Rich Salvaggio works with more than 20 florists from
around the country to make Oscar flowers picture perfect.
Any bets on which celebs will make flowers part of their ensembles at the Oscars on Sunday? My money's on Best Actress contender Anne Hathaway, who played the sister of a bride and the daughter of a florist in the movie "Rachel Getting Married." (The other nominees are Angelina Jolie, Melissa Leo, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet.
From the Best Supporting actress list, I predict Amy Adams as the most likely to sport flower power. (She's competing with Penelope Cruz, Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson and Marisa Tomei.)
Key to the beauty and excitement of the event are flowers. Lots and lots of flowers! Up to 80,000 stems will be on the red carpet, in the arrivals tent, at the artists’ entrance, dressing-room bouquets, VIP arrangements and elsewhere. This year's special blooms include roses, anthurium, ginger, gerbera daisies, Oriental lilies, alstroemeria, carnations and lots of greenery.
"It will have an architectural feeling, strong lines softened with greenery," says floral design expert Rich Salvaggio (shown above preparing for last year's ceremony). Rich coordinates the big event with Charisma Floats and Designs charismafloats.com and more than 20 floral designers from around the country.
With gray skies and winter rain in LA recently, Rich is prepared to cover and uncover the flowers to allow for pre-shooting on Friday. Check Flower Blog on Friday to find out what color the Oscar flowers will be.
How does Rich keep his cool when juggling all these demands? "I stay 12 hours ahead. That way I'm ready for anything!"
