BY NOW YOU ARE A FLEURS DE VILLES PRO, WITH 4 TORONTO SHOWS UNDER YOUR BELT, AND MOST RECENTLY A NEW YORK SHOW. SO JEANNA, WHAT’S NEW WITH YOU?

I’ve loved participating in Fleurs de Villes with my business Happy Fairy Art, which began my artistic journey and where I built a strong foundation in flower preservation and event design. Now, I am stepping into a new chapter under my own name, Jeanna Jane Chua, to focus on sharing the story of my artistic evolution.

Through my new Instagram account and website, I share how I strive to achieve my dream art goals as quickly as possible, while learning from inspiring, well-known designers along the way. Every lesson and piece of wisdom I gather shapes my own unique approach to art and design, reflecting a blend of creativity, determination, and passion.

While Happy Fairy Art remains my whimsical platform for flower preservation, art workshops, and creative expression for people of all ages, my new brand represents a deeper commitment to showcasing the grit and heart behind my designs. By embracing a no-gatekeeping philosophy and sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others while honouring the Chua name and representing Markham, Toronto, and Canada with pride.

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WHAT FIRST SPARKED YOUR PASSION FOR FLORAL DESIGN?

I’ve always been creative, even as a child, constantly crafting and making things from scratch. My journey into floral design began with resin art. Initially, I started making coasters, teaching myself through YouTube. One day, a client asked if I could preserve her flowers, which led me into flower preservation. This evolved into creating meaningful pieces, like wedding bouquets and memorial florals, allowing people to cherish their memories forever.

However, I always had a deep desire to create art with real fresh flowers. To pursue this, I attended the Toronto Flower School, where I learned how to care for and work with fresh florals under the guidance of an amazing teacher, Mary. This experience allowed me to finally do what I had always dreamed of - making art with flowers.

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WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWERS TO WORK WITH?

I love working with wax flowers for fillers, and tulips, which transform beautifully when opened. Delphiniums are another favourite because of their tall, whimsical look. Ranunculus, or Persian buttercups, are my absolute favourite for their delicate shape and vibrant colours. Sweet peas are great for their whimsical appearance, and proteas and orchids add structure and elegance. I also enjoy using unique, rare florals to bring a fresh perspective to my designs.

HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPATING IN FLEURS DE VILLES INFLUENCED YOUR APPROACH TO FLORAL DESIGN IN OTHER ASPECTS OF YOUR BUSINESS?

Absolutely! I’ve learned how important prep work and strong mechanics are. Fleurs de Villes has pushed me to think outside the box and create designs that truly wow people. Now, I bring that same energy into my business—ensuring my designs are not only unique but also have that “wow” factor that surprises and delights my clients.

I’m so grateful to have Fleurs de Villes as part of my art journey. It has given me the opportunity to express myself in ways I never imagined. Every time I work on an installation, it fills me with a burst of creative energy.

When I’m in my element, creating and bringing my vision to life, I feel completely at peace and deeply connected to my artistic side. It’s also taught me to balance intuition with preparation — something I’ve always found challenging. My creative process is typically spontaneous; I let the materials, textures, and colour palettes guide me. Fleurs de Villes has helped me refine this process while staying true to my unique style.

Being part of Fleurs de Villes has been one of the most rewarding and transformative experiences of my life. I’m incredibly thankful to work with Tina, Karen, and the team. It’s an extraordinary part of my journey as an artist, and the renewed energy I gain from Fleurs de Villes inspires me to bring that same passion and creativity to my event design and flower preservation business.

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WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE FLEURS DE VILLES SHOW SO FAR?

My favourite Fleurs de Villes show has to be the most recent one in New York City this past October at Hudson Yards. I was invited to travel from Toronto to create my first-ever female mannequin, which was an exciting challenge. The theme was to capture a modern, fashionable outfit of someone walking the High Line. I researched current New York trends and worked hard to create a piece that felt authentic and on par with the incredible designers in the city.

The experience was made even more memorable by the incredible installations throughout the show. They featured a wicked Halloween theme at Edge, the top floor of Hudson Yards, showcasing classic villains crafted from fresh and dried florals. The creativity and uniqueness of these pieces was truly breathtaking, demonstrating just how versatile floral art can be. Working in the same space with so many talented designers was another highlight. The energy in the workspace was exciting, artistic, and full of hard work.

This show was a dream come true, as it was my first opportunity to travel for my art. Meeting talented designers and creating a chic outfit complete with a fur jacket, boots, and accessories made it an unforgettable experience. I even bought a little Hudson Yards snow globe to commemorate the trip, reminding me that dreams can come true if you keep pushing and believing in yourself. That’s why this show holds a special place in my heart.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE WHEN WORKING WITH FLOWERS AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THEM?

One of the main challenges I face is ensuring the longevity of the flowers — keeping them hydrated and fresh for as long as possible. Another challenge is getting flowers to stay in the desired position to achieve the perfect design. To overcome this, I rely heavily on good mechanics. Zip ties are my (and any designer’s) best friend! Along with chicken wire, floral foam, and water tubes, they help keep everything in place and hydrated.

Time management can also be tough, especially when balancing multiple orders. To handle this, I recently invested in two floral fridges, which I’ve set up in my home studio. This helps me store flowers at the right temperature, keeping them fresh and reducing waste.

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WHO INSPIRES YOU FROM THE WORLDS OF ART, FASHION, ENTERTAINMENT, OR DESIGN?

Several individuals have inspired me — Gideon Hermosa, Rachel Clingen, Preston Bailey, Nada Khairullah, Christian Frey, and Joezel Yumel. Gideon Hermosa’s extravagant floral designs first sparked my interest in large-scale installations. This led me to discover Preston Bailey, an iconic floral designer. Attending his PB Live workshop connected me with other inspiring designers, and winning an AI challenge gave me a short mentorship with him, opening my eyes to the endless possibilities of floral design.

Rachel Clingen’s stunning designs and humble nature inspire me to stay grounded while creating beauty. Nada Khairullah and her husband Ahmed have been incredible mentors, generously sharing their knowledge and guiding me. Training with her team in Washington D.C. was a highlight of my journey.

I met Christian Frey, a designer from Guadalajara, Mexico, at PB Live, and he later flew to Toronto to help with my first luxury event. His kindness and advice during this key moment meant a lot to me. Joezel Yumel, a fellow local Fleurs de Villes designer, provided invaluable hands-on support, staying late to help prepare florals for the same event. I’m so grateful for their help and the impact they’ve had on my career.

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WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL COLOUR COMBINATION YOU’VE WORKED WITH?

The most unusual colour combination I’ve worked with was for a wedding that featured purple, orange, green, and pink. At first, it seemed like a challenging palette to pull off, but I made it work while still keeping the overall look classy and pretty. I focused on using the pinks and purples as the base, incorporating some ivory and greenery to soften the overall design. I used the orange in small doses  as accents, to create a meaningful impact without overwhelming the arrangements. For this wedding, the colour choices had a sentimental value for the couple, so my goal was to honor that while still creating something beautiful and cohesive.

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COULD YOU OFFER A SNEAK PEEK INTO ANY ONE OF YOUR UPCOMING INSTALLATIONS AT FLEURS DE VILLES NOËL?

Well, you’ll just have to come visit Bloor-Yorkville this December 4-8! I’m working on two installations for this year’s floral trail, and my mind is constantly tinkering. I’m focused on creating pieces that are whimsical and inspiring, staying true to the style I’ve always loved. I can’t wait for everyone to experience them!