Metta Melbourne Launches 'The Florist's Reverie' - A Celebration of Print

The Metta Melbourne 'The Florist's Reverie' collection for SS25/26 celebrates craftsmanship in print with hand-screen printed textiles inspired by antique fabrics and artworks sourced and selected by hand at markets in Europe and Japan. This new collection evokes a poetic sense of peace and calm, an abstract state of being, a daydream, a walk in the summer rain, the aroma of a fragrant rose, a stroll in an English garden.

Print designs are expressed across Metta Melbourne's natural fibres; crisp cotton poplins, romantic cotton voile, and smooth cotton twill. These accent styles complement the core collection of high-quality European linen styles, for which the brand is so well known.

The Bouquet Print is a bold floral print with an antique base. This beautiful fabric has a real vintage feel to it. Reminiscent of Chintz, this fabric would historically have been block printed or hand painted onto calico with a glazed finish.

Chintz fabric originated in India in the early 1600's, originally depicting scenes of exotic flowers, leaves and fruit in rich colours. These furnishing fabrics became popular in Europe in the in the late 17th Century and were even banned in France and England to protect their local manufacturing.

The Bouquet Print is hand screen-printed onto a light weight cotton poplin in India. All styles are washed and tumbled in-house to give each piece a soft, worn-in patina. This floral print is used across our classic 'Dominqiue Blazer', perfect as a statement layer for cooler summer evenings - it looks wonderful layered over White, Antique, and Berry summer dresses.

This fabric is offered in two statement botanical print dresses 'The Nomi Dress' a long sleeve A-line shape with elegant gathering detail, and the popular 'Paloma Dress' an updated version of the Flossie Dress - a shorter sleeved dress with playful volume throughout. Our classic styles The Anna Top and The Ulla Skirt are also available in bouquet print, which can be worn together for a maximalist alternative to a summer dress or worn separately with more neutral garments for more understated styling.

The Ginza Print was specially developed and hand-screen printed on to Cotton Voile. A lightweight, floaty fabric that feels 'barely there' against the skin. This fabric was inspired by a delicate floral, found at an antique market in Japan. The gentle fading on the original piece was carefully carried into the final design to capture the character of the vintage textile. 

We see this dreamy natural fabric adding a feminine expression your wardrobe. With options in the June Dress, Ulla Skirt, Hill Blouse, Ida Shirt, Indra Shirt and the new Pearl Blouse - there's a style to suit every shape. Or simply add a little print to your look with the Ginza Print Square Scarf. The Ginza printed styles work beautifully with garments in a similar weight, for example the cotton voile garments in plain colours of antique, black or white.

The Coco Stripe was inspired by a remnant of fabric the Metta team fell in love with at an antique market in Paris. This was hand screen printed on to a buttery, soft cotton twill. These charming stripes show subtle wobbles, charming, intentional imperfections that are part of the hand printed production process. Kiah wears The Alto Dress in Coco Stripe, a bold button through shirt dress with the Ophelia Shirt Dress in Light Linen in Chartreuse. Both can be worn on their own as dresses or layered and worn open to add subtle drama to the silhouette - The perfect Summer Dress pairing.

The Dahlia Dress is a classic summer dress style, which returns in linen this season with a square neckline. Beautiful gathered details from the bust creates an elegant and flattering A-line shape. As always our dresses have pockets conveniently placed at the side seams. We styled the Dahlia Dress with the Harriet Bloomers to add a lace detail, it also paired well with the Dominique Blazer in Cotton Poplin in Antique, Berry and Bouquet Print. Available in White and Antique it's equally well suited for days by the beach, or warm afternoons spent in the garden.

Metta Melbourne has a long-standing relationship working with Liberty of London Fabrics for over 18 years. With an appreciation of the quality, heritage and timeless British craftsmanship of their designs, Liberty Florals are printed on their signature, luxurious Tana Lawn Cotton. A densely woven cotton, which is lightweight yet durable with a silky feel. A texture that also allows for the best quality print in vibrant colours.

This season we have a Metta Melbourne exclusive: The Cliff Shirt in Yellow Betsy which is only available online at www.mettamelbourne.com or by appointment at our Melbourne Showroom.

It can be paired with The Emily Skirt in the same fabric or worn as separates. Liberty Floral Prints are expressed across the Fran Long Shirt, Yuki Top, and Emily Skirt and are all manufactured locally here in Melbourne, Australia.

The Spring Summer Colour Palette consists of Antique, Berry, Chartreuse, Duck Egg, Turquoise and Navy. 

For complementary combinations pair:

Antique and Chartreuse | Antique and Berry | Antique and Duck Egg | Navy and Duck Egg | White and Turquoise | Ginza Print and Antique or Black | Bouquet Print and Antique or White | Coco Stripe and Antique or Chartreuse.

For bold combinations pair: 

Chartreuse and Berry | Navy and Berry | Antique and Black | Coco Stripe and Navy | Bouquet Print with Berry. 

When considering working these new hues into your wardrobe with favourite items from previous seasons wearing Berry with Black Forest or Chartreuse with Concrete work beautifully together.

We are pleased to invite our customers to book an appointment and experience the collection in person at our shop-able showroom in 

The Cotton Mills.

The Florist's Reverie lookbook images were taken by Photographer Jessica Tremp at Hepburn Springs, Victoria. 

Mentioned: Liberty of London | Chintz Fabric | Metta Melbourne