These flowers have been cultivated for hundreds, even thousands, of years in this region. The rose itself has long symbolized love, probably for the natural beauty of the petals and the sharp points of the thorns.

Antarctica

Antarctica’s harsh climate limits the number of native plants and flowers. In lieu of native florals, we used a variety of dried and bleached flowers and foliage. The raw shape and design isn't defined by any one characteristic or culture. It represents the openness and beauty of art and the shape that can fill an open space, no matter how uninhabitable it might appear.

North America

We selected a mohawk headdress to represent the North American natives with dried grasses, pods, and Castilleja coccinea (common name Indian paintbrush). These native plants and flowers can still be seen in natural preserves and protected habitats today. This headpiece is over 3 feet tall.

Australia

Australia may be best known for its varied wildlife, but the home of the kangaroo is also home to the kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos, state flower of Western Australia). We used native eucalyptus, banksia, and baobab pods to create this asymmetrical headpiece—slightly wild, like the vast and open Australian bush.

Asia

This floral headpiece shape was inspired by traditional Kanzashi designs, many of which date back over a thousand years. We used peonies, cherry blossoms, lotus, and orchids—flowers long ago popularized in Asian literature and art. Prized and highly sought after flowers like the peony were the exclusive domain of emperors and royalty.