Nico De Swert, Innovative Floral Designer, Introduces His Modern Designs in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM's Winter Collection

CARLE PLACE, N.Y., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS) , a leading multi-channel retailer, announces the addition of Nico De Swert, talented and inventive floral artist, to their team of Expert Designers this winter. Nico joins a stunning team that includes Preston Bailey, Jane Carroll, Julie Mulligan and Jane Packer.

When Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Valentino wanted to celebrate magical moments in their lives with flowers, they each turned to Nico De Swert for his artistic designs. Nico's floral arrangements have been said to "resemble the bustle of an haute couture evening gown, an art installation, or an abstract explosion of colors and textures" in order to perfectly align with an A-list celebrity's desired look.

"Nico is an innovative and highly regarded young designer," said Monica Woo, President of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM's Consumer Floral Brand. "We are proud to offer his distinctly modern and creative floral arrangements to our customers."

Quickly transforming into one of the most sought after creative talents in the world of floral artistry, Nico has the ability to create beautiful designs that are both uncommon and unexpected. Nico challenges his customers to see flowers and plants as a medium, much like fabric or paint, for creating art. Now, thanks to 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Nico's spectacular arrangements are more accessible than ever.

In "High Society," part of the bold Nico De Swert 2006 Winter Collection at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Nico combines lush 'Avalanche' roses and 'Prado' carnations accented with hypericum berries and stylish pearl pins all situated in a leather-textured tin vase. One of his most decadent arrangements, "Golden Sunset," is full of romance with 24 stems of exquisite 'Grand Prix' red roses and red hypericum berries elegantly arranged in a gold tapered vase designed especially by Nico and exclusively for 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. For "Exotic Romance," Nico arranges stunning bright red 'Chateau' carnations, vibrant pink 'Scarletta' carnations and deep 'First Red' roses in a specially designed vase inspired vintage botanical prints from the Plantin Moretus Museum in Antwer.

In addition to his work as an imaginative floral designer, Nico is also an accomplished author. Nico's first book, Living With Flowers, is a wonderful expression of his theory that the shape of a container dictates the shape of the arrangement and shows the relationship between the container and the flowers. Additionally, Nico serves on Modern Bride magazine's Advisory Panel and received the 2005 Trendsetter Award from the publication.

For more information on Nico De Swert and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, please visit the website at http://www.1800flowers.com/.

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM(R)

For more than 30 years, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Inc. -- "Your Florist of Choice(SM)" -- has been providing customers around the world with the freshest flowers and finest selection of plants, gift baskets, gourmet foods, confections and plush stuffed animals perfect for every occasion. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM(R) offers the best of both worlds: exquisite, florist-designed arrangements individually created by some of the nation's top floral artists and hand-delivered the same day, and spectacular flowers shipped overnight "Fresh From Our Growers(SM)." Customers can "call, click or come in" to shop 1-800-FLOWERS.COM twenty four hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-356-9377 or http://www.1800flowers.com/. Sales and Service Specialists are available 24/7, and fast and reliable delivery is offered same day, any day. As always, 100 percent satisfaction and freshness are guaranteed. The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM collection of brands also includes home decor and children's gifts from Plow & Hearth(R) (1-800-627-1712 or http://www.plowandhearth.com/), Problem Solvers(R) (http://www.problemsolvers.com/), Wind & Weather(R) (http://www.windandweather.com/), Madison Place(R) (http://www.madisonplace.com/), HearthSong(R) (http://www.hearthsong.com/) and Magic Cabin(R) (http://www.magiccabin.com/); gourmet gifts including popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory(R) (1-800-541-2676 or http://www.thepopcornfactory.com/); exceptional cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl&Co.(R) (1-800-443-8124 or http://www.cherylandco.com/); premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May Confections Brands(R) (http://www.fanniemay.com/ and http://www.harrylondon.com/); gourmet foods from GreatFood.com(R) (http://www.greatfoods.com/ ); wine gifts from Ambrosia.com (http://www.ambrosia.com/); gift baskets from 1-800-BASKETS.COM(R) (http://www.1800baskets.com/) and the BloomNet(R) international floral wire service, which provides quality products and diverse services to a select network of florists. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. stock is traded on the NASDAQ market under ticker symbol FLWS.

About Nico De Swert

After graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Antwerp, Belgium-born Nico moved to New York City, where he lived and worked for the past seven years as an accomplished floral designer and interior stylist. His unforgettable floral arrangements have appeared in such leading magazines as Martha Stewart Living and Weddings, O, The Oprah Magazine, and InStyle. He is also the accomplished author of Living With Flowers, which showcases a spectacular array of inspired floral arrangements for the home. In the fall of 2006, Nico debuted a Home Collection consisting of upholstered furniture, tabletop items (vases, dishes, and bowls) and wall hangings that will be available in his own showrooms.