Larz Anderson’s Diplomatic Tailcoat
FleursDC
Ursula Gunther, AIFD, EMC
2021 installation
2nd Floor - Olmsted Gallery
The Inspiration
Larz Anderson, while U.S. minister to Belgium in 1911, commissioned a diplomatic uniform from London tailor Davies & Son, including this wool tailcoat with the Great Seal of the U.S. on the gold buttons.
The Flowers
Florist’s inspiration: Made of navy blue wool, sequins, gold, silk and cotton, this tailcoat from a diplomatic uniform was commissioned by Larz Anderson one year before President Taft appointed him to the highest post of his career, Ambassador to Japan. The coat has elaborate gold bullion and sequin embroidery in a laurel leaf and berry design at the standing collar, chest, waistline, tails, and cuffs. It is lined in a beige silk and closes with metal hooks and eyes that alternate sides down the front of the collar and center front. Nine ornamental convex gold buttons with the Great Seal of the United States descend down the center front closure, with two buttons at the center back. The uniform also includes trousers, overcoat, a ceremonial hat and sword belt. The Andersons did not display the uniform, but the Society has since the 1940s.
THE DESIGNER
Ursula Gunther, AIFD, EMC
FleursDC
Ursula is the proud owner and lead floral designer of fleursDC – a woman-owned business located on Capitol Hill. fleursDC loves to deliver floral dreams to clients’ homes in the DMV. Ursula sees herself as a floral artist constantly inspired by art, fashion, culture, nature and music!
Her avant-garde yet sophisticated floral designs always focus on color and fun. She mindfully creates designs for her clients based on the current trends in design and sourcing unique botanicals that make floral dreams a reality for her clients.
She has studied under both American and European Masters of floral design. She is a Certified Floral Designer and is currently pursuing her European Master Certification. Always a curious student of her craft, she believes in continuous learning and pushing herself out of her comfort zone.
She holds these to be vital to her creative process and growth as an artist. Ursula was a Critical Care Nurse for 18 years before the birth of her son in 2014. She pursued floral design in 2017 during a time of loss and soul searching. She started her business in 2018 while pregnant with her daughter. It’s been full steam ahead ever since and she hasn’t looked back! In her downtime, Ursula enjoys being with her husband, 2 children and dog.
Photo of Donnamaria by Jonny Edward
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Donnamaria R. Jones
Circa Life Images
Donnamaria is a published, award-winning portrait and event photographer based in the Washington DC-Maryland-Virginia area. She owns and operates Circa Life Images Studio, a 2,500 square foot space located on the north end of Waldorf in Southern Maryland. The spacious facility has a very large bay door entrance and offers a range of professional imaging services to include portrait, lifestyle and automotive photography. The studio is conveniently located off the main thoroughfare, MD Route 301, with ample parking just a few feet from the main entrance. She also travels internationally to provide on location photography services.
