Industry experts
give advice about Floristry
A range of influential florists gave us their top tips on
how students and graduates can go about getting a career in Floristry.
Laura Leong has over 20 years’ experience; from studying
floristry at college, working as a retail florist, demonstrating at various
shows and teaching floristry.
How did you enter into floristry?
At eighteen I worked full time as a retail florist whilst
studying floristry one day a week at college, but an early success in a
competition gave me the real taste for the industry.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I won Chelsea Florist of the Year in 2013 which was a real
dream come true and for many florists is something they aim for – so I was
overwhelmed with this! I went to Belguim to decorate a room for the Fleuramour
event at Alden Biesen so that was pretty exciting, and a rare and valued
opportunity for a UK designer.
Do you have any motivational words for people aspiring to
become florists?
Try to get a range of experience within different types of
businesses so you can understand all aspects of the industry. Practice a lot;
start creating a portfolio of all your work so that you can showcase this in
interviews. Alongside studies I would advise to get industry work experience to
enhance your knowledge and allows you to get a taste of the industry.
Joseph Massie is one of the UK’s youngest creative florists
using fresh flowers, plants and botanical materials. At nineteen he won the BFA
Young Florist of the Year.
How did you get into floristry?
At aged fourteen I managed to get a Saturday job in a local
flower stall in Liverpool, within 6 months I knew I wanted to learn how to
design with flowers. It all started from there!
What achievement are you most proud of?
I think that the personal achievements I am most proud of
would be the five consecutive RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals, and the
accompanying four Best in Show Awards are also incredibly special to me. I have
been very lucky throughout my career in that I have had so many amazing
experiences around the world.
Do you have any motivational words for people aspiring to
become florists?
My very best advice to someone who is looking to become a
floral designer is to really invest in your education, and not just in the floristry
skills and techniques. I think a great designer can draw inspiration from
almost anything, and translate that into their own style. I’d encourage new
designers to seek out floral design courses that suit them and their learning
ability, visit galleries and exhibitions, immerse yourself in good design books
and dive into the industry. I think in life what you get is what you give, and
that mantra has always held true for me.
Jonathan Moseley has become one of the UK’s leading
designers within the floral art world; being a NAFAS demonstrator he has
aspired and entertained audiences and individuals with his love of flowers
through demonstrations, workshops and classes.
How did you get into floristry?
I have so many young memories of playing with flowers and
having a great love of working and designing with them. From thirteen I worked
in a flower shop and the passion has remained with me ever since.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I was very proud of demonstrating at the Chelsea Flower
Show, which is seen as the greatest flower show in the UK. Then designing the
annual floral extravaganza which is Florabundance at Chastworth each year; I
plan it with military precision and it utilises a florists essential skills of
engineer, sculptor, designer, delegator and diplomat!
Do you have any motivational words for people aspiring to
become florists?
Remembering that there are many paths that can be taken
within floristry, but it is strongly allied to fashion and trend so always be
ready to appreciate new ideas. You have to be multi dexterous in so many areas
and able to cope with exceptionally long days, be warned Floristry does take
over your life!
If you would like to know more about what the
florists had to say, visit Country Baskets
