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Rhinebeck, up in Duchess County, New York, has always been a florist’s town. It was known as the “violet capital of the world” at the turn of the century, with its gardeners carefully cultivating millions of the purple flower to ship to women in New York and Philadelphia, who wore them on the lapels of their dresses. (During Easter, demand was so high the freight train from Rhinebeck was nicknamed the “Violet Express.”) In 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt wore a Dutchess County violet corsage to the inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Nearly a century later, that history lives on in Rhinebeck resident Ariel Dearie, who has arguably emerged as the floral artist of our time: she’s made arrangements for fashion houses like Loewe, Michael Kors, and Bvlgari, as well as cultural institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frick Collection. Her clients and collaborators also include Annie Leibovitz (for whom she made an elaborate, flora-inspired sword for their induction into the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris last March), Sofia Coppola, and Marc Jacobs.
For Vogue’s December issue, guest-edited by Jacobs, photographer Stephen Shore—who also lives in Rhinebeck—captured Dearie’s painterly work against unassuming settings around town. Below, his images, as well as Dearie’s guide to Rhinebeck. “In Rhinebeck, you’ll find a really lovely walkable village and tight-knit community with great restaurants and cultural offerings—while also being just a few minutes to beautiful nature,” she says.
Where to Eat
“One of my favorite places for an afternoon/evening hang with friends (and kids!). It’s a farm, brewery, tasting room, and pick-your-own-flower field with picnic tables and great weekly pop-up restaurants.”
“A lovely tasting room and garden just outside the center of the village. They make their own cassis from locally grown black currants and serve it alongside delicious snacks and cheeseboards.”
“Excellent Indian cuisine made from high-quality produce, seafood, and meat in a cozy space.”
“Daytime bakery and cafe in the center of town. Everyone who works here is super sweet and they have a great spicy green egg sandwich.”
“A quaint, old-fashioned sweet shop with the best coffee in town.”
Where to Shop
“Irwin Garden A sweet jewel box of a shop, packed with flowers, found treasures, and all things botanical.”
“A mainstay for great books, author talks, and other literary events.”
“On Sundays you can usually find me here. Some of my favorite things are the wood-fired breads and pastries from Sparrowbush Bakery, Mei s Dumplings, and the array of fresh local produce, cheeses, and seafood. The weekly farmer s market has also become a sort of de-facto community gathering place on Sundays.”
“Midweek, I like to head over to Montgomery Place Orchard Farm Stand. It’s slightly outside of Rhinebeck but worth the trip for a bounty of beautiful local produce, specialty items like ramp pesto and apple pies, and the best homemade jams.”
What to Do
“Great arthouse cinema with excellent programming and director talks.”
“A beautiful house museum and grounds perched atop a bluff overlooking the Hudson River. One of my favorite places for a riverside stroll or picnic.”
