Flower Power for In Kind Direct

In Kind Direct is turning detective to find our more about an unusual donation of thousands of  vintage millinery flowers.

The collection, which includes roses, rhododendrons, poppies, pansies and many more varieties, is attracting interest from milliners, museums, fashion schools and collectors. The flowers are still tissue packed in their original boxes in mint condition. There’s also a case of samples, sewn onto cards and marked with the price in pounds, shillings and pence.

The flowers came from the stock of Louis Bund who sold trimmings and novelties from his premises in London’s Ramillies Street until the late 1970s. He and his wife came to England before WWII and many of the flowers were imported from eastern Europe.

 “We don’t know how old the flowers are,” says In Kind Direct’s chief executive Robin Boles, “but they definitely pre-date 1971 when decimal currency was introduced. We sense there’s a fascinating story attached to them and are very keen to hear from anyone who can help throw light on their history.”

The flowers will be offered to charities in In Kind Direct’s network which includes art therapy and theatre groups and there are plans for an event in aid of In Kind Direct with a vintage fashion theme.