Nitty Valentin, Floral Designer, South Coast, NSW

Tell us about yourself and what you do?

Hey, I am Nitty. I own a wedding, events & workshop floral business on the South Coast of NSW, named “Follow Your Nose”. I am a studio-based florist and I am lucky enough to be able to create ‘Native Chic’ florals for the special moments in my clients lives, I also get the chance to surround myself with the most beautiful people when I organise and teach my floral workshops.

Why did you decide to begin floristry?

I have always been a lover of gift-giving and as time went on, I really enjoyed picking up a bunch of flowers to add to every gift I was giving, eventually I became interested in individually choosing the florals at the shop & putting them together myself (they weren’t good haha, but I liked the idea of it!) I then found myself at a flower-workshop and from there the desire turned into passion and after attending two more workshops, I was hooked. I signed up for the next available course and basically the rest was history. I became so infatuated with all things florals and knew this is what I wanted to do!  

What’s your creative process?

That’s a tough one, for me creating becomes one big mess. Most people would probably walk into my studio and feel extremely overwhelmed. But, I promise there is a method to the madness. Basically, I like to write out what I will be making and annoyingly, I probably write out my lists 10 times before I am comfortable with what I am about to create. Once my lists are written, I must have at least one work table completely clean so I can lay everything out that I am going to use. Then I get to creating. Sometimes I start and everything falls into place naturally. Other times I have to make a bouquet, pop it in the fridge & come back to it in an hour later to make sure I like the way it is sitting. I am guilty for over thinking things and remaking them, but most of the time, if I don’t 100% love the way it is looking, I would rather start fresh so it looks the way I want it to. A lot of the time, as a florist there is a client-brief to follow, but over the years I feel like my style has really begun to shape the clients I attract. I am generally drawn to all Native flora, but I find ways to add softer flowers/foliage’s to give it more of a romantic look.

A fun fact about yourself?

I am a part time disability companionship worker & have the pleasure of assisting the most beautiful human in his day to day activities. It has been the greatest honour & biggest accomplishments of my life. I never knew the feeling of truly caring for someone with every ounce of my being until I was blessed to meet him and be there for him. 

When or how do you feel most inspired to create?

I am most inspired to create once I have had the chance to organise myself and declutter my thought space, allowing me to be fully immersed in what I am doing. I love over cast days because I get all cosy & creative and don’t feel like I am missing out on the going to the beach. I also hate feeling hot when I am creating, so a nice cold day is perfect for the creative mind. 

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I was introduced to the words “Native Chic” by a lovely gal-pal who came to do some work with me recently. She described my work as Native Chic and ever since I haven’t stopped using it. I think native florals often get quite a masculine point of view, so I love softening them by adding some more romantic florals to the overall look. I am also very attracted to warm, autumn colours and will always flock straight to them at the flower market.

A word of encouragement for Beginner Flower Designers?

YOU GOT THIS!!! Don’t be afraid to dive into your own personal style, avoid spending too much time comparing your work to other florists and just follow your own rules. There is no right or wrong, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you will attract others who love your style and what you do. Ask your fave floral-babe to let you come and do some work experience so you can build that confidence that is burning inside you and never ever let anyone tell you you’re not good enough! Let your work speak for itself!

Who are some other florists who inspire you?

There’s actually alot, my local area has some of the most incredible florists in the world and if you are lucky enough to get flowers from them than I am sure you have held pure magic in your hands. Some of my faves are: Film and Foliage, Gypsy Carmen, Emily Nicole Florals, Lady Gnarbo, Fleurescent.

What kind of flower brings you the most joy?

I really love Flowering Gum, when it is in season I think I nearly cause car accidents when I slow down, admiring its beauty. They look like bright fireworks on trees and they are just the most beautiful texture. I am also very well known for throwing a King Protea in most of my bridal bouquets, they are definitely a show stopper!!!

What do you hope to achieve in 2021?

I hope to run frequent workshops once we move into our new house & build my new studio!!! (top secret - heard it here first, haha) I also hope to organise a mini retreat sometime this year for all my flower enthusiasts out there!!

You can find more of Nitty’s work here:

Follow Your Nose Instagram

Follow Your Nose Workshops Instagram

Chloe Lashay, Floral Designer, The Patch

Tell us about yourself and what you do?

Oh man, that's a hard question.

