Phalaenopsis: Timeless Beauty
It used to be quite something to have a Phalaenopsis plant or stem in a store: they were exclusive and expensive. That has changed drastically since then. The Phalaenopsis has become a mass-market item and can even be found at Ikea and home improvement stores. The floristic approach has changed as well.
Summer: Fitness and Technique
This issue of Floral Fundamentals focuses on experimentation. International floral designers demonstrate how materials, structure, and technique come together in a variety of summer designs—from open table arrangements and circular compositions to sophisticated bridal arrangements and wearable creations. Each design starts with a clear concept and shows how you can create a strong, distinctive look using seemingly simple elements.
“Getting into the nitty-gritty”
“Wedding floristry is one of my favorite subjects. You can really go all out with the details. Of course, you have to listen carefully to the bride. It’s actually quite difficult to sell bridal work effectively. When I had a shop, I always tried to sell more than just the bridal bouquet. You have to buy all the flowers and materials anyway, so if you can sell some additional related items on the side, that’s obviously a nice bonus.
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Consider, for example, a ring pillow, which is a lovely addition to the overall bridal package. A bracelet or floral tiara for the bride, her mother or mother-in-law, or the bridesmaids are also great ideas.
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"For various bridal bouquets, I use a base created with a 3D printer or a 3D pen. You can create many different shapes with these, and the filament used is available in just about any color. It takes a bit of experimentation, but I always see some great possibilities."
“Vintage adds character and elegance to the bridal bouquet”
Aymeric Chaouche is a young French florist. He earned his master’s degree in floristry in Lyon, France. Because Belgium is renowned for its floral artistry and out of admiration for Belgian master florists, Aymeric decided to continue his career as a freelance florist in Belgium.
Together with Sören Van Laer, he founded Atelier Sören Van Laer. They began by organizing workshops, collaborating at events, giving demonstrations, and teaching, both nationally and internationally. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their activities in 2020, they decided to launch an online store. It quickly expanded with pop-up shops in Brussels and Bornem. Now, all their core activities are based in a full-fledged flower shop in the center of Bornem. Aymeric has a great passion for competitions. He has participated in EuroSkills and WorldSkills multiple times, and in 2022 he won the Belgian Junior Floral Art Championship.
“I draw constant inspiration from nature. I express my creativity through natural materials and enjoy experimenting with color combinations and shapes. I love browsing through flea markets and antique fairs—that’s where I find my inspiration. I also often buy vintage items there to incorporate them in innovative wedding arrangements.”
“An extra dimension”
What sets master florist Sören van Laer apart is his ability to try new things with existing materials, to experiment, and to put his own spin on them. “For bridal bouquets, it can be very meaningful to breathe new life into materials that hold a special memory.”
Sören studied horticulture and completed his training with a year-long specialization in floral design. At school, he mastered the most important basic techniques. During his internship with Geert Pattyn in Geluwe, Sören learned many new techniques. Together with his partner, florist Aymeric Chaouche, he runs a thriving flower shop in the heart of Bornem. In addition, Sören and Aymeric regularly host workshops for flower enthusiasts, teach florists, and decorate events.
“I incorporated elements with sentimental value into every bridal bouquet. They add an extra dimension to the bouquets.”
“The Bride in the Spotlight”
Seda Virabian, a floral designer of Armenian descent, has lived in Belgium since she was ten. “I’ve always loved flowers. I could spend hours looking at them, smelling them, and admiring them.”
In 2017, she launched a pop-up shop, which was an instant hit. This spring, she moved her shop to a new location in downtown Kortrijk. Seda organizes individual and group workshops and decorates store windows, parties, and weddings. Still, her dream remains to take on even more artistic commissions. “I hope that someday there will be a TV show for florists, which will lead to greater understanding and appreciation for our wonderful profession!”
For her bridal work, Seda draws inspiration from paintings by artists such as the Pre-Raphaelites, who highlight the beauty of women. Through floral crowns, Seda seeks to express a woman’s inner beauty. In doing so, she pays close attention to her clients’ floral preferences and personality traits. “Floral crowns can be a perfect alternative to bridal bouquets. The bride herself essentially becomes the bridal bouquet.”