Tell us about yourself and what you do?
My name is Youki, and I’m a florist based in the Yarra Valley. I’m a single mum to two wonderful children, and a mum of three businesses - Sugar Bee Flowers (wedding flowers), MIDNIGHT flowers and sharps (cute little retail store on main street Healesville) and Hamono Studios (Japanese knife wholesaler). I have been running my own businesses since 2009, which is when I was pregnant with my second baby.
Have you always had an interest in flowers?
Yes and no. Ever since when I was little, I always knew I loved colours. I would gather wild flowers and foliage, autumn leaves and different soils, and line them up on the ground in different combinations. I got into floristry when I got married and the flowers that arrived on the day were nothing like what I had asked for. It was actually a blessing in disguise, as it led me to the path of flower life.
What inspired you to open Midnight Flowers & Sharps?
When I took over MIDNIGHT flowers and sharps in April 2019, I was already into my tenth year of my wedding flower career and was looking for another creative outlet. At that time I had met a knife maker based in Japan, and he was looking for a way to distribute the knives all over Australia and New Zealand, and I thought what a wonderful way to incorporate the two (flowers and knives) while supporting other local artists and creatives who produce amazing, inspiring products!
What kind of flower brings you the most joy?
All seasonal flowers bring me so much joy and happiness. When I go into the market and see a new flower that has come into season, it makes my heart feel like it’s squeezed so hard that it might explode. Spring flowers especially gets me so excited - like Sweet Peas, Ranunculus, Andromeda, and Daphne.. oh my!
What’s your creative process?
All of my floral creative energy comes from seasonal flowers and colours. I often work to people’s preferences, so I make sure I listen to what people want and create that in the best way I can. Otherwise, if I have the creative freedom, then I will pick up my favourite flower (often a rose) and start building from there, taking inspiration from the shades of colours and seasonal textures.
Are there any other florists that inspire you?
Sarah Ryhanen from SAIPUA has always inspired me. Her combinations of colours and textures are just breathtaking, she uses seasonal flowers always, and has always been an advocate for sustainable floristry. I attended Sarah & Nicolette’s flower course in Sydney years ago and it was an absolute dream come true!
Tell us about the most memorable event you can think of in your career?
There are so many, from the gorgeous wedding styling that we have created, to the day that I took over the shop in Healesville, to the all-nighter at work I’d done with my staff to get ready for a wedding. But I think opening the workshop in Coldstream for Sugar Bee Flowers, and taking over the shop in Healesville are both fond moments for me. There were so much emotions - combination of excitement, joy, accomplishment, fear, anxiety, exhaustion... and everything in between!
Any music, artists, books, that you’re loving right now?
I have been immersing myself in a book called Gene Keys. It’s highly spiritual, and has given me so much wisdom. I think everyone should read it!
Favourite weekend activity?
At the moment we can’t really do much so I’ve been walking my dog A LOT. He’s never been this happy I don’t think. When we weren’t in lockdown, I would go out for dinners and try to spend time with friends, who inspire and motivate me to become a better person.
How did COVID affect the floral industry, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this?
Because there are no weddings and events, the wholesalers, growers and florist have though that we would be doomed.. but how we were wrong! Although we are not using as much flowers as we would in weddings or events, many florists have become extremely busy with bouquet deliveries. People were sending flowers to their family, friends and loved ones to cheer each other up, and I feel like I have been immersed in people’s kindness throughout COVID.
When COVID hit, there was a time import flowers weren’t coming in, which then made us florist rely on the local growers. I cant speak for growers who always work very hard, but I think it would’ve been a fantastic thing to happen, for buyers and some wholesalers to realise the value of locally grown flowers. We really couldn’t do without the local cut flower growers and I hope all florists continue choosing local flowers over imported flowers.