I'm a bit of strange one, personally. Most days I look like a heavily tattooed Courtney Love after a big weekend, I brush my hair for special occasions though. I've seen some things, been through some things. None of which I'm ashamed of, it’s all made me who I am today, someone I'm proud of. I'm a fur mum to Chuck, Primrose and Ruby and I talk to them, my flowers and my plants more than humans. I live in my version of a big tree house in the beautiful Mount Dandenongs where I also have my beautiful studio.

Professionally, I'm a self proclaimed Floral Alchemist, alchemy being a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination. I think flowers are magic and when I'm designing and creating I always feel as though I'm making floral potions.

I specialise in weddings, events and milestone made to order these days and also freelance for some pretty amazing floral rockstars. I'm also currently managing The Little Flower Shoppe in Montrose with a heavy focus on embracing local makers and up and coming floral designers.

Have you always had an interest in flowers?

Always, always, ALWAYS! Flowers deeply resonate with me and I find them and their life process applicable to so many facets of life and being. My belief system is in Mother Nature, I've always practised earthing, consciously or not, and I have always envisaged myself as a metaphorical flower, whether I'm blooming, wilting, growing, self seeding, struggling in an environment or at my most vibrant self.

What inspired you to begin Chloe Lashay Flowers?

Alan Watts. An incredible writer and speaker. I listened to one of his lectures called 'What if Money was No Object' at a time where I was really unhappy in a corporate role and a bit lost in my career orientation. Everyone should listen to it. I thought to myself, what do I really love? What really makes me happy? Nature, beauty, flowers, giving, bringing others joy. I realised that's a job! I can be a florist! A week later I quit my corporate job and enrolled in a floristry course. Eight years later and I've never ever looked back. Even during the toughest of times.

What kind of flower brings you the most joy?

Local field grown Ranunculus. I LOVE them. They're all so unique and beautiful, the colour range is stunning but not overpowering. They're heavily textured and kind of odd, some even look like a flower inside a flower. I love them, just on their own too.

What’s your creative process?

My space has to be a certain way. I need beautiful scents, candles, oils, music, my art, my treasures and privacy. I like to have a reference point to begin with and then just go with the flow. Creative control is my favourite. I prefer to work at night too. There’s something calming about the moonlit hills at night. So quiet and peaceful. Just me and my flowers.

Are there any other floral designers that inspire you?

Oh mannnn, SO MANY! Naomi Rose, Eleventh Flower, The Flower Drum, Debbie O'Neil, Francis Floristry, Ponderosa and Thyme, Sassafras Wedding, Foxy Evergreen, Boutierre Girls, Clementine Posy, Elsa & Gray... I could go on forever.

Tell us about the most memorable event you can think of in your career?

Attending and flowering the wedding of two of the most amazing women I've ever known. Michelle and Rhonda. Michelle is a powerhouse and loud voice for women's rights. She has and always will be a mentor and friend to me. After same sex marriage was legalised (THAT was massively memorable too, I was engaged to my partner of the same sex at the time) they got to legally marry each other after 17 years together. It was an absolute honour to be there and to contribute and I've never ugly cried so hard in my life. Also my first hard copy publication in Dancing With Her of my dear friends Leah and Erica's wedding. Very close to my heart and a real milestone for me professionally.

Any music, artists, books, that you’re loving right now?

Music is HUGE for me in every facet of life. My play lists are ridiculous, one minute its Black Sabbath, the next it's The Velvet Underground, the next its Two Feet, the next its Bishop Briggs. Lately I've really been feeling Halou, Sol Seppy and Aurora. Soothes the soul. Dromsjel is my ultimate all time favorite artist. I just finished The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F@$k, loved it. Next is The Celestine Prophecy. Ive tried to start it about 5 times. Fingers crossed for number 6.

Favourite weekend activity?

Well my weekends when its not a Global Pandemic are usual Monday and Tuesday because of events and now that I'm running the shop its really only Monday. But Facetiming my sister and baby angel niece and friends who I'm missing, spending time with my fur children, wandering around the fresh spring I'm blessed to have across the road and my guilty pleasure, watching true crime documentaries. Actually any documentary.

How has COVID affected the floral industry, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this?

