This April we'll be bringing our VOYAGE show to South Coast Plaza, featuring fabulous Southern Californian florists including Shawna Yamamoto, who wowed visitors to our 2021 show with her brilliant tribute to Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. We caught up with her as she prepares her design for our April show.

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WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER YOUR LOVE FOR FLOWERS? 

I first discovered my love for flowers when I started looking for different mediums to do art with.  Flowers came in an array of colors and textures that were so foreign to me - that excited me.

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IF YOU WERE A FLOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I would want to be a Lotus flower because of its sacredness to the eastern world and how long it has survived - it's resistant to pollution and can even purify the water it thrives in.

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WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL ARRANGEMENT YOU HAVE CREATED?

I cannot pick one arrangement that I have created that was the most meaningful to me. As an artist, I think you create art that has a special place where it served its purpose.  I’ve designed alongside my then 6 year old son and made a masterpiece that got him excited about art with flowers, while another day I created funeral flowers with my family for my late grandfather - each was meaningful to me in its own way.

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WHAT IS YOUR TOP FLORAL TIP FOR OUR FLEURS DE VILLES GUESTS?

My top tip for all of you is to not judge a flower by its “bad rap”.  Every flower can be beautiful, it s up to you to figure out how to make it shine.

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

I am inspired by so many artists including Iris Apfel, Tom Dixon, Daniel Ost, Joanna Gaines and Salvador Dali.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF THE PERFECT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT TO RECEIVE?

I am a fan of having an amazing vase that matches the amazing flowers.  A medium sized, not too large but not too small design that is packed with interesting flowers, colors and something non-floral to spice it up.

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

I love orange poppies, they grow wild up in Southern Oregon where I am from.  I remember picking them as a young child, peeling the flower open and dissecting it and eventually figuring out how to put it in water to keep it alive for a while longer.

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

The top flower trend I see right now is the use of dried floral mixed with fresh. Finally people are not afraid to use color and to be bold in their movements and lines within their designs.

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WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU SEE PEOPLE MAKING WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING FLOWERS?

I think the biggest mistake people make when buying flowers is to not include a “tie-in” flower. One that has multiple colors or mixed hues, to include between all your other ones to help connect them.  

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WHAT IS THE MOST UNDERRATED FLOWER IN YOUR OPINION? 

There are so many underrated flowers because using what is comfortable is easy. My recommendation is to step out of your comfort zone when selecting flowers - the one you historically have disliked might end up being the one you like the most.  But if I had to select one flower, it would be the carnation.