Vancouver Floral Artists Win International Award for Downton Abbey Flower Displays
The creative team behind Vancouver-based Fleurs de Villes has secured an international award for their innovative floral storytelling series that celebrated the release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Founders Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley were honored with the Best Integrated Partnership — Cinema category at the 2026 Global Entertainment Awards held in Marbella, Spain.
Elaborate Botanical Creations
Marshall and Barkley specialize in constructing elaborate displays using entirely fresh flowers, reimagining traditional flower shows by focusing on the intersection of art, history, and culture. "We use flowers as a medium to tell stories in a beautiful and unexpected way," Marshall explained. Their work transforms botanical materials into narrative art pieces that captivate audiences.
Downton Abbey Floral Characters
For the release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale last year, the Vancouver duo created flower-adorned versions of key characters from the historical drama series. These included:
- Lady Mary Crawley
- Marquess of Flintshire Hugh MacClare
- Lady Sybil Crawley
Each installation featured unique costumes and distinct floral choices, with everything being 100% botanical. The displays were designed to last approximately ten days at each show, requiring careful selection and replacement of blooms as they faded.
International Exhibition Tour
Partnering with local floral artists in each city, Fleurs de Villes staged over 150 fresh floral installations across ten cities in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Notable venues included:
- VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in London, England
- Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England
The exhibitions were developed in collaboration with film studios and Allied Global Marketing, creating an immersive experience for Downton Abbey enthusiasts.
Storytelling Through Botanical Details
Marshall noted that storylines and character elements were woven into individual installations for fans to discover. "Botanical cakes were added for the cook, wedding bouquets were mimicked for wedding scenes, and even the front of a Rolls-Royce was included for the chauffeur—all using botanicals," she described. This attention to detail transformed floral arrangements into narrative devices that brought the Downton Abbey world to life.
Future Floral Projects
Following their award-winning success, Fleurs de Villes will expand their floral creativity to other themes in the coming year. The duo has scheduled more than eighteen shows across Canada and the United States, continuing their mission to use flowers as a medium for artistic expression. "Flowers make everyone happy, and our approach to storytelling reinforces the power of Mother Nature," Marshall concluded.
The Global Entertainment Awards recognize excellence across various categories including television, cinema, streaming, and games. Fleurs de Villes' achievement highlights the growing recognition of botanical art as a legitimate and impactful form of creative expression in the entertainment industry.
