Joseph Massie is one of the UK’s youngest creative
florists using fresh flowers, plants and botanical materials. He has achieved
world-wide recognition and praise for his creative skill and inspirational
designs.
Jonathan Moseley has become one of the UK’s leading
designers within the floral art world; being a NAFAS demonstrator he has
aspired and entertained audiences and individuals with his love of flowers
through demonstrations, workshops and classes.
Tracy Rowbottom is a NDSF, lecturer and a designer
florist with over 20 years’ experience has built an enviable reputation based
upon her professionalism, inspiration, creativity and attention to detail.
Laura Leong studied floristry at college alongside
working in many stores as a retail florist, she has over 20 years’ experience
within the industry.
When and how did you
first enter into the world of floristry?
Joseph: I first started in floristry aged
fourteen having asked endless shops if they were hiring, I managed to gain a
Saturday job at a local flower stall. It was there that I started working with
flowers, and within six months, I knew I wanted to learn to design with
flowers. It all started from there, right from that a little flower stall in
Liverpool.
Jonathan: All my memories are of playing with flowers
from such a young age and having a great love of working and designing with
them. I worked in a flower shop from the age of 13 and the passion has remained
with me ever since
Laura: I started aged eighteen, I went to work full
time in a local shop as a retail florist and went to college one day a week
studying floristry. An early success in a junior competition gave me the taste
for it and I got ‘the bug’ for floristry competitions.
What achievement are
you most proud of?
Joseph: I have been very lucky throughout my career
in that I have had so many amazing experiences around the world. However I
think that the personal achievements I’m most proud of would be the five
consecutive RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals, and the accompanying four Best
In Show Awards are also incredibly special to me. Plus I have also got so many
fun memories and made so many good fiends through these competitions – I smile
every time I look at my medals.
Jonathan: I was extremely proud the very first time I
ever demonstrated at the Chelsea Flower show, which is after all the Greatest
Show on earth. Secondly (if I can have a second!) is designing the annual
floral extravaganza which is Florabundance at Chastworth each year. I plan it
with military precision and it utilises a florists essential skills of
engineer, sculptor, designer, delegator and diplomat!
Tracy: All of my RHS Chelsea Medals but particularly
my Gold Medal, which I won on my first visit to Chelsea as a competitor. My
theme was the bicentenary of Haiti the first black free state!
Laura: I won Chelsea Florist of the Year for
2013 which was amazing, a real dream come true! I also had a wedding collection
featured in the Fusion Flowers Wedding Magazine, this was a huge honour. I
went to Belguim to decorate a room for the Fleuramour event at Alden Biesen so
that was pretty exciting, and a rare and valued opportunity for a UK designer.
What advice do you
have for somebody wanting to pursue a career in floristry?
Joseph: My best advice would be to invest in your
education and not just the floristry skills and techniques. I would encourage
new designers to seek out floral design courses that best suit them and their
learning ability. Research the internet and visiting galleries/exhibitions for
inspiration, immerse yourself into good design books and dive into the
industry.
Jonathan: Remember that there isn’t just one path of
getting into floristry but that it is strongly allied with fashion and trend so
always be ready to embrace and appreciate new ideas and styles. You have to be
multi dexterous in so many areas and able to cope with exceptionally long days,
be warned Floristry does take over your life!
Tracy: Get the appropriate training and involve
yourself in the industry, be open with other florists and share information.
Laura: Yes try to get good diverse experience within
a range of different types of business, practice a lot, and go to college
alongside having industrial experience. Try floristry competitions it’s great
fun planning and designing and you learn lots from the experience too!
Lastly, Enjoy it! It’s a great trade and an honour to work
with flowers every day.
