Yinka Ilori Reimagines Bloomingdale’s in Colorful Blooms

Artist Yinka Ilori’s relationship with Bloomingdale’s began with a DM.

Noticing that the store’s fashion director of home was among his followers on Instagram, the U.K.-based artist decided to message her about getting his home product line into the store. That exchange sparked a bigger conversation that has bloomed into a large-scale collaboration for fall 2025.

The Bloomingdale’s fall campaign is themed “Just Imagine,” which taps into a sense of playful curiosity and creativity. “My universe is very much centered around cultivating and opening up space for play,” said Ilori. “That has always been my mission, my drive, and that’s why you’ll see lots of messages that encourage play and dreaming.”

For his largest commission to date, Ilori designed a floral-themed takeover of the 59th Street flagship’s windows and facade, and also brought his colorful visual language to the store’s interior retail spaces. Ilori’s vision comes to life through a dedicated “Cherish Your Magic” carousel pop-up on the store’s first level, a whimsical space that features sculptures and exclusive product collaborations featuring Ilori’s designs. There are Byredo perfumes and an Augustinus Bader face cream, as well as colorful knit sweaters, ping-pong sets, jewelry, kitchenware, and art supplies. Ilori also collaborated PlayStation for a capsule collection of clothing and accessories exclusive to Bloomingdale’s, and one corner of the pop-up is primed with gaming consoles and beanbag chairs, a literal invitation for play.

Ilori’s design approach is influenced by his Nigerian heritage. Growing up, he often noticed floral motifs in the textiles and fabrics that surrounded him in joyful settings: weddings, parties, church. “For me, the flower is a language of love and a language of immersion,” he said. “Something that you smell: you close your eyes and you transform into a different space and environment.”

His design theme for Bloomingdale’s is rooted in wildflowers, inspired by a trip to Central Park just a few blocks from the store. “I just remember being in awe of all the incredible, colorful flowers in the garden,” he said. “All the bees, all the birds, just the sounds in there — it felt like I was in another place. But I think that’s what nature does,” he continued. “I wanted to use that energy and that idea of using your imagination in nature, with flowers and other things around you, and hopefully inspire people to continue to imagine and realize their dreams.”

The collaboration and product assortment debuts on Saturday.

“[Ilori’s] wildflower-inspired façade and Cherish Your Magic Carousel takeover are not only visually striking, but also deeply symbolic — capturing the resilience, spontaneity and creative energy of New York City,” said Frank Berman, Bloomingdale’s executive vice president, chief marketing officer. “Yinka’s work reminds us that design can uplift communities and reawaken a sense of wonder, which is exactly the spirit we aim to share with our customers this fall.”