SPECTACULAR art of the wearable kind is blossoming forth at this year’s Harrogate Spring Flower Show.

The Christchurch Connection, which features fabulous floral costumes by award-winning New Zealand artist Jenny Gillies, is a European first and will form the centre piece of the show’s new spring theme, HortCouture.

Jenny, whose work is helping to raise the profile of her home city from the rubble of the devastating 2011 earthquakes, is exhibiting for the first time outside Australasia.

A former microbiologist, Jenny started making costumes after a sunflower hat she made was spotted at the races and she was commissioned to make more.

She has gone on to produce pieces for theatre, film and opera, and has won many awards for her wearable art.

Show director Nick Smith said: “When we saw Jenny’s work via the internet we were completely blown away by the fabulous detail and stunning spectacle of her flower gowns – they are a perfect fit for our spring HortCouture theme.”

Jenny’s gowns begin with a real flower, which she pulls apart to create patterns for each element, ensuring that her creation is botanically correct. It takes up to three months, 70 metres of silk and velvet fabric, plus miles of thread to complete each piece.

The show runs from April 20 to 23 at the Great Yorkshire Showground.