|
|
 |
On The Level With Neville: May 2011
Putting the Design Back in Floral Design |
|
Written by Neville MacKay
|
When I first started in the floral industry, I was fortunate to be mentored, tortured and trained by a master floral designer. (I also had feathered hair and platform shoes). She not only showed me the most up-to-date styles and methods of design, but also spent time explaining how things were done years ago. I learned how to stuff dirty wet moss into wreath frames, how to use dagger fern, chicken wire or vermiculite to fill a vase, and when to use clay to secure flowers.
We live in a time of constant change, and yet we still go back to the old ways, don’t we? Wire is now “contemporary” and putting moss and/or soft clay in a design is more a decorative addition than a mechanic. I love seeing newbies gleefully explaining their newfound discovery, when it’s something us more “mature” designers have done for centuries. Remember “feathering” carnations or making a glamellia? I saw what we called a “Dutchess rose” being shown by a young designer, who called it “a modern composite flower suitable for today’s contemporary bride.” I gotta tell you, I threw up a little on that one.
I was talking to Fred Caillie, our Waterdale rep, the other day. Fred is a wonderful floral designer, and has been in our industry for a long time. He was saying how we’ve hurt ourselves with our evolution, and I totally agree with him. I’ve been saying this for years, as the Martha wannabes have been creeping up around us with all their DIY projects. So many places that don’t sell flowers or have a florist on staff offer fresh pieces for events, and they don’t always do a good job, which makes us all look bad.
Fred suggested that we go out and get 10 people off the street, give them all the same vase, and each the same bouquet of flowers. More than likely, seven of them will do an alright job. Then give the same group a dish with fresh foam and flower – I bet you there won’t be three that will do a job worth looking at. Doesn’t that get you thinking?
Fresh flower foam was only invented in the ’50s, and it revolutionized our industry. Since the birth of fresh foam, we’ve been able to design creative pieces in new and modern ways, and the labour was cut significantly with weddings, where so much had to be wired. After this invention came new adhesives, containers, and other tools and accessories: all glorious things to make our lives better.
I watched throughout the ’80s and into the ’90s how bridal bouquets went from full and cascading in foam holders to more and more simple hand-tied clusters or clumps. Gosh, it got to the point that all one needed to do was grab a handful of roses and wrap them with an elastic band. For those of us who aren’t “I just do this for friends between trips to bingo” people, it’s hard to justify any amount of labour charge for this sort of bouquet, isn’t it?
I know, vase arrangements are less labour intensive, cheaper to do and faster to produce for many in our industry. They often are so generic that even the flowers looked bored. I’m thrilled when I see a creative vase arrangement instead of another “seasonal mix” of flowers all plopped in a vase going in every direction, as it looks like a floral design and not like committee work gone wrong.
Thanks goodness floral foam is making a comeback. Fresh floral foam is our friend, and when properly used will help us climb back to the top of the designer pile once again. Let’s face it, you know as well as I do that the most talked about pieces you’ve ever done you’ve probably made in foam. Sadly though, so many of us have either forgotten how, or have never learned how, to properly use fresh foam. Let it absorb water on its own. Don’t hold it under water like you’re drowning an old lover! Use fresh water with floral food dissolved in it and keep the foam well watered. Don’t push and pull out stems from the foam; just one insertion per stem. Keep at your staff and co-workers, so they know and remember these key points.
It’s hard to keep up with what’s in or out, what’s new and what’s crap, but we have to in order to keep up with everyone else. If you can Google or flip a page in this magazine, you can improve your skills. Don’t be afraid to ask either. Lots of florists call, e-mail, nag, drop in or message me on Facebook looking for ideas or advice, and I’m thankful we can share our talents. It’s up to us to improve and elevate floral design back to an art form in our communities. Now, go in peace, the mass has ended.
|
|
|
