Step into a dreamscape where haute couture intertwines with horticulture, and fantasy blossoms in every corner. This summer, the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens in Las Vegas unveils Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer—a transformative exhibit that redefines luxury through an imaginative fusion of fashion, flora, and folklore. Running through September 7, 2025, this seasonal installation invites guests to escape the chaos of the Strip and wander through a whimsical, botanical reverie.
Created under the visionary direction of designer Ed Libby—Bellagio’s longtime floral artist and collaborator—the exhibit is an ode to maximalist glamour and Renaissance-inspired surrealism. Libby, renowned for his extravagant event installations around the world, brings a theatrical elegance to every detail. His inspiration for Glam Menagerie was drawn from the opulence of European court life, the layered visual language of haute couture runways, and the fantastical worlds of artists like Dalí and Bosch. The result? A floral fantasia that is part fashion show, part enchanted garden.
The exhibit showcases over 20,000 fresh blooms, curated and arranged with precision by Bellagio’s talented horticulture team and floral artisans. Flowers are flown in weekly from around the globe, including Ecuadorian roses, Dutch hydrangeas, and orchids from Thailand. Among the floral varieties visitors will encounter are lush peonies, exotic anthuriums, cascades of wisteria, and velvet-like celosia—all woven into a living tapestry of color and texture.
Centerpieces of the exhibit include towering moss-draped giraffes adorned with jeweled eyes, marble-inspired oversized chess pieces rising from manicured hedges, and a golden carousel with couture-clad fantasy animals. Arches made of roses and ivy lead guests through a series of vignettes that feel like stepping into a fashion editorial shot in Versailles. Twinkling chandeliers hang from trellises. Couture gowns, crafted from silk petals and organic materials, drape mannequins that seem to float amidst the greenery.
The emotional response from visitors is nearly universal: awe, serenity, and joy. In a city known for its constant motion and bright lights, Glam Menagerie offers a much-needed pause—a place where the senses can rest and the imagination can roam. The soft scent of blooming jasmine, the whisper of water features, and the delicate rustling of leaves create a multisensory escape that feels both indulgent and grounding.
“The Conservatory is a canvas,” says Libby. “We wanted this summer’s installation to evoke wonder, but also to remind visitors of the elegance of nature—and how beauty, when paired with intention, can be transformative.”
Guests often linger, not just to capture the perfect photo, but to bask in the atmosphere. It’s a popular stop for art collectors, fashion lovers, and wellness travelers alike—people who don’t just want to see Las Vegas, but feel something within it.
Whether you’re a returning admirer of Bellagio’s famed gardens or a first-time visitor seeking something extraordinary, Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer is this season’s must-see. More than an exhibit, it’s an experience—where couture becomes nature, and fantasy becomes real.