Armen and Jaime, Flybunker LLC

San Francisco

By
Fleurs de Villes
Dragon Dance Mannequin created by Flybunker LLC, San Jose 2025
Dragon Dance Mannequin created by Flybunker LLC, San Jose 2025
Florals created by Flybunker LLC, in the vault of the San Francisco Mint, 2023
Floral tribute to Dr. Nasser Mohamed by Flybunker, San Francisco PRIDE 2023
WHAT FIRST SPARKED YOUR PASSION FOR FLORAL DESIGN?

I was working as a graphic artist in a bridal design shop when I was given the chance to fill in for a florist who couldn't make it. That was it for me; I found my true calling in that moment. Later, when I met Jaime, his artistic abilities sparked my interest both romantically and artistically. I immediately brought him into the craft, recognizing a rare creative potential that perfectly complemented my own. Together, we’ve built Flybunker LLC on a foundation of shared passion and artistic vision. 

COMING UP ON FLEURS DE VILLES LUNAIRE, IS THERE ANYTHING NEW OR EXCITING ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR CREATING THIS TIME AROUND?

The excitement is always new! We love the opportunity to pay homage to tradition while using 100% organic materials. Seeing all of our peers come together to celebrate floral artistry and the Lunar New Year is a magical experience. Each show pushes us to find new ways to blend cultural storytelling with our signature "moody and sophisticated" aesthetic. 

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

Absolutely. Our first experience with Fleurs de Villes PRIDE at the San Francisco Mint was a turning point that brought us closer to the floral community of the Bay Area. At the exhibit, we made great friends, and winning the "Most Realistic" award made us feel truly embraced. It gave us the confidence to treat every project – from corporate receptions to private parties – as a high-concept art installation. 

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

We draw a lot of inspiration from fashion and interior design, specifically spaces that utilize deep, sultry tones and architectural lines. We are constantly looking at how light and shadow interact with textures, much like a graphic designer approaches a canvas. We want our work to feel like a creative collaboration between nature and fine art. 

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

Our dream garden would be an evocative, sensory sanctuary. I would fill it with white mini orchids for their sleek, modern elegance, alongside the lush, classic silhouettes of magnolias and gardenias. I’ve always been drawn to the romance of wisteria draping over quiet corners, and I would definitely include a water element with lotus plants and lily pads. We lean toward "deep and sexy" tones – darker foliage and moody blooms that create a sense of mystery. It would be a space that feels both intimate and magnetic. 

WHAT FIRST SPARKED YOUR PASSION FOR FLORAL DESIGN?

I was working as a graphic artist in a bridal design shop when I was given the chance to fill in for a florist who couldn't make it. That was it for me; I found my true calling in that moment. Later, when I met Jaime, his artistic abilities sparked my interest both romantically and artistically. I immediately brought him into the craft, recognizing a rare creative potential that perfectly complemented my own. Together, we’ve built Flybunker LLC on a foundation of shared passion and artistic vision. 

COMING UP ON FLEURS DE VILLES LUNAIRE, IS THERE ANYTHING NEW OR EXCITING ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR CREATING THIS TIME AROUND?

The excitement is always new! We love the opportunity to pay homage to tradition while using 100% organic materials. Seeing all of our peers come together to celebrate floral artistry and the Lunar New Year is a magical experience. Each show pushes us to find new ways to blend cultural storytelling with our signature "moody and sophisticated" aesthetic. 

Dragon Dance Mannequin created by Flybunker LLC, San Jose 2025
Dragon Dance Mannequin created by Flybunker LLC, San Jose 2025
Dragon Dance Mannequin created by Flybunker LLC, San Jose 2025
Dragon Dance Mannequin created by Flybunker LLC, San Jose 2025
HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF PARTICIPATING IN FLEURS DE VILLES INFLUENCED YOUR APPROACH TO FLORAL DESIGN IN OTHER ASPECTS OF YOUR BUSINESS?

Absolutely. Our first experience with Fleurs de Villes PRIDE at the San Francisco Mint was a turning point that brought us closer to the floral community of the Bay Area. At the exhibit, we made great friends, and winning the "Most Realistic" award made us feel truly embraced. It gave us the confidence to treat every project – from corporate receptions to private parties – as a high-concept art installation. 

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

We draw a lot of inspiration from fashion and interior design, specifically spaces that utilize deep, sultry tones and architectural lines. We are constantly looking at how light and shadow interact with textures, much like a graphic designer approaches a canvas. We want our work to feel like a creative collaboration between nature and fine art. 

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

Our dream garden would be an evocative, sensory sanctuary. I would fill it with white mini orchids for their sleek, modern elegance, alongside the lush, classic silhouettes of magnolias and gardenias. I’ve always been drawn to the romance of wisteria draping over quiet corners, and I would definitely include a water element with lotus plants and lily pads. We lean toward "deep and sexy" tones – darker foliage and moody blooms that create a sense of mystery. It would be a space that feels both intimate and magnetic. 

Florals created by Flybunker LLC, in the vault of the San Francisco Mint, 2023
Florals created by Flybunker LLC, in the vault of the San Francisco Mint, 2023
Floral tribute to Dr. Nasser Mohamed by Flybunker, San Francisco PRIDE 2023
Floral tribute to Dr. Nasser Mohamed by Flybunker, San Francisco PRIDE 2023
THE SCENT OF FLOWERS CAN BE AS POWERFUL AS THEIR VISUAL APPEAL. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FRAGRANT BLOOM, AND HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE SCENT INTO YOUR DESIGNS?

Scent is essential to the atmosphere we create at Flybunker LLC. I am particularly drawn to the intoxicating fragrance of gardenias, the nostalgic sweetness of lilac, and the calming, earthy notes of lavender. For us, scent is the final layer of a design – it’s what makes an experience truly immersive. We carefully layer these fragrances to fill a room without being overpowering, ensuring the sensory experience stays with a guest long after the event is over. 

ARE THERE ANY PARTICULARLY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING ON IN 2026?

2026 is shaping up to be a very busy year of growth for Flybunker LLC. We are particularly excited about expanding our work with sophisticated venues in the San Francisco Bay Area and continuing to push the boundaries of organic floral art. We’re looking forward to more large-scale collaborations where we can bring our style to new audiences. 

A NOTE FROM FLEURS DE VILLES:

There’s something special when you reach out to a florist to participate in a show and they tell you it’s what they have been dreaming about. Such was the case with FlyBunker a few years ago and now the tables have turned and I dream about them participating in our shows. Last year’s Lunar New Year Dragon installation was a creative feat. The sheer scale of the piece and creation of a giant dragon head constructed over the mannequin had such presence. The abundance of florals used to bring the seasonal and festive nature of Lunar New Year to life included everything from autumnal straw flowers to protea to tulips and required multiple loops to take it all in.

- Tina Barkley, Fleurs de Villes Co-founder

Floral tribute to Dr. Nasser Mohamed by Flybunker, San Francisco PRIDE 2023
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