Florist Kirsty Noble had to put all her knowledge and skill to work when she was selected to design one of Princess Diana’s iconic gowns for Fleur de Villes ‘DIANA’ exhibition. The hours spent and the organisational headache was worth it though when she picked up the award for the most Creative Design. So what is it like to be part of the Fleurs de Villes experience? The Trade Club caught up with Kirsty to find out more. How were you selected? My name was put forward to the o

Strength & Stem is a London-based charity and social enterprise that uses floristry to empower female survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. Each year, 15 women take part in its trauma-informed programme, combining introductory floristry training, personal development, mentoring and supported work experience. The charity is currently looking for welcoming florists who could help participants practise their skills in a real workplace, build confidence and gain valu

‘What message will I be giving out if I wear this?’ Diana, Princess of Wales to Jasper Conran. The message given out at Fleurs de Villes World Premier of ‘DIANA’ was that the skill and artistry of the florist is very much alive and well. Fleurs de Villes are renowned for their floral exhibitions in cities around the world. In support of the Diana Award, this celebration of fifteen of Princess Diana’s most iconic outfits, meticulously reimagined in flowers, was set against the

Some mornings I wake up and feel like I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’ve been running ACME Floral Co. in San Francisco for 16 years. We have a thriving business. Our clients trust us with their events, weddings and weekly flowers. I’m not trying to be a famous florist, I’m perfectly content being a solid B+ designer who can dazzle most clients. And still, I stare at the ceiling and think: Is this the day everyone figures out I’m making it up as I go? Entrepreneurship

When you see a vase filled with rosehips, branches heavy with bright orange or red fruits, you mostly see atmosphere. What you don’t see is the patience, the soil, the bees, and two people who have been asking the same question for eighteen years: how can we make this fairer, more beautiful, and more reliable for everyone? Branko Petrovic (grower in Serbia) and Eric Stokman (selection and market in the Netherlands) are building Rosefruits together. “What we deliver is a livin

Master florist and Masterpieces ambassador Rieke of Milles Fleurs creates not only for weddings and events, but also for funeral and memorial services. In this article, she shares how she approaches this deeply meaningful work and what makes it so distinctive. Being a funeral florist is demanding, yet profoundly significant in moments of farewell. Flowers often play a quiet, yet essential role. My name is Rieke Rahlfes. I am a master florist and run my company, Milles Fleurs,

Have you ever thought about expanding your love and passion for flowers in a way that will bring joy to your local community? Hosting a floral design workshop is an excellent opportunity to gain new floral fans for your business, build relationships with future clients, venue networking opportunities, and ability to share your unique design style with your community. In this article, you'll find: Essential elements to consider How to host a successful workshop Building connec

From Miniature to Magnificence You can guarantee that London’s Garden Museum’s annual celebration of British Flowers Week will always produce not just floral abundance but thought-provoking installations from designers who have delved deep into the brief. UK-Grown flowers for Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter This year, they were inspired by the Museum’s exhibit of the life of artist and gardener Cedric Morris. If his name is not familiar, some of the flowers that he grew may

Celebrating Chelsea Flower Show success – and it didn’t cost them a penny. There is more to Chelsea than just gorgeous blooms and perfect plants, an important part of the show is its educational element. That was certainly the message put across by the East Durham College whose student-led exhibit on the different types of tropism was a masterclass in design, execution and teamwork. Each year the RHS invites colleges to apply to be part of the floristry element in the Grea

Rachel Kennedy and Xue Wang explore the hidden chemistry behind photosynthesis and translate it into a floral story about energy, change, and renewal. Acacia Creative Studio will return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2026 for its fifth consecutive year, bringing a new installation that looks closely at one of nature’s most essential but often overlooked processes. Led by Rachel Kennedy and Xue Wang, the South Yorkshire-based floral design studio will present 'Chlorophyll:

What a way to kick off the flower show season with blue skies and sunshine on the first day of the Harrogate Spring Show. A champion of floristry and flower arranging, the Floral Art Pavilion, one of the shows biggest draws, was buzzing with visitors appreciating the variety of floral artistry on view. The Pavilion was also the shop window for northern floristry colleges to show off their skills, and they took full advantage of it. College Successes All the floristry students

Competing has such an important role to play in developing floristry skills, so it was very encouraging to see the high standard and number of entrants in the Floral Art Pavilion, one of the main visitor attractions at Harrogate’s Spring Show. Congratulations to everyone who put so much thought, work and effort into their competition pieces. Not everyone can win, but the knowledge and experience gained, wherever placed, is invaluable. ‘Floral Couture – Masquerade’ First place

Karen Barnes explains what continuous professional (and personal) development can do for you and your floristry career.

Cheshire based sustainable flower grower and floral artisan, Kathryn Cronin of Fierceblooms, is celebrating her tenth year anniversary this year. Passionate and dedicated, she is constantly looking for interesting uses of flowers and foliage and new innovations in sustainability, all of which are instrumental in advancing professional floristry. ‘My aim is to be able to convey the incredible standard of professional floristry at places such as RHS shows to the members and w

If you’re looking for the creative inspiration and technical expertise to take your wedding floristry to the next level, then put this date in your diary. 4‑Day Wedding Floral Workshop: 8th – 11th June 2026 Led by internationally acclaimed floral designers Max van der Sluis, Per Benjamin and Vincenzo Antonuccio, this four-day training programme offers expert tuition and the insider knowledge to craft high quality wedding bouquets, centrepieces and installations with confide