“Everything in nature has form and value”
Gerrit van Aalst, a 22-year-old floral designer, works part-time at a flower shop and spends the rest of his time on various freelance projects. He also regularly participates in competitions. For example, he recently won the Dutch Junior Floral Art Championship and is now preparing for Eurofleurs Murcia 2027 in Spain.
“I work a lot with frames and mainly design frames that are cut out using a laser cutter. These frames can be used for a long time; they’re like a puzzle that you can easily take apart. That makes them not only sustainable, but also easy to store and transport.”
“Summer is one of my favorite seasons. There are so many different types of summer bloomers and cut flowers that are only available during this season. You can also use a lot of materials from your own garden. I was born in Ukraine, and back then I used to wander through my father’s nursery to gather the most beautiful materials for bouquets for my mother. I also love working with plants: with roots, stems, leaves, and of course flowers. Everything you see in nature has its own shape and value and can be used beautifully in floral arrangements.”
First edition of Floréda attracts over 500 visitors
The first edition of Floréda took place at Plantion in Ede from March 9 to 11, 2026. This new purchasing event for florists, garden centers, and market traders brought together suppliers, growers, and specialist retailers to showcase the current seasonal range of flowers, plants, and related products.
Joyce Brueren and Gerrit van Aalst winners of the 2026 Dutch Floral Art Championships!
On March 9 and 10, eight floral stylists competed for the Dutch Floral Art title. At the same time, seven young people competed for the Dutch junior title. Joyce Brueren (professionals) and Gerrit van Aalst (young talents) were crowned the winners of this prestigious professional competition. Both champions will represent the Netherlands in 2027 at the European Championships for professionals and juniors in Spain.
Signature Bouquets
Over the years, every floral designer develops their own signature style. Not a fixed formula, but a recognizable way of working: choice of materials, proportions, technique, and atmosphere. In this special edition, DPK Floral Magazine brings together DPK Floral Magazine selection of such signature bouquets: designs in which personal style and craftsmanship take center stage.
‘Keep your eyes open for new techniques’
Floral designer Hanneke Frankema believes it is important to continuously develop and innovate. That is why she is always open to new techniques and materials. For her, experimentation is not an end in itself, but a logical part of her creative process.
She has a particular preference for wire. "It's not for nothing that I'm called 'the iron lady'. Wire is a beautiful and versatile material, and it's also practical: frames and rolls of wire are easy to transport and reusable." In addition to wire, Hanneke is also enthusiastic about new technological possibilities, such as 3D printers and 3D pens. These techniques can be used to create virtually any desired shape, which allows for even more freedom in the design process.
The floral objects she creates are very diverse, but always striking and unique. Despite this wide variety, her signature style is clearly recognizable. She often works with unusual frames and surprising combinations of colors and materials.
‘I particularly like the contrast between natural materials and other materials. I also enjoy playing with unusual colors and shapes.’
‘My work is often quite feminine’
French florist Charline Pritscaloff expresses her passion for her profession in various ways. She has owned two flower shops for years, won prestigious awards, and holds various volunteer positions within the sector. Where does she find her inspiration? And how does she view developments within the sector?