Silk Flower Making Workshop and Landscape Tour

Silk Flower Workshop at Lyndhurst

An Experience of History and Handcraft

Join Fashion Designer, Kathlin Argiro, for an afternoon of discovery and handcraft. Learn the art of silk flower making in a workshop that bridges heritage and handcraft. Hosted in the Carriage House of one of America’s most iconic Gothic Revival mansions, this special event offers guests a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of fashion history, florals, and timeless elegance.  

This afternoon will start with a tour of Lyndhurst's Upper Landscape, including the Rose Garden and the Greenhouse structure. This tour will focus on the history of the landscape and what each subsequent owner of Lyndhurst did to contribute to the shaping of the property. You will learn about the gardens and the people, like landscape architect Ferdinand Mangold, who were responsible for their upkeep. 

Following the tour, the workshop will begin in the Carriage House with a brief history of M&S Schmalberg, the last silk flower factory in America, which has handcrafted luxury silk blooms for over a century. Then you will learn about Helen Gould, Lyndhurst’s beloved heiress, and the floral styles she favored during her lifetime—from romantic roses to heirloom-inspired blooms.

Following the introduction, you'll enjoy a live demonstration on traditional silk flower making techniques. You will then craft your own silk flower—inspired by the rich aesthetic legacy of Lyndhurst.

Each guest will leave with a handmade flower as a lasting keepsake of this immersive and elegant experience.

Important Information, Please Read:

Please be advised that the Upper Landscape tour requires long periods of standing and walking over uneven ground. Please wear comfortable shoes.

A limited number of tickets are available for each event, and events do sell out. 

Some tickets may be available for purchase on-site, but these are not guaranteed. 

Please arrive 15 minutes before the entry time on your ticket. If you are late, we will do our best to accommodate you, but we cannot guarantee it.

Check-in at the Welcome Center.

All ticket purchases are non-refundable.

A Grounds Pass is not needed if you already have a Tour or Event Ticket. 

Not recommended for children under 14 years of age.

This ticket does not include access to the mansion.

To best accommodate groups, including special needs, please contact us in advance to make reservations at 914-303-6844. 

Kathlin Argiro Bio

Kathlin Argiro is a fashion designer and educator. She founded her eponymous eveningwear brand in 1997, which was sold in over 500 top specialty stores worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s. Kathlin has since translated her success as a fashion entrepreneur into an innovative, experiential approach to fashion education, using fashion history as a cornerstone for teaching and mentoring emerging designers.

Inspired by the magnificent grounds of the Lyndhurst Estate and its benevolent heiress, Helen Gould, Kathlin has embraced slow fashion and dedicated her life to preserving the savoir-faire—   the handcraft and artisanal knowledge—of haute couture. She shares this commitment through educational workshops and historical tours of New York City’s Garment District.

Kathlin is an Adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and holds a BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design. A lifelong learner, she recently completed her Master’s degree in Global Fashion Management at FIT, with a focus on emerging technology. Her academic work includes leading high-profile projects for First Lady Michelle Obama and contributing to the Charles James student exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

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