It seems we are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Spring. Many of us enjoying an early burst of sunshine this weekend and Lovers on the AnOther Loves stream voting for this blossoming jacaranda tree posted by freelance fashion assistant Sally Anne
It seems we are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Spring. Many of us enjoying an early burst of sunshine this weekend and Lovers on the AnOther Loves stream voting for this blossoming jacaranda tree posted by freelance fashion assistant Sally Anne Loxley.
Jacaranda is a genus of 49 species of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions and has been introduced to Australia, New Zealand, India, Fiji and parts of Africa. The species are shrubs to large trees ranging in size from 2 to 30m tall and have flowers, each with a five-lobed blue to purple-blue corolla. Their striking appearance means they are regularly used in landscape gardens but its wood is often used for the body of acoustic guitars and by the Chinese, to make a distinctive purple dye.
Interestingly, the purple tree scores highly when many of the collections during Milan fashion week have used the colour in their palettes, notably Prada who showed its collection on a graphic purple carpet courtesy of Rem Koolhass. Here we speak to Bolton about her choice...
Why did you love this jacaranda tree?
The first time I saw a jacaranda was when I was travelling in Australia. I was so struck by the colour of the blossom and became obsessed with them. There is the most beautiful painting in Queensland Art Gallery by R. Godfrey Rivers called Under the Jacaranda. I really love this image – the yellow car is a great contrast for the blossom and the Victorian town houses in the background, which are also so synonymous with Australia.
What is your favourite season?
I actually really like Winter. I love layering and knitwear and enjoy observing how people dress when it's cold. I really enjoy going for walks when it is bright, crisp and cold or being wrapped up warm inside when it is freezing outdoors. I find something romantic in the bleakness of Winter.
What is your favourite tree, plant and flower?
I can't decide between the jacaranda and the Christmas tree! My favourite plant is fennel because of the scent and my favourite flower is the white longiflorum lily. David Hockney's Salts Mill in Bradford has huge vases of them throughout the space and it is one of my favourite places to visit.
What would your dream garden look like?
It would look like the garden at my father's home where I grew up – a big open space with beautiful flowers plants and trees. It has always been such a haven and changes everyday. I still ask my dad to send me photographs with the change of each season.
Do you own anything purple? Is it a colour you would normally wear?
I own purple underwear by Stella McCartney and hardly wear purple other than that. I find it such a strong colour to wear and my own style is a little more minimal.
What is your dream car?
A VW camper van in sky blue.
What was the last thing you bought?
A bottle of red wine, Australian Shiraz-Whyndam Estate Bin 555.
What is your favourite online shop?
Motto Distribution – it sells really beautiful art books and prints. I bought Sol & Luna by Vivienne Sassen from there, which is one of my favourite books, and a limited edition print from the book.
Text by Laura Bradley
