At the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney in August 2024, returning florist Lana Lichman (Bloom & Brush) created a showstopping floral mannequin inspired by India for Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE. In this month’s Rendez-Vous, she shares her lifelong passion for floral design, offering readers a glimpse into her creative journey. From crafting stunning floral installations to launching workshops, she reflects on her favourite flowers, industry inspirations, and advice for those eager to enhance their floral skills.

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WHAT FIRST SPARKED YOUR PASSION FOR FLORAL DESIGN?

I grew up in my grandma’s garden making flower fairies from her best garden roses and snapdragons. Love of flowers was always there for me, but what really opened my mind to floral design was the first professional florists competition I visited in 1995 in Kiev, Ukraine. I was amazed by the original thinking and interpretation by participants. As soon as we moved to Australia I went to study floristry and never looked back. 

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WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER FACT OR SYMBOLISM?

Sunflower - it’s the national floral symbol for Ukraine. It symbolises power, energy and beauty. Sunflower is the strongest among the flowers, it follows the sun no matter what, and reaches out to success and prosperity. It also looks like a big smile and brings sunshine even on the cloudiest days.

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CAN YOU SHARE ANY TIPS FOR NOVICE FLORAL DESIGNERS LOOKING TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS?

 My main advice is never stop learning. I will never forget how proud I was when I got my Floristry Certificate 3 after one year of part-time study in Australia. I thought I was a qualified professional then. 28 years later, I’m still learning. 

Formal education is a great start as it offers you theory, practice, teachers, feedback as well as a company of fellow students with their own takes on the same challenges. I would also recommend attending masterclasses – find those florists who inspire you, whose work resonates with your own style, and follow them.

Floristry needs to be practiced - as simple as that. When you apply for a job, you need to show how fast you are and demonstrate quick thinking. So practice is a fundamental block of our trade, especially in the beginning of your journey. Instagram and YouTube videos are great ways to broaden your horizons and get new ideas. Apart from keeping a stash of saved links, it’s good to try out and sketch different versions and colour combinations of the designs that inspire you.

Take part in competitions – we need to push ourselves out of our comfort zone. Online photo competitions offer a low stress entry level to test your design ability in a friendly context.

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WHAT IS THE TOP FLORAL TREND YOU ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW?

I see a lot of florists hosting workshops and classes, whether to supplement the retail part of their business, add another aspect to their online offering, or to connect with the community. We are becoming not only service providers, but also educators and ambassadors for our clients. Something to be proud of, to master and to plan for in your future as a professional florist. 

TELL US ABOUT THE PROCESS OF BRINGING THE INDIA MANNEQUIN TO LIFE IN FLOWERS.

It all started with an idea of course. I took a classic image of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of luck, prosperity and fertility, as my inspiration and reference. Lakshmi is always pictured on the lotus throne, crowned with a beautiful headdress and alongside elephants (symbols of luck). That gave me my main design elements.

I start with a detailed sketch of the platform and mannequin, focusing on measurements and construction, so the whole design would look harmonious. Colour scheme came quickly as well as flower selection. I ran my design by the team at Fleurs de Villes and they helped with mechanical and design tips. With the help of Mod Podge, plaster of paris, and even a children’s sand pit, the installation came together in multiple parts, and had to be assembled back to front.

I started building three weeks before the show. The biggest challenge was 85% humidity in my workroom due to the endless rain. The water was condensing overnight on the finished panels, so I had to keep them in a small store room with a dehumidifier on. 

The headpiece was a key technical element. I was lucky to have Millinery lessons during my Floristry Certificate 4, which I think was invaluable in putting together a Fleurs de Villes mannequin. I encourage future Fleurs de Villes newbies to reach out if they want to learn!

Lotus construction took the longest time to figure out. I used a children's sand pit in the shape of a scallop as the base. The petals took a team of 7 people working on it before the show setup, and 5 people applying the Cordyline leaves during the set up. 

It wasn’t quick or easy but it looked better than I even imagined and will always be something I’ll be proud of. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, brought me together with perfect strangers who helped me on this journey and filled my life with flowers again. I am so grateful for the help of my family, friends and volunteers for making this vision come to life and an amazing Fleurs de Villes team for this opportunity.

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

I love high fashion. Alexander McQueen’s visionary designs always set me on the invention path for my wearable art pieces. Salvador Dalí’s liquid shapes and imaginative landscapes are always calling out to me. Coldplay, Vivaldi and Ukrainian Folk music make up a playlist to get my creative juices flowing

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DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FLOWER QUOTE?

Common sense is a flower which doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden

IS THERE AN OUTSTANDING FLOWER THAT HAS PLAYED A ROLE IN A KEY MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE?

Vanda orchids are my absolute favourite. I love to use them in my wearable florals – jewellery, dresses and headpieces – as well as in bouquets and arrangements. They bring a touch of luxury, last incredibly long and come in a wide variety of colours. They also played an important role in y career.

During a trip to Belgium I went to see the Fleuramour show. A Belgian floral designer who I followed on Facebook, Stijn Simaeys, had done a breathtaking display and I had wanted to compliment him on his beautiful work and the flowers he used – including these absolutely gorgeous Vanda Orchids. As I lamented that I have never seen them this pristine in Australia, the grower walked past us! So I was introduced to Steef van Adrichem from Anco Pure Vanda.

Steef enjoyed my designs using Vanda orchids, so he introduced me to the show organisers, who then invited me to take part in the show next year. They also offered to publish my work in Fleurcreatif magazine, as an international designer feature. 

It was a fairytale moment that started my career in wearable flowers. 

Vanda orchids and Stijn Simaeys will always hold a special place in my heart. A beautiful flower and a generous flower master who changed my life in one beautiful moment. Stijn has since passed away but his light still shines brightly with all of us who he helped and touched.

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IF YOU COULD CREATE YOUR DREAM GARDEN, WHAT TYPES OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS WOULD YOU INCLUDE, AND WHY?

I love lush tropical plants with an intricate foliage patterns, ornamental gingers, anthurium, heliconias, and, of course, orchids. They all make you feel like you are in tropical paradise.

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COULD YOU OFFER OUR READERS A SNEAK PEEK INTO ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS OR THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING FROM YOUR FLORAL STUDIO?

I am very excited about the new chapter in my professional life - teaching floristry and botanical crafts to the wide audience of flower lovers. I am working on a series of workshops and masterclasses designed for different levels of experience and knowledge. 

I took a year off to move after selling my retail business. I hope to see all my ideas blossoming in reality soon, stay tuned and follow me on my journey sharing the love of flowers and design.

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See the India mannequin and floral creations from Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE in the gallery here.