Helen Florals Redefines Luxury Retail with Japanese Ikebana Workshops

Creative entrepreneur Erica Dias transforms CB2 in Houston into a sanctuary of intention through her brand Helen Florals.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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In Houston's Rice Village, creative entrepreneur Erica Dias hosted a Japanese Ikebana floral workshop at the CB2 luxury retail space, transforming it into a sanctuary of intention through her brand Helen Florals. The workshop, rooted in the centuries-old art of Ikebana, prioritized balance, minimalism, and thoughtful placement over abundance, allowing guests to engage in a grounding, immersive experience that honored culture, legacy, and storytelling.

Why it matters

This event highlights the growing demand for Black women-led luxury activations in cities like Houston and Atlanta, as experiential retail and intentional design continue to shape the future of brand engagement. Helen Florals stands at the intersection of culture, storytelling, and elevated community building.

The details

Under Dias' guidance, guests didn't simply design florals, they engaged in a grounding, immersive experience that honored culture, legacy, and storytelling. The event featured a seamless partnership alignment with brands like Seven Daughters Wine, Angel's Envy, Cash App, Vaseline, and more, complementing the atmosphere rather than competing for attention.

  • The event took place on February 16, 2026 in Houston's Rice Village district.

The players

Erica Dias

The creative entrepreneur behind the luxury experiential design brand Helen Florals, known for curating culturally intentional workshops and brand activations in Houston and Atlanta.

Helen Florals

A luxury experiential design brand founded by Erica Dias, inspired by her late grandmother Helen, that is known for curating culturally intentional workshops and brand activations.

CB2

The luxury retail space in Houston's Rice Village district where Erica Dias transformed into a sanctuary of intention through her brand Helen Florals.

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What they’re saying

“A Black woman teaching Japanese Ikebana inside a luxury retail space – that's expansion. That's alignment.”

— Erica Dias, Founder, Helen Florals (SHEEN Magazine)

The takeaway

This event showcases how Helen Florals is redefining luxury retail by creating immersive cultural experiences that honor tradition, storytelling, and community. As experiential design continues to shape the future of brand engagement, Helen Florals stands out as a trailblazer, blending luxury, intention, and representation.