It's been horrible to be honest. For the whole floriculture industry. We've been lucky enough to be able to operate at some capacity with made to order and contactless delivery and for the small increment of time in Melbourne when limited gatherings were allowed, its been good for florists doing dried arrangements which have become a trend again, but for those in fresh florals, events and weddings it's been devastating. Most of us lost a year of annual projected income and work in a week. Not to mention how heartbreaking it is for our couples and clients who have been planning celebrations for so long. Some are having to postpone for the second time for us in Melbourne. Some have cancelled altogether. Its incredibly sad. For the florists, venues, designers, beauty industry, hospitality, the entire wedding and events industry. Funerals have been really hard too. Its difficult to express the deep sadness of delivering bereavement flowers to ten people and a live stream camera.

The only positive I have found is that it has created somewhat of a 'community over competition' mentality. We're all in the same boat. We're all equally effected. We're all in the same space for once. A bunch of us all had to go on Centrelink benefits for the first time since trade school. It's very surreal. Its so important to be supporting each other at the moment.

Top tips for surviving lockdown?

Don't take self isolation literally. Don't shut off from the world because you're confined to a space or area. Don't isolate your mind.

Stay connected to your loved ones, be kind to yourself and others, keep your space nice, calming and comfortable, stay local, buy local, send care packs if your in a position to do so, do things you've never had time for, use your time on your devices looking for positive and inspiring content, promote local businesses, be honest about how you're feeling, cry if you need to, scream it if you have to, reach out if you're not coping, help others if you are. Remember, its NOT forever. 

Every flower must grow through dirt.

You can find more of Chloe’s work here:

Chloe Lashay Floristry Instagram

The Little Flower Shoppe Instagram

Website

Lacie RZ Porta, Flower Preservation Artist, Framed Florals, New York

Tell us about yourself and what you do?

Hi! I'm Lacie, I'm a flower preservation artist based in Brooklyn, New York! Being a flower preservation artist means I press flowers the old school way in a flower press, and frame them in handcrafted wooden frames! I love being able to save memorable flowers and preserve sweet and significant moments in time through flower pressing and framing!

Have you always had an interest in art and pressing flowers?

I definitely have! Ever since I was little I remember wanting to be an artist, author, or a book illustrator. All through elementary, middle, and high school I was always very creative and loved drawing, painting, ceramics, and anything art focused! I didn't think flower pressing would become my medium of choice, but when cleaning out some boxes from my childhood bedroom I recently found an old notebook that had pressed flowers and petals in it! So whether I knew it or not then, it would be the artistic medium that has had the biggest impact on my life!

What inspired you to begin Framed Florals?

It wasn't until a year after my wedding that I really felt super inspired to start Framed Florals. I did have the initial spark after my wedding, when my husband and I were taking our flowers home and we weren't sure what to do with them. I felt inspired to press them, and frame them, and I loved the way it turned out. A year later, I came back to my original frame and knew that there was just something there. I wasn't able to find an artist working in a minimal way with pressed flowers so I had the idea to launch Framed Florals! If I was searching for something that didn't exist, I was sure there were other people who would love it too!

What kind of flower brings you the most joy?

SO many! I think the flowers that bring me the most joy are the ones I have my own special memories associated with. Dogwood flowers are a personal fave because they remind me of spring days in Brooklyn, Coral charm peonies make me so happy because they are just so bright and happy, and Astrantia flowers make me SO happy because they remind me of the first big project I got hired to do with Framed Florals!

What’s your creative process?

My creative process starts from the pressing process. Taking the arrangements, centerpieces, and flowers apart and separating into like elements and colors helps me envision how the final frame will come together. When dried and pressed I love setting everything out and picking the stems that initially stand out to me based on color, shape, and size. From there, tweezers in hand I'm moving flowers around, changing layouts, and envisioning the original flowers and their vibe, and trying to capture that in the composition. 

Are there any other artists that you're loving right now?

My favorite flower artist is my friend Ron Nicole! Her work is so ethereal and such a beautiful take on flower preservation. We both launched our businesses around the same time and bonded over our shared love of florals and preservation! Her flower fossils and molds are so inspiring and a joy to see pop up on my Instagram!

Tell us about the most memorable event you can think of in your career?

The most memorable event that instantly pops into my head was recording a video for Buzzfeed! I brought my collection of pressed flowers to the Buzzfeed studio and on camera shared my story, inspiration for starting, and a lot of behind the scenes for flower preservation! It was such a cool experience to be able to chat flowers and arrange pressed flowers on camera and see the video come together in real life!

