Pretty in Pink: Michelle Rago's clean lines and bright colors.

Florists Directory

L�Olivier Floral Atelier
213 W. 14th St., nr. Seventh Ave.
212-255-2828
lolivier.com
Well-respected among high-society and fashion types, this Proven�al designer started Pierre Cardin�s first flower shops�Le Fleurs de Maxim�s�in Paris, Tokyo, and New York before setting out on his own eleven years ago. His modern, architectural arrangements typically consist of a cluster of monochromatic flowers bunched tightly together and wrapped with philodendron leaves. Bridal bouquets from $275; centerpieces from $175.

Lotus by Luis Collazo
122 W. 26th St., nr. Sixth Ave
212-463-0555
lotus212.com
Inspired by his love of Pollock and Kandinsky, designer Luis Collazo’s work usually involves bold color combinations (baby blue and burgundy, fuchsia and orange). The finishing touch? Giant beakers as containers. Fans include Kate Hudson, Michael Stipe, Barbara Walters, and Donald Trump. Centerpieces from $150; bridal bouquets are $150 to $350.

Magnolia Flowers & Events
436 Hudson St., at Morton St.
212-243-7302
magnolia-nyc.com
By appointment only
The brainchild of three friends who left their jobs working for other renowned florists, this hot shop has decorated three MTV Video Music Awards shows, the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards, and a Today show wedding. Their arrangements are abundant and monochromatic in custom-designed containers, with no fillers. Centerpieces average $250.

Marc-Antoine Floral Design
150 W. 28th St., nr. Seventh Ave., No. 1702
212-627-2244
marc-antoine.com
By appointment only
Whether he’s incorporating classic candelabras or contemporary wire lights, Marc-Antoine’s floral designs are clean, lush, and mesmerizing. Though his wedding list is hush-hush, his corporate one includes Hermès, Omega, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Centerpieces and bouquets start at $200.

Michael George Custom Floral Design
5 Tudor City Pl., at E. 41st St.
212-883-0304
michaelgeorgeflowers.com
The irrepressible Michael George was one of the pioneers of the fuss-free floral look. Known for his minimalist, graphic style, he often makes arrangements with masses of a single type of seasonal flower (mostly calla lilies, roses, or tulips—sometimes 300 or more in a bunch). Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger swear by him. Bridal bouquets and centerpieces from $250; complete weddings from $10,000.

Michelle Rago, Ltd.
115 W. 28th St., nr. Sixth Ave., No. 3F
212-736-0195
michelleragoltd.com
Inventive and self-taught, Rago melds bright colors, unusual glass containers, and clean lines into monochromatic arrangements. She used to be the Today show’s regular florist, and handled the nuptials of Erica Jong’s daughter. Rago’s designs are refreshingly young and fashionable. Bouquets from $200; centerpieces from $300.

Miho Kosuda, Ltd.
310 E. 44th St., nr. First Ave.
212-922-9122
Kosuda and her daughter, Carol, specialize in simple and elegant arrangements consisting of one flower in abundance: The Victorian bouquet is an arrangement made to look like one single rose, made out of about 50 rose petals (from $350). She’s especially big among fashion-industry types—Bill Blass was her first fan. Bouquets from $250; centerpieces from $200.

Mille Fiori Floral Design
227 W. 29th St., nr. Seventh Ave., second fl.
212-714-2202
millefioriflowers.com
By appointment only
In 1987, after René Hofstede emigrated from Holland, he delivered clothes to Giorgio Armani’s store and occasionally dropped off a bouquet. Soon, Hofstede was designing for Armani execs as well as for Tina Brown, Carson Daly, Conan O’Brien, and Donatella Versace. Centerpieces start at $150; bouquets are $150 to $600.

Nico De Swert
81 Washington St., at York St., Ste. 4C, Dumbo, Brooklyn
718-614-1125
nicodeswert.com
By appointment only
Flowers) designed a wedding for one of his country’s aristocratic families before coming here seven years ago to work for Martha Stewart. For now, his highly constructive, textured designs are by commission only. Prices upon request.

Ovando
337 Bleecker St., nr. W. 10th St.
212-924-7848
ovandony.com
Mexican designer Sandra de Ovando has a love of bright colors and a distinctly sculptural style, and containers are not always necessary. Her arrangements are elegant and artsy�both Armani and Gucci have used her work for fashion events. She might create a ball of roses on a pillow of petals or an army of calla lilies standing at attention as if in a queue. Bouquets from $150; centerpieces from $150.

Philip Baloun Studio Designs
340 W. 55th St., nr. Eighth Ave.
212-307-1675
philipbaloun.com
A favorite for all kinds of high-society events, Baloun has worked for George Soros and the Lefrak and Mezzacappa families. He can produce any style, but he’s known for creating dramatic fantasylands, like massive arrangements of blossoming branches of dogwood coupled with anemones and candles. Centerpieces and bouquets start at $175. A 200-person hotel wedding—Baloun does lighting and linens as well—starts at $35,000.

Photographed by Kenneth Chen.