Recently · October 3, 2026

Forty Years of Barbara Bates. A Boxful Art of Roses.

A presentation piece from our studio, commissioned by Saundra Warren for the designer's 40th anniversary runway show at the Obama Presidential Center.

Barbara Bates on the runway holding a blush box of red and pink roses by Modern LUXE Flowers
Barbara Bates carrying the Modern LUXE Flowers piece (the blush box) at her 40th anniversary show, Obama Presidential Center, Chicago. Photo courtesy of Saundra W.

On October 3, Barbara Bates walked the runway at her 40th anniversary show at the Obama Presidential Center. In her arm was a blush Boxful Art piece from our studio.

Saundra Warren, a personal friend of Barbara's, asked Jo to design a presentation gift for the milestone. Jo built it in red and hot pink roses, packed tight and rounded, framed with plum palm fans and deep green foliage. The box carries one detail: "40th," set in magenta.

The pink was chosen on purpose. Barbara has spent years raising money and awareness for breast cancer screening, and the evening supported the Barbara Bates Imaging Center at Sinai Chicago, which bears her name.

She founded her label in 1986, a self-taught designer from Chicago's West Side. Four decades later she is still dressing the city and still giving back to it.

It was her night. We were honored to send flowers into it.

Red and hot pink roses with plum palm fans in a blush box marked 40th