Belgium: David Austin Roses to inspire at Fleuramour

Thousands of people — both floral professionals and everyday flower lovers — will be at Fleuramour this year. The “David Austin Roses Experience,” designed by European Master Certification (EMC) students and instructors, is expected to be one of the highlights.

“There will be more than 5000 David Austin Roses in one room, the scent will be amazing. We want people to stop, take in the fragrance, the visual impact and feel the emotions these beautiful flowers evoke,” said Tomas De Bruyne. (DeBruyne and fellow floral educator Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD, are the founders and directors of the EMC Program.)

The unusual, multi-sensory display features a full array of David Austin Wedding Roses and individual designs by eight EMC students.

EMC invited its advanced students and graduates to choose one of the four elements – Earth – Air – Fire – Water — from Fleuramour’s theme and submit ideas for designs featuring David Austin Roses.

“They had to be forward-thinking, experiential — this isn’t about just creating (the look) of a fire. It’s about giving people the experience of fire, through flowers,” said Hitomi Gilliam, AIFD. The eight designs selected “are all very different. There’s a lot of innovation…students came up with some new techniques and even new materials,” Gilliam said.

At Fleuramour, the young designers will be on hand explaining their concepts, sharing ideas, and helping visitors appreciate the full David Austin Roses Experience. “Most of the time, floral designers come in, do an installation and leave,” said Gilliam. “At Fleuramour we get to see people react to our work, to talk to the public and to other designers about it.”

Just as David Austin is passionate about roses, said De Bruyen, “EMC is passionate about inspiring people and raising the floral industry to a higher level.”

For more information:
David Austin Roses
15059 State Highway 64 West, Tyler, Texas 75704
[email protected]
davidaustinweddingroses.com