Any music, art, books, that you’re just generally enjoying or drawing inspiration from?

I love it ALL! I find the most inspiration from artists who work in mediums other than flowers. I love compiling a playlist of songs in a playlist every season that I'm really info, and I play that on loop all month long. The songs are always random and vary from Built to Spill, Leon Bridges, Talking Heads, to Queen, Cautious Clay, and Blood Orange. I've been reading a ton and my favorite book I read this month was "The Poet X" by Elizabeth Acevedo. It's written in verse which is so beautiful to read, and I couldn't put it down once I picked it up!

Favourite weekend activity?

Visiting an art museum followed by a drink at a favorite brewery!

How has COVID affected the art industry, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this?

COVID has hit every industry hard, and the art industry is no different. I think for a while things came to a complete halt, I know personally I felt icky promoting my work knowing there was so much pain and hurt going on in the world. Also any artists who work in the events world, with in person events stopping that hurt them a lot. It was really hard all around. But I think things are slowly switching and the arts industry is picking back up in a way because with everyone spending more time at home, they're realizing the art they display and what hangs on their walls is so important. Supporting small makers is more important than ever and I hope that slow switch is something that continues. We need art, creativity, and more beauty in the world now more than ever!

Top tips for surviving lockdown?

Lean into the way you're feeling that day! At first I was getting so down on myself for having really hard and sad days when I accomplished little to nothing. The kinder I am to myself and lean into those hard days, the better I feel in the end. Life outside of work has been really fulfilling, I've been doing community cleanups in my neighborhood, organizing with a new "free food fridge" in my community, and mentoring high school students. And those things really do bring me SO much joy, and so if I'm having a hard day and don't accomplish much I remember all the other things that make me happy and lean into that!

You can find more of lacie’s work here:

Instagram

Website

Shannon Cullen, Posie Project, Melbourne

Tell us about yourself and what you do?

We create all sorts of special blooms to help spread happy. We will be opening a store In September. It will be homewares, pamper/self care goods, blooms both fresh and dry, with a DIY flower bar. We will also offer take away coffee, because caffeine right!!??

Have you always had an interest in flowers?

Yes, I have loved flowers foreverrrrrr, but never thought I would be doing them for myself, pinch me!!!

What inspired you to begin Posie Project?

My Hubby and I got married in December, I chose to create and style our celebration myself. This really got my love for dry flowers bursting! I loved every minute of creating the magic! I am actually a hairdresser by trade, and chose to close my home salon doors with lockdown part one in the three weeks we were closed, I created blooms to spread to others, the idea was so well received. This is how Posie was born.

What kind of flower brings you the most joy?

The Flower that brings me the most joy is the Freesia! Their strong smell brings me right back to my childhood in the Garden with my Grandad, every time I smell them it's like I am right there again. Sadly he passed when I was still very young.

What’s your creative process?

I am a visionary, I like to picture things and then bring it to life. Sometimes this does change as I go along. Are there any other florists that inspire you? I absolutely LOVE Flowers by Brett Matthew John and Nikau.Flora - both use such incredible tones and texture!

Tell us about the most memorable event you can think of in your career?

Well I am very new to this, I don't have a most memorable yet, I am just hugely grateful for all the moments of the Posie ride so far!

Any music, artists, books, that you’re loving right now?

Always on repeat, Ziggy Alberts, Meg Mac, Vera Blue, Odette, Angus & Julia Stone - you get the vibe. Artists - Jai Vasicek - he can do no wrong! and I am loving Booie and Ben’s florals! I am not currently reading a book (all awake time is going into biz), but I had started reading one book a month this year! I loved Eggshell Skull, I found it hard to get into and then could not put it down!

Favourite weekend activity?

Creating flower arrangements haha, and exploring our local backyard - which normally ends with me carrying a toddler and filling her pram with foliage from the bush. *get out and walk!

How has COVID effected the floral industry, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this?

I think I am right in saying it has been nuts! Every flower folk I have spoken to have said they have been so, so busy. I think it shows how important it is to help spread the love around. Flowers really do brighten lives, its a proven fact!

Top tip for surviving lockdown?

Fresh air, and focus on the positive! Aside from all the baddd Covid stats, I am grateful for the slow down to take a reality check.

YOU CAN FIND MORE OF shannon’S WORK HERE:

Instagram

Photography by Posie Project and Sigrid Peterson