Red Flower

Profile

When Red Flower arrived at Barney's in 1999, the line was a mere bouquet of a few floral teas and scented candles. Since then, the brand has blossomed into more than a dozen scents and products, all featured at its Nolita boutique and boasting an impressive celebrity fan base. Founded by Victor Silveira and former Shiseido creative director, Yael Alkalay, the stylish line of teas, candles, bath products, and skin treatments is based on the concepts of ritual, generosity, and simple worldly pleasures. Soaps and lotions are made of honey, flowers, and essential oils; teas are certified organic, hand blended, and served with bombillas�communal drinking straws from Argentina; and candles have an elevated oil content of fifteen percent (evident in their aromatic powers) and are topped with dried flowers. The boutique encourages patrons to take time to smell the you-know-what while sipping tea and settling into a plush cushion; designed by Alkalay's husband, Scott Kruger, the space was created according to wabi sabi, the Japanese ideology celebrating simple, earthy aesthetics: The dark wood floor is adorned with resin squares filled with flower petals, walls are decorated with found objects, and a central totem pole encourages visitors to leave any pocket clutter as a personal offering. — Sarah Walker