PHILADELPHIA, PA.- It’s the perfect marriage of flora, fashion and fine art. Fashion design students at Moore College of Art & Design have lent their artistic talents to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its annual Philadelphia Flower Show, the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world.

Keeping with the show’s theme for 2009, Bella Italia, students designed garments inspired by the work of designers and artists of Italy. The students were paired with florists who created arrangements which interpret and complement their original designs.

The floral fashions will be displayed at the Philadelphia Flower Show, to be held from March 1–8 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center­­. The event typically draws about 250,000 visitors. The extravaganza will transport guests to the majestic gardens of ancient Rome, the Tuscan countryside, the waters of Venice, the flora of Florence and many other distinctive landscapes of Italy.

“People are very excited,” said Anne Coste, chair of the artistic section for the Philadelphia Flower Show. “Moore has a great reputation. It’s truly a wonderful uniting of flowers and art.”

Via Paserella, Italian for “On the Runway,” was the theme for Moore’s annual Jumpstart Fashion Show last October. Once the theme was announced at the start of the school year, students had one month to come up with and execute their creations. In keeping with the theme, juniors and seniors designed garments inspired by Italian artists, sculptors, designers and architects. Sixty-seven students submitted original designs, and 16 designs were chosen for the show.

“The Philadelphia Flower Show is a wonderful venue for the students’ work and they are thrilled to be paired with floral designers who will be inspired by their designs,” said Janice Lewis, chair of the Fashion Design Department at Moore. “Students were challenged with creating a design that began with researching an Italian artist and then translating the form and colors of their work into a wearable gown.”

Christine Tong, a junior fashion major from Philadelphia, recently met with Nicole Caleo, a florist from West Chester, Pa, to discuss her design. Tong’s dress was inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

“It took a month to create the dress from the design stage,” she said. “The best part [of the process] will be the show. I can’t wait to see how the floral designer has interpreted my design.”

Shawn Graham, another local florist, said she loved the idea of creating arrangements for the students’ dresses.

“Flowers can be a great accessory,” she said. “I asked my designer what the inspiration was for her design so I make sure that the flowers complement it.”

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has more than 15,000 members throughout the country, offering hundreds of gardening programs year-round and is considered the nation’s leading authority on urban renewal through greening.

Moore College of Art & Design, the nation’s first and only women’s art college, is celebrating 160 years of educating women for careers in the visual arts. The College has a history of collaborating with local and non-profit organizations, including the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society. Graphic design major Lindsay Deisher, now a junior at Moore, spent last winter helping with preparations for the 2008 Flower Show as part of a required leadership training program.