Florist News

Hey i have recentally been asked what makes a designer florist, what is it and who benifits from them. This has really got me thinking as anyone could claim to be a designer even if they arrange flowers themselves and have no qaulifications?!If someone understands please inlightin me as im getting confused and fustrated that the years of college to become a florist has been a waste of time?! Please help!

Hi Joanna, as far as I'm concerned,any florist can call her/himself a designer florist, or a florist that creates bespoke work, if your work is good, creative or unique, maybe Ian will answer this question,I think he says he is a designer florist.

I think the term "designer florist" is used too much where it shouldn't be!!!!!

My opinion of a "designer florist" if there is such a thing, are people who create bespoke designs and those who are the forefront of their profession with techniques and flowers. They can set/predict trends and don't follow them.

Floral art and floral design cannot be taught, I believe everyone can be taught the basics, however it is the individual's creative talent and eye for detail which makes a normal florist into a "floral artist" You can't learn this at college, however you can be taught the basics of floristry and build upon this. If you can afford to go on a course in a high end flower school in London you will see the difference between the two, however if you are confident in your own ability, and can "create" then I think the floristry industry needs you!

Those people at the forefront of their profession continue to evolve and embrace new ideas, examples of these are Jane Packer, Paula Pryke, Rob Van Helten, Mathew Dickinson etc etc. There are plenty of "high end florists" who charge a premium, not only for their designs, but their quality of flowers and eye for detail.

I find that there is a lack of independant florists with an eye for detail and too many florists who simply bang the flowers in some paper with a ribbon on and call it art.

You can have a good quality florist who is good at their job, but an increasing number of people will pay the bit extra for creativeness and quality of product. You can still still create art for ?15 an item/bouquet in my opinion, however this isn't readily available, and I am unsure if the general public actually understand and appreciate real floral art, as opposed to what they can buy from M&S/Interflora.

Just my opinion though

Thanks for replying. This has helped me out a great deal! I understand what your saying and i agree with you. I have worked in two florist shops. The currant shop i am now in is amzing comppared to the other one. The designs, flower quality and effort are all so much better and we give a good image of designers not florists who wrap flowers in a piece of cellophane that isnt even cut right!
Thanks again x

Hi
I should draw your attention to Kelly's response who has anwsered the question very well. I find it hard to belive that a the term designer florist has caused you some confusion. There are lot of designer shows and conferences etc that discuss current and forthcomming trends in floristry, maybe these would be of benefit!!!!

i do not like the way you seem to joke about my question.

Hi Joanna

I was not joking about your question and obviously I was not out to upset you. Your question is a vailid one. My response was amimed at the response!!! you received from flowerfairy. I objected to their statment that "maybe Ian will answer this question,I think he says he is a designer florist". I read it as very off hand and unfriendly.

Regards
Ian

Hi Ian, I had noooo intentions of upsetting you, what could I possibly gain? I did floristry for 10 years before I introduced myself as a florist, mainly because I didn't feel confident enough, once I was experienced in every field, then I called myself a florist. Don't throw your toys out of the pram babe, I truly meant no harm, I also wanted to know what experiences designer florists had apart from what florists do, I'm not talking about jane Packer etc. are you still mad with me?

Hi

Thanks for your reply,

I hope we can now draw this misunderstanding, on your part, to a close. Thankfully you are now completley clear and hopefully enlightened regarding said difference between a florist (like yourself) and a Floral Designer (like myself). Howevere, I don't fully understand why you are asking the question again when Kelly Andrews reply clearly defines the difference?

Take Care

It's still an interesting question and perhaps one that will never be answered to everyone's approval.
I've often wondered when i see the phrase 'fastest in the world', 'best in the world', or likewise, there should be a phrase in brackets after it which says "out of all those people that have entered this particular competition, recognising that there may be persons unknown who do not have the time, inclination or opportunity to enter, who may well have similar or greater talents"

A bit like when i sat at the dinner table and asked my children "who is the best florist in the country?" to which they replied "you are dad!". So now i can say that "in a recent survey....."

I do believe that there a a great many 'florists' who fall into the category of 'designer florist' purely because they are capable of producing something unique and what is important "saleable" but due to the need to earn a living and provide whatever it is that joe public requires on the day, simply do not have the opportunity to get involved in the competition circuit to achieve national recognition within the industry.