Uma Thurman, Laurence Fishburne, Donna Karan and Donald Trump are among the celebrity clients of event designer Preston Bailey. Now everyone will be able to appreciate one of his amazing arrangements.
He's one of six world-renowned artists to have his work displayed in Macy's Herald Square as the "Bouquet of the Day."
Bailey's bouquet will be more like a pineapple patch. From Friday to Sunday, his 8-foot-tall faux fruit will be on view in the main aisle.
"I love the idea of what the pineapple represents," Bailey says. "It's a symbol of hospitality. And I love the graphic-ness of the sculpture."
To re-create the spiky skin of a pineapple, Bailey bought 3,200 sunflowers to choose from. He estimates that 800 will be used for the tropical fruit (pictured at right).

The crown of leaves that tops it is made with 10 4-foot-long palm leaves, and foam and wire form the pineapple pedestal."Because of the detail work and the timing, it takes at least eight of my people," Bailey said. "It takes them two days to sculpt it, then they have to get the right flower sizes, put them on."

A band of beetles about a foot long will surround the plump pineapple. Different colored orchids will bring the ladybugs to life. "Some ladybugs come in yellow and black, and others in orange and black," Bailey says. "So those are the colors that we're going for."
Born in the tropical paradise of Panama, Bailey has always been inspired by vibrant colors and organic shapes. At 19, he came to New York City and began working as a fashion model, later opening a men's clothing boutique.

When it closed in 1980, Preston started creating floral arrangements for people who live on Park Ave.

After several years of building his reputation as a distinguished designer, he met entertainer Joan Rivers, who asked him to produce her daughter's wedding. That propelled him into the celebrity event-designer world, where he's known for his floral masterpieces.
Bailey's other famous clients include Liza Minnelli, Matt Lauer and Bill Cosby. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas are regulars. "Whenever they come to New York, we go to their home and set it up with flowers for them," Bailey says. "[Catherine] loves peonies."

He has done several celebrations for Oprah Winfrey. "For her 50th birthday three years ago, we did the entire stage," Bailey says.
"Oprah's a lady that loves flowers. So we went a little bit crazy with these flowers on the stage and the background - all roses and peonies, very soft romantic flowers."

For a taste of his work, check out Bailey's bountiful pineapple.
For those of you who'd like to dabble in designing centerpieces, here are the secrets of bouquet buff Preston Bailey.

1. Get your flowers three days before the event. Most take at least that long to open.
2. It's important to change the water daily so the flowers last as long as possible.
3. Always buy seasonal flowers to save some money. That way, they don't have to take a plane ride before reaching you.
4. Buy flowers that have longevity. Certain orchids can last up to two weeks. You might end up paying a little bit more, but they'll last much longer. Roses are also ideal if purchased at the right point.
5. Always buy flowers when they're closed, not yet opened, and you will have them longer.
6. Avoid getting different types. It makes for a prettier display if you get bunches of the same thing. It makes a better display and looks prettier.
7. Keep flowers in a cool environment. Once they're cut, they don't like the sun anymore and will open and die faster under it.