Susan Avery Florals — Dove × Messina Creamery, Bondi Beach

Over two weekends, we worked with Reborn on the Dove × Gelato Messina collaboration at Bondi Beach — a small installation that called for restraint from the outset.

The brief was straightforward: create something that sat comfortably within the space, felt aligned with the product, and avoided unnecessary detail.

The gelato flavours were drawn from Dove’s exfoliating body range — brown sugar, oat, and warmer fruit notes — which set the palette. Caramel and soft neutrals formed the base, with ruby and violet introduced quietly for depth. Nothing sharp or competing. The beach light carried much of it.

We used a mix of fresh seasonal material and dried elements to introduce texture and movement. The intention wasn’t to create a centrepiece, but something that felt natural to move through. Arrangements that held their position without calling for attention.

The installation was structured as a series of moments rather than a single focal point. Guests moved between product, gelato, and activations, with the florals working in the background — linking the space without interrupting it.

The balance felt right.

The space held energy without feeling crowded. Fragrant, but not heavy. Worth noticing, but easy to be in.

Everything was prepared in our Sydney studio and installed on site with care. Needless to say, every day was packed with visitors.

Photography: Charles McKean for Susan Avery.