The rose is very happening internationally. I do use it as a motif whenever I can, in my Indian creations or designs for brides. It's delicate and regal at the same time

Maria Rose Reine Louis traces the history of the intricately whorled blossom she is named after, which continues to be a designers’ delight.

My given name precluded the possibility of me ever escaping the significance of the rose…but as I grew older, I realised that its existence went beyond paying obeisance to me – the Queen of Roses! Universally embraced as the flower of love, the rose has been immortalised in song, poetry, art and design through centuries. And there is nothing more romantic than receiving blood-red roses from a cherished admirer. Among the lasting treasures I have accumulated, besides the ubiquitous fabric/garments decorated with roses, are rose brooches and earrings, a rose-perfumed red Swatch with a rose dial, rose table mats, and an audio cassette of Nat King Cole’s Ramblin’ Rose – but maybe there’s room for the long-stemmed sterling silver avatar from Frazer & Haws’ latest collection?

One of the oldest flowers known to humankind (according to fossil evidence, it is 35 million years old!), the rose was grown in profusion for its perfumed oil in Persia, where the petals were used to fill the Sultan’s mattress. In Kashmir, the Moghul emperors cultivated beautiful rose gardens…and the blossoms were strewn in the river to welcome them home. While in Rome, emperors filled their swimming baths with rose water and sat on carpets of rose petals for their orgies. Of course, the fact that poor peasants were reduced to growing roses instead of food crops is another story!

Whichever way you look at it, the rose is queen – adapting and reinventing the very essence of fabric design as it mutates and grows. This enduring symbol of romance cannot be ignored today, but only time can tell whether it will continue to rule the world or lose its crown due to overuse. Long live the Rose!