'Anything that exudes warmth and coziness'

In September, Chantal Post won gold at the Belgian Championships. ‘It was quite a tough competition. As an assistant to Stefan van Berlo, I had already participated in the European Championships in Poland, which in terms of style is really comparable to the Belgian Championships: challenging, exciting and full of positive stress.’

'The best thing about such a competition is the entire creative process - from the creation of the idea to the complete elaboration. I have learned a lot from my own experiments and from the coaching I have enjoyed in preparation. Exchanging ideas and experiences with internationally renowned florists is incredibly enriching, giving you a new and broader vision of the flower world. A chance to enrich my own style, develop myself further and delve even deeper into floral design - which now gives me even more passion for my profession!'

‘Christmas means time for the family. It is cold and dark outside, and then it is important to bring warmth and cosiness into the house. Christmas is also a time of traditions – which have only become more important after Covid. Red and green are more 'in' than ever. And also gold, copper and natural materials:
Everything that radiates warmth and cosiness.’

'A little exoticism should not be missing'

In September, Sören Van Laer won the inaugural Belgian Championship, entitling him to be called First Florist of Belgium. ‘It is a great honor to be the first to bear the title of First Florist of Belgium. This title is a true recognition of our profession as a florist. To be a good florist, you must not only master the floral techniques, you must also be creative, well-organized, and possess business acumen.
Together with my partner Aymeric Chaouche and supported by the team, we have worked hard to achieve this title. I am proud of my team. Together, we will continue to promote Belgium on the map in terms of floral art.’

In the run-up to Christmas, Atelier Sören Van Laer
steadfastly organizes a Christmas Open Door. 'Celebrating and festive decorating is in our DNA. We love purely natural materials such as pine branches, pine cones, pine needles, and berries. Classic shapes such as wreaths and stars belong to the Christmas tradition, but I also like to experiment with other shapes. Glitter and lights add a festive character to these creations. A little exoticism should not be missing either. Special
orchids or other exotic flowers and materials provide this.’

Luxury in harmony with nature

In the theme of 'Luxury in harmony with nature', connectedness with nature plays a leading role. The arrangers have often opted for traditional techniques and natural materials. The look is one of grandeur and exclusivity; festive yet understated, serene yet cozy and warm.

'Funeral arrangements can also be very colorful'

Florist Mélodie Mahin from flower shop La Mélodie des Fleurs in Libin, Belgium, was educated at the Institut Horticole de Gembloux. Together with ten young florists, she participated in the Fleur Talent! training project and regularly takes part in competitions in Alden Biesen and Beloeil. She also decorates weddings and parties and is renowned for her workshops and children's parties.

In addition to the daily colorful arrangements for her customers in the flower shop, farewell floral work also occupies an important place in Mélodie's work. ‘A personal farewell is the birth of a beautiful memory. That's why I would like to help to provide the most beautiful farewell possible.’

‘That can be an arrangement in very neutral colors, white and green, and with classic funeral flowers such as chrysanthemums. But funeral work can and may also be very colorful. There are also various possibilities in terms of shape. A flower cushion remains a classic, but I also like to opt for other shapes or for a combination of different small creations.’

'There is so much more than traditional decorations'

For floral designer Chantal Post, funeral arrangements represent a highly personal tribute to the deceased. 'The choice of flowers is often related to the character of that person. A conversation with the family ensures that you get to know the specific characteristics of the deceased, the sensitivities, the favorite flowers.'

'It is a challenge to make use of more or less known symbolism. As a florist, you can add more depth to your funeral work. For example, a cylinder is open at both ends, which is why this shape symbolizes the communication between two worlds: the physical world and the spiritual world.'

‘In this contribution, I mainly wanted to show different techniques and different forms of coffin decorations. There is so much more possible than traditional decorations. For example, I made a structure with paper coffee filters that gives the impression of a soft pillow. That creates a lot of possibilities. Moreover, the paper structure already has a voluminous effect in itself, so relatively few flowers are needed to create a large arrangement.’

‘Every flower and color has its own message’

Master florists Sofia Tavares and Marc Noël met while working in a flower shop. Together, they decided to start a flower shop and launched Moments Subtils in Bastogne, Belgium, in 2015. In June 2023, they opened their second flower shop, with the same name, in the center of Brussels. Sofia and Marc also find challenge in decorating events and participating in competitions. In September, they will both participate in the Belgian Floristry Championship.

The two have a passion for the beauty of nature and for flowers. 'For us, floral art is a language of flowers to convey all beauty. We find inspiration in a walk in the woods, in a city and its architecture, or simply in a flower or a moment of wonder.'

What is the meaning of funeral arrangements for Sofia and Marc? ‘Words can bring comfort, but flowers have the extra power to express emotions more strongly than words. For us, all flowers and all colors can be used in funeral arrangements, because every flower and color has its own message.’

Moments Subtils is the name of two flower shops in Bastogne, Belgium, and in the heart of Brussels.