Paper Poppies at Alcova Milan
The Finished Installation for Sister by Studio Ashby
After sharing the process of creating the paper poppies in my previous post, I’m thrilled to finally show them in their final home.
This spring, I had the honour of creating a large handmade paper poppy bouquet for Sister by Studio Ashby’s “Speak Back” installation at Alcova Milan 2026.
The flowers were carefully packed and shipped to Milan, where the Studio Ashby team installed them as part of their beautiful debut at Alcova.
Portrait of paper flower arrangement at Alcova Milan, by Milo Hutchings.
Arriving in Milan
The flowers were carefully packed and shipped to Milan, where the Studio Ashby team installed them in a stunning vintage Murano glass vase. Placed in the atmospheric setting of Casa delle Suore at the Baggio Military Hospital, the vibrant reds, deep blues, creams, and golden yellows bring a wonderful sense of life and joy to the historic, weathered space.
It was incredibly special to receive the installation photos (shot by Milo Jack Hutchings) and see how the poppies interact with Studio Ashby’s new furniture, lighting, and textiles. The colours sing beautifully against the aged walls and soft natural light.
Reflections
Seeing the poppies finally installed feels like the true completion of the project. From the initial reference rug that inspired the colour palette, through the meditative hours of hand-painting and fringing stamens, to this final moment — it has been such a rewarding journey.
The contrast between the delicate handmade paper and the grand, raw venue is exactly what I hoped for. The bouquet feels both bold and gentle, full of movement and personality.
A huge thank you to Sophie Ashby, Laetitia, and the entire Studio Ashby team for this beautiful collaboration and for sharing such lovely photos of the installation. It was an honour to contribute to such a soulful debut at Alcova.
Paper flower arrangement at Alcova Milan, by Milo Hutchings.
This project has been one of my favourites to date. If you’d like to follow more of my process and projects, subscribe to my newsletter or get in touch about available works and commissions.