British fashion brand Oasis celebrates nature with limited edition RHS summer collection

The Royal Horticultural Society has teamed up with the British fashion brand, Oasis to launch an exclusive, limited-edition 27-piece collection of women’s apparel, designed to celebrate nature and horticulture.

The Oasis design team has worked closely with the RHS and its RHS Lindley Collection to select and adapt a portfolio of striking drawings. The fashion team then re-sketched the chosen images by hand to incorporate the prints into a new collection. The 27-piece collection features 11 prints in total.

Styles in the collection include maxi dresses featuring classic magnolias or bold multi-coloured blooms finished with embroidered trims and ruffle details. Meanwhile, unique bird prints feature on tailored separates and corseted midi dresses, listed as ‘perfect for special occasions.’

Then, what Oasis calls ‘floaty, boho-inspired pieces’ make up the chic summer dressing collection in both mini and maxi lengths, “exuding luxury with crinkle georgette fabrics, lace yoke inserts and dramatic, tie-up sleeves.”

The core target market for Oasis is women in their early-mid 30s who seek quality, intricate details and print designs with a story. However, the secondary market for Oasis apparel is a significant one, and the association with the UK’s best-loved gardening charity is expected to further enhance the appeal of this new range to a wide age group.

The collection is available online at Oasis-stores.com from the 14th of July.

Michelle Evatt, head Of design at Oasis, said: “We are extremely pleased to launch our first limited-edition collaboration with the RHS. As a brand that celebrates nature and weaves storytelling into print design, the opportunity to explore the RHS botanical print archives was priceless.

“Our design team carefully selected a handful of striking designs and re-sketched by hand, to incorporate these breathtaking prints into a collection that’s contemporary yet full of romance and timeless appeal, while capturing the essence of the RHS.”

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, added: “From sketch to store, Oasis worked closely with the RHS to capture the essence of the work in our vast library. The results are some truly enchanting prints and captivating styles that together form a beautiful collection that celebrates the joys of nature in a delightful and original way.”

The RHS partners UK gardening experts Woodlodge Products for outdoor pots

The Royal Horticultural Society has named Woodlodge Products its UK licensing partner for a range of outdoor pots, one of the gardening brand’s key categories.

Under the new deal, Woodlodge Products – a UK supplier of garden pots and gardenware – will launch its first products to retailers for pre-order in September this year. They will be distributed to retail outlets from January 2020.

While the partnership is still in its early stages, Woodlodge is already making preliminary plans for the first range and will include both classic and modern designs and a full selection of sizes to accomodate any outdoor space. The final version of the first range will incorporate standard terracotta, glazed, and fibre clay pots.

For the design process, Woodlodge will have access to the whole range of RHS design assets, including its style guides and artwork from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s finest collection of botanical art.

All product will either be embossed or debossed with the RHS logo, creating consumer confidence at point of purchase.

 Woodlodge boasts more than 1,500 garden centre accounts located throughout the UK and Ireland, all of which will be the primary focus for the new range. The firm also has a history of creating innovative products and eye-catching in-store merchandising so the launch of the new RHS-endorsed range is eagerly anticipated by both retailers and customers.

2020 saw a steep upswing in the gardening sector, with the pandemic introducing a new range of customers to the hobby from across the age spectrum and social demographic. A number of these are discovering not only the benefits of being outside, but the benefits of gardening to physical and mental health at a particularly demanding and stressful time.

The RHS ranges will therefore target all members of this fast-expanding group of budding gardeners, who have embraced nature during the lockdowns.

Michael Wooldridge, managing director, Woodlodge Products, said: “As the market-leading supplier of garden pottery in the UK, it’s important for us to work with brands and partners that have a strong resonance for gardeners. To be associated with the RHS, a charity that aims to inspire a passion for gardening and growing plants and promotes the physical and mental advantages of gardening, is, for Woodlodge, a natural fit.

“The RHS is a highly regarded and recognisable brand and will offer consumers both peace of mind and confidence when buying our range of products.”

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, added: “Our members and supporters are, not surprisingly, keen to have the highest-quality products in their gardens and outdoor pots are a very important category for the RHS.

“We are therefore delighted to be working with Woodlodge, which has always maintained high levels of quality and service while providing continual innovation and style to all its ranges.”

The New York Botanical Garden partners with BloomsyBox to launch official subscription box collections

The New York Botanical Garden has partnered with the US subscription box for flower lovers, BloomsyBox to introduce hand-crafted bouquets inspired by the organisation’s living collections, as well as its rare botanical works found in its LuEsther T. Mertz Library.

The New York Botanical Garden Collection is a monthly flower subscription box featuring one of a kind, custom designed and hand tied bouquets. The collection features flowers sourced from Fair Trade flower farms that are Rainforest Alliance certified. The subscription box has been billed as the ‘perfect occassions gift.’

“Now more than ever, consumers are looking for ways to liven up their homes and easily send  joyful gifts to friends and family,” said Meredith Counts, business development and creative director for NYBG. “With the NYBG Collection by BloomsyBox, we are able to bring the  wonder of The New York Botanical Garden into people’s homes.” 

The collection is now available through BloomsyBox.com. A percentage of the proceeds from sales of the collection support The New York Botanical Garden’s work in plant research and conservation, horticulture, and education.  

The partnership was brokered by NYBG’s licensing agency, Jewel Branding & Licensing.