Welcome to the Hot House

They once heard a song about wearing flowers in your hair.

Christian Dior tops ($1,150 each) and skirts ($11,500 each); Philip Treacy headpieces (prices on request); Shaun Leane cherry blossom rings ($639 each).

She bought the flowers herself.

From left: Carolina Herrera blouse and skirt (prices on request); stylist's own fringe skirt; Lara Jensen rose orb headpiece (price on request); Gillian Horsup earrings ($47); Oscar de la Renta necklace ($890); VV Rouleaux ribbon and flowers (prices on request); Linda Bee flowers ($71); Sermoneta gloves (price on request); Mercura sunglasses ($875); Vintage Modes bag (price on request); Rupert Sanderson sandals ($1,062).

Erdem dress ($4,270); Mawi necklace ($976); Gillian Horsup earrings ($47); Sermoneta gloves (price on request); Sophia Webster clutch ($536) and heels ($560); VV Rouleaux flowers and ribbon (prices on request); Mercura sunglasses ($775).

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress ($1,306); Erickson Beamon necklace ($791); Gillian Horsup earrings ($47); Dior bag ($3,500); Basia flowers (price on request); Mercura sunglasses ($575); Tabitha Simmons for Peter Som heels ($875).

Dries Van Noten shirt ($395), blouse ($990), and skirt ($830); DeDe Valentine headpiece ($1,298); Faraone Mennella necklace ($30,000); Gillian Horsup ring ($38); Monica Vinader ring ($189); Vintage Modes bag (price on request); Basia flowers (price on request); VV Rouleaux ribbon (price on request); Mercura sunglasses ($375); Manolo Blahnik heels ($925).

Erdem dress ($10,080); Oscar de la Renta earrings ($225); Erickson Beamon ring ($335); Vanessa Arizaga necklace ($450); VV Rouleaux flowers (price on request); Mulberry satchel (price on request); Mercura sunglasses ($575); Roger Vivier pumps ($875)

Fierce pattern play is not for shrinking violets.

From left:Oscar de la Renta dress ($7,790) and necklace (worn as belt, $1,490); Piers Atkinson hat ($599); Chanel necklace (price on request); Gillian Horsup necklace ($63); Tom Binns bracelet ($550); House of Lavande earrings ($850); Cornelia James gloves (price on request); Vintage Modes bag (price on request); Aquazzura sandals ($895).

Oscar de la Renta dress ($5,990) and belt ($490); Lara Jensen silk rose coronet (price on request); Assad Mounser necklace ($425); Iosselliani bracelet ($331); Cartier watch (price on request); Sermoneta gloves (price on request); Aquazzura stilettos ($775).

Oscar de la Renta gown ($7,990) and cuff ($475); Stephen Jones hat ($708); Iosselliani necklace ($292); Sveva chain necklace ($404); Cartier necklace ($94,122), earrings ($35,688), and brooch (price on request); Cornelia James gloves ($55); Manolo Blahnik heels ($977).

Oscar de la Renta cropped jacket ($5,290) and shorts ($690); Lara Jensen headpiece (price on request); Andy Farrow necklaces (from $3,069); Cartier bracelet (price on request); Gillian Horsup earrings ($38); Talisman Gallery ring ($8,613); Cornelia James gloves (price on request); Charlotte Olympia heels ($845). All tights throughout by Celeste Stein ($32 a pair).

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The earth laughs in flowers."

Ralph Lauren Collection dress ($5,998); Sophia Webster shoes ($938); Lara Jensen rabbit ears (price on request); Shourouk necklace ($1,910); Gillian Horsup bracelet ($104); LaCrasia gloves (price on request).

Let a rose be your umbrella.

Donna Karan New York gown ($6,800); Sophie McElligott headband (price on request); Tom Binns necklace ($1,315); Erickson Beamon earrings ($54); Chanel rings (prices on request); Kim Lone umbrella (price on request).

A hat ladies' luncheon in a four-poster bed.

From left:Moschino dress ($995); Vintage Modes hat (price on request); Tatty Devine necklaces (from $252); Bulgari earrings ($10,400) and ring ($9,500); Paula Rowan gloves (price on request); Vogue glasses ($125); Kurt Geiger wedges ($189). Marni coat ($1,540) and skirt ($3,280); Vintage Modes hat (price on request); Bulgari necklaces (from $32,900) and ring ($9,500); Shourouk earrings ($852); Gillian Horsup brooch ($134); LaCrasia gloves (price on request); Mulberry bag ($1,600); Tiffany glasses ($292); Manolo Blahnik boots ($1,561).

Marni coat ($1,690); Noel Stewart hat ($866); Andy Farrow necklace ($14,975); Oscar de la Renta earrings ($450); Gillian Horsup bracelet ($87); LaCrasia gloves (price on request); Vogue glasses ($148); Dolce & Gabbana wedges ($2,745).

Mulberry dress ($2,100); Vintage Modes hat (price on request); Erickson Beamon necklace ($930) and earrings ($556); Oscar de la Renta necklace ($795); Harry Winston bracelet (price on request); Gillian Horsup brooch ($47); Caspar gloves (price on request); Asprey bag ($22,800); Prada glasses ($331); Manolo Blahnik heels ($1,087).

Dolce & Gabbana blouse ($795) and skirt ($1,395); Stephen Jones hat ($1,393); Bulgari necklace (price on request) and ring ($9,300); Andy Farrow earrings ($552); Caspar gloves (price on request); Versace glasses (price on request); Manolo Blahnik heels ($977).

Wild blossoms offer a modern twist on straitlaced stripes.

Dolce & Gabbana dress (price on request); Bulgari necklace ($45,800) and earrings ($27,200); VV Rouleaux flowers (price on request). A hot pink eye shadow swirled around the orbs has an enchanting effect: Dior Diorshow Mono Eyeshadow in Bow #887.

For more Ruven Afanador photographs see our April 2013 issue.