Rancho Couture

After the background cacti in Marc Jacobs’ ad campaign caused me to posit succulents as fashion catalysts, I decided I would pursue that inspiration and design some looks of my own. Treating it like the first garden-based ‘Project Runway’ challenge, I limited each look to one type of succulent, with an hour for working … But, unlike the contestants on Project Runway, I’m allowing myself an unlimited budget … so I’m off to Mood!

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Echeveria: Effervescent

This first look showcases the pretty rosette shapes, natural frilliness and spectrum-cool colors of various echeverias. This perfectly-pretty little number would look great on the red carpet at the premiere of a movie showcasing a former child star’s first turn as leading lady.

Kalanchoe: Kicky

Sequinned-of-body, and layered in rubber kalanchoe flapjack petals (accented by the contrasting blossoms of another), this look would be kicky for a kinky pop star dining out at that famous restaurant. You know, the one everyone’s gaga for, but can’t get into.

Aeonium: Aesthetic

Aeoniums — variegated, striped and darkly glossy — are printed on fine crepe de chine, and cut along the bias, to create the perfect dress for a gallery owner with a penchant for talking business over high tea. A milliner’s best friend, she’s famous for commissioning a chapeau for her every frock.

Agave: Avant

A hip-pop diva with avant garde tastes would love this strappy-bubble number based on the humble agave. She’d enjoy the fact that the agave has a reputation for being dangerously prickly, that it flourishes under harsh conditions and that tequila comes from some varieties … that is if someone were brave enough to tell her.

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Succulent couture? I die! (© Rachel Zoe)