Houston, October 2025 – In Houston, the city where Selena Quintanilla gave her final and most iconic performance at the Astrodome in 1995, the Queen of Tex-Mex came back to life. This time, not through music, but through flowers. Floral designer Nina Paternina stunned audiences at the Houston Symphony’s tribute concert La Flor: The Music of Selena with a breathtaking floral sculpture that recreated the singer’s legendary purple jumpsuit.
The tribute unfolded as part of the annual symphonic celebration of Selena’s legacy, an event that gathers thousands of fans. For Paternina, it was the perfect moment to bring a long-held dream to life. “The symphony honors Selena every so often, and I thought this was the ideal stage to pay tribute through my art. That purple jumpsuit is more than an outfit – it’s a cultural symbol that proves Selena lives on across generations,” she said.
Selena’s symbolic power
For Nina, Selena represents more than a musical idol – she is proof of what talent and perseverance can achieve. “Selena is the representation of hard work taking you to places you never imagined. As a Latina in the United States, I identify with her deeply. She grew alongside her family and inspired millions of people in every branch of the arts,” she explained.
That personal connection influenced every detail of the piece. Red roses, Selena’s favorite flower, cascaded through the design. “Whenever I include red roses in my work, I think of Selena. This time, they absolutely had to be there,” Paternina said.
The creative process
The designer spent sleepless nights imagining how to turn flowers into the jumpsuit that became a cultural landmark. “It took me over a month to conceptualize and to find the exact shades. In the end, we decided to use a mannequin and stitch carnation petals one by one until we got the fitted texture I wanted,” she recalled.
The final sculpture featured 600 purple carnations from Colombia to create the jumpsuit and 1,000 red roses from Ecuador forming a cascading base, honoring Selena’s most famous hit, Como la Flor. Painted grass gave texture to the hair, while each petal was sealed with a special adhesive to keep the piece intact under stage lights for the two-day exhibit.
The build required 18 hours of painstaking floral work and four hours of on-site installation. Paternina worked with three assistants, chosen for their meticulous eye and patience. “It wasn’t just a technical challenge, it was emotional. I knew thousands of eyes would be on this piece, and it needed to capture the love the community still feels for Selena,” she said.
Audience reaction
The public’s response was overwhelming. Lines formed as concertgoers waited to take photos with the floral Selena. Social media quickly filled with selfies and snapshots of the piece, amplifying the tribute far beyond the concert hall.
“People always ask me: were you the one who made Selena out of flowers? I say yes, but inside I just feel gratitude for being allowed to bring her to life in this way,” Paternina admitted.
The most emotional moment came when Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister, stopped to admire and photograph the sculpture. For Paternina, it was the ultimate recognition.
A career milestone
The project marked a turning point for the Colombian floral artist. “It was the first time I was entrusted with a floral sculpture of this scale. Being chosen by the Houston Symphony, and being chosen as a Latina, was a tremendous honor,” she said.
Beyond the artistic impact, the work was a technical education. The durability of flowers under heat and light, the logistical complexity of transport and assembly, and the pressure of an international stage added layers of learning. “I discovered there are no limits when you work with passion and detail. This project gave me the confidence to dream bigger,” she added.
What’s next
Already, Paternina is thinking ahead. She hopes to create similar tributes for future cultural icons. “There will soon be a symphonic tribute to Juan Gabriel, and I’d love to honor him through flowers too,” she revealed.
Asked what distinguishes her work from other floral designers, she doesn’t hesitate: “I’ve never been afraid of color or texture. I grew up surrounded by color, and for me there are no strict rules in design – only the goal of creating something truly memorable.”
Selena’s legacy, in flowers
If Selena could see the tribute, Paternina says she would want nothing more than to hug her and thank her for her legacy. “I don’t know what she’d say, but I would hope she liked how she was represented,” she said softly.
While the sculpture was dismantled after the concert, fans can revisit the creation and explore Paternina’s work through her Instagram, @amordelbuenoflowers, which serves as her creative portfolio and gallery.For Nina Paternina, the floral Selena was more than an installation. It was a bridge across cultures and generations, a way to show how art can transcend genres, mediums, and eras. “Selena lives on in the memory of her people. I just provided the flowers to remind everyone of that,” she concluded.
