For over 100 years International Women’s Day has celebrated the achievements of women worldwide and the struggle for gender equality. This year, the theme is #Balanceforbetter to continue the fight for a gender-balanced world.
This worldwide celebration of women is a very important matter for us at Your London Florist. Typically, within floristry, there is the stereotype of ‘roses are red, violets are blue’ and being a florist is the easiest job in the world…wrong.
We wanted to explore the ‘behind the scenes’ of floristry, to prove that women can do all the heavy lifting, messy duty jobs and that it isn’t all about pretty bouquets and beautifully presented arrangements.
For generations a woman’s ‘place’ was at home and not at work, however through years of protests and the determination from women, it has been established that a woman can have both ‘brains and beauty’.
Behind the scenes at Your London Florist is a team of talented, strong, and empowering women who embrace the day to day challenges of floristry. From loading a van full of heavy arrangements, climbing ladders and carrying extremely heavy buckets, our florists know how to get the job done.
To collectively celebrate the empowerment and equality of women for International Women’s Day, we’ve put together a montage of the amazing and talented women who make up our team here at Your London Florist. Each and every one of these ladies are a credit to our business and deserve to be celebrated, not only on International Women’s Day, but all year round.
Migle
Favourite inspirational quote:
“Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty and persistence” – Colin Powell
What is the most challenging thing about floristry?
The hardest thing is by far the unsociable hours you have to work. However, being with my amazing team of crazy colleagues is the best way to spend that time!
What do you love the most about floristry?
There are a couple of things really. On a professional level having my own business means I get to try new things out in our studio. I want to give my florists the best environment to add their own creativity to their work. This is a dream come true. On a personal level, you can’t beat the level of joy that comes from your clients when they complement your work and give great feedback. It makes me so proud!
Bianca
Favourite inspirational quote:
“Without hard work nothing grows but weeds” – Gordon B. Hinckley
What is the most challenging thing about floristry?
The most challenging thing I would say is personally dragging myself out of bed at 4am to deliver corporate flowers throughout London. However, it’s worth it in the end.
What do you love the most about floristry?
What I love most is stepping back and seeing a finished design whether it’s a wedding, hotel vase, some floral flamingos or simply a pretty bouquet. Saying I made that…that’s what I love.
Violeta
Favourite inspirational quote:
“It’s the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important” – The Little Prince by A. De Saint – Exupery
What is the most challenging thing about floristry?
Making sure you understand everyones strengths and weaknesses to ensure people have the perfect jobs to do most suited to them and that they still enjoy the process.
What do you love the most about floristry?
I absolutely love “requests” out of our comfort zone, where we need to do some planning and research beforehand. I also really enjoy working in a big team and meeting all the creative people. You need to be a little bit crazy to be a florist but I wouldn’t change a thing!
Karen
Favourite inspirational quote:
“Whatever you are, be a good one” – Abraham Lincoln
What is the most challenging thing about floristry?
Being so passionate that you eat, sleep and breathe flowers.
What do you love the most about floristry?
It is ever changing. It is so fulfilling when you can bring a vision that someone has to life.
Melita
Favourite inspirational quote:
“You must do things that you think you cannot do”
What is the most challenging thing about floristry?
Learning something new every day
What do you love the most about floristry?
Love the result of a hard day’s work
