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Alpine Meadow Cuff from
Fitz Designs
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The prom industry continues to grow every year, bringing with it more business potential for Canadian florists. To tap into this potential, florists must offer cutting edge styles in prom corsages and boutonnieres. This generation of customers has money to spend, and wants to see something different – something other than grandma’s corsage! So what trends can you offer them to make them choose your shop?
Jewelry
The largest trend in prom styles this year is keepsake jewelry built into the corsages. Girls “get” jewelry, even from a very young age. Girls spend money on jewelry. Let them spend it at their local florist! The Fitz Design products (www.pioneerwholesaleco.com) all feature a patented platform that allow florists to glue their corsage onto the platform, then after the prom, dance, or wedding, the platform is removed (by cutting two ribbons), leaving the girl with a keepsake bracelet, necklace or arm cuff. This makes the perceived value of the corsage much greater, without adding much cost to you as the florist (some of the beautiful Fitz Design flower bracelets wholesale for almost the same price as the traditional elastic wristlets!) Greater perceived value, without increased cost of material means greater profits for you! Florists – get used to being jewelry sales people! Have a designated “jewelry” area in your store. Use a piece of black velour fabric and some jewelry display racks to show off all of the great flower bracelets, anklets, arm bands and necklaces that you will be offering. The biggest trends in floral jewelry this year include:
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Floral necklaces can make an
outfit one-of-a-kind.
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- Corsage Cuffs – The cuff style of bracelet is popular everywhere in
fashion this year, so it is no surprise that it is popular in flower bracelets too!
- Floral Necklaces – Build a corsage that adorns and drapes around the neck using the floral necklace with removable platform.
- Chunky Beaded Bracelets – While delicate pearls and rhinestones reigned in years past, the chunky, trendy style is queen of this year’s prom season. The Gumdrop style from Fitz Design is extremely popular due to its low cost and versatility – the girl can wear the two piece bracelet later with just about anything – including her favourite pair of jeans!
Alternative Body Corsages & Accessory Adornments
- Arm Corsages - Arm corsages based on arm cuffs like the Athena from Fitz Design or corsages that start at the wrist and wind up the arm using decorative wire from Berwick Offray are hot this year! If you haven’t created this type of design before, Google “arm corsages” to get some fantastic design ideas.
- Ankle Corsages – This year many of the prom dress styles are shorter than in previous years. Therefore, ankle corsages are gaining popularity. Whether using an anklet from Fitz Design, or the band-aid technique that has become so popular, the girls like to show off their decorated ankles! Be sure to offer this popular design!
- Accessory Adornments – Many florists are reporting excellent results when offering “purse corsages” or “shoe corsages” – flowers that can be attached to the girls’ accessories.
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Kara's Kisses add bling to a bloom.
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Butterflies and Dragonflies – Whether in the form of a large corsage base design with Deco Wire, a delicate Kara’s Kisses crystal butterfly added to the center of a flower, or intertwined along the cuff of the Alpine Meadow flower bracelet, butterflies and dragonflies are the decoration of choice this year.
- Colour - In years past, many of the prom girls preferred black dresses. But not this year! It’s all about colour! Bright yellow, aqua, apple green, and hot pink are all popular in different areas. Metallics are huge. Stop in at your local dress shop to see which colours are most popular in your area.
- Bling - If it sparkles, if it shines, the teen shoppers want it! Laser Leaves from the Milton Adler company make great bases for corsages. Kara’s Kisses with crystals from Fitz Design add shimmery accents to corsages and boutonnieres at affordable prices. Dig into your winter inventory and find some glittery accent pieces. You will be amazed at what will sell just because it shines!
Prom is no longer just a small event – it is rapidly becoming its own season in the floral industry. Plan for it as you would any other season. Feature it as you would any other season. Market it as you would any other season. Offer the latest trends to your customers, even if the trends seem unusual to you. Remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and what your teenage customers see as something they are willing to spend money on may be something you never thought would sell! But you will never sell something that you don’t offer.
For more prom marketing tips, see the “60 Days, 60 Tips Prom Marketing Series” at http://pioneerwholesale.wordpress.com.
(Photos courtesy of Fitz Designs)
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