Eduardo Lua, Branching Out Events

By
Fleurs de Villes
AT FIRST SPARKED YOUR PASSION FOR FLORAL DESIGN?

Without a doubt, my mother. Ever since I was a child, I would watch her transform bunches of flowers – natural or artificial – into dreamlike compositions. She never took a formal class, but her creativity was a gift, almost like a superpower I deeply admired. Watching her create with such freedom, beauty, and sensitivity filled me with pride and planted a seed in me that, over the years, blossomed. She was the one who ignited my passion for flowers – a passion I now have the privilege of sharing with the world.

TELL US ABOUT THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF DESIGNING YOUR MANNEQUIN, AND TAKING INSPIRATION FROM MARISOL’S THE PARTY (1965)?

Creating this mannequin was both a true challenge and a deeply personal experience. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to give my absolute best and, I’ll admit, I wanted to win. The process was meticulous and entirely intentional. It began with a visit to Marisol’s exhibition, where I allowed myself to be fully immersed in the strength of her work. My mind was racing – observing, imagining, connecting ideas – while also feeling a pressing need to ground all that visual inspiration into something tangible.

I spent hours taking notes, sketching, selecting materials and flowers that could speak for themselves. The most complex part was distilling all that inspiration into a single piece that could tell a story – one that honoured Marisol’s art while also carrying my voice and sensitivity as a floral artist.

Every flower, every texture, every decision was made to reflect the duality that Marisol captured so well: festive and intimate, social and introspective. But beyond the visual aspect, I wanted the piece to be a complete experience: for its aroma to envelop, its textures to be felt, and every element to invite a pause – a moment of connection. This mannequin wasn’t just a floral installation; it was an artistic statement, a bridge between my inner world and the symbolic universe of The Party.

HOW WOULD YOU DESIGN YOUR DREAM GARDEN?

My dream garden would be a sanctuary – a space filled with peace, abundance, and colour, where nature is celebrated with freedom, beauty, and reverence. It would be a living place that honours my roots and awakens the senses of everyone who visits.

I’d imagine fruit trees, lush greenery in all its variations, and flowers that tell stories. Hydrangeas in every hue, tulips for their delicacy, hyacinths perfuming the air with their unmistakable scent, and magnolias whose fragrance always stops me in my tracks. I would also include roses from the simplest to the most intricate garden varieties – not because they’re rare, but because of their emotional power.

Each corner would be designed to convey something: emotion, memory, surprise. It would be a feast of colour, yes – but with intentional design, where each bloom emerges with purpose. More than a garden, it would be a sensory experience that reminds us how vital it is to reconnect with nature.

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

My greatest inspiration has always been my mother. She not only gave me a love for flowers, but also for fashion, creativity, and the art of making things with your hands. She designed my sisters’ dresses, crafted my costumes for every birthday and school performance, and did it all with a talent and dedication that still moves me. She was, without a doubt, a super mom with magical hands. It was because of her that I chose to study Fashion Design and Coordination in Guadalajara. Although I don’t work full time in fashion now, I love merging fashion and flowers in my creations. For me, both disciplines share the same language: shape, texture, movement, and emotion.

When it comes to floral art, I don’t admire just one particular artist. I believe this is a gift that lives within, and for that reason, I deeply respect everyone who turns flowers into art. I’m constantly learning from those who create with sensitivity and authenticity.
I also find inspiration in immersive, sensory experiences – those exhibitions where scent, sound, image, and emotion converge. I’ve attended several, and I love getting lost in them, exploring every detail, and admiring the artists who create such captivating worlds. That’s where I feel art becomes a full experience.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWER-RELATED QUOTE OR SAYING THAT RESONATES WITH YOU?

Yes. There’s a phrase I always repeat – one that captures how I approach design, art, and life itself:

“If I can imagine it – if I can see it in my mind – then without a doubt, I can bring it to life.”

For me, flowers are the medium through which I materialize what I feel, dream, and envision. Everything begins with an idea – sometimes blurry – but if I can visualize it, I know I can transform it into a tangible creation. That’s the magic of imagining… and of creating through flowers.

AT FIRST SPARKED YOUR PASSION FOR FLORAL DESIGN?

Without a doubt, my mother. Ever since I was a child, I would watch her transform bunches of flowers – natural or artificial – into dreamlike compositions. She never took a formal class, but her creativity was a gift, almost like a superpower I deeply admired. Watching her create with such freedom, beauty, and sensitivity filled me with pride and planted a seed in me that, over the years, blossomed. She was the one who ignited my passion for flowers – a passion I now have the privilege of sharing with the world.

TELL US ABOUT THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF DESIGNING YOUR MANNEQUIN, AND TAKING INSPIRATION FROM MARISOL’S THE PARTY (1965)?

Creating this mannequin was both a true challenge and a deeply personal experience. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to give my absolute best and, I’ll admit, I wanted to win. The process was meticulous and entirely intentional. It began with a visit to Marisol’s exhibition, where I allowed myself to be fully immersed in the strength of her work. My mind was racing – observing, imagining, connecting ideas – while also feeling a pressing need to ground all that visual inspiration into something tangible.

I spent hours taking notes, sketching, selecting materials and flowers that could speak for themselves. The most complex part was distilling all that inspiration into a single piece that could tell a story – one that honoured Marisol’s art while also carrying my voice and sensitivity as a floral artist.

Every flower, every texture, every decision was made to reflect the duality that Marisol captured so well: festive and intimate, social and introspective. But beyond the visual aspect, I wanted the piece to be a complete experience: for its aroma to envelop, its textures to be felt, and every element to invite a pause – a moment of connection. This mannequin wasn’t just a floral installation; it was an artistic statement, a bridge between my inner world and the symbolic universe of The Party.

HOW WOULD YOU DESIGN YOUR DREAM GARDEN?

My dream garden would be a sanctuary – a space filled with peace, abundance, and colour, where nature is celebrated with freedom, beauty, and reverence. It would be a living place that honours my roots and awakens the senses of everyone who visits.

I’d imagine fruit trees, lush greenery in all its variations, and flowers that tell stories. Hydrangeas in every hue, tulips for their delicacy, hyacinths perfuming the air with their unmistakable scent, and magnolias whose fragrance always stops me in my tracks. I would also include roses from the simplest to the most intricate garden varieties – not because they’re rare, but because of their emotional power.

Each corner would be designed to convey something: emotion, memory, surprise. It would be a feast of colour, yes – but with intentional design, where each bloom emerges with purpose. More than a garden, it would be a sensory experience that reminds us how vital it is to reconnect with nature.

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

My greatest inspiration has always been my mother. She not only gave me a love for flowers, but also for fashion, creativity, and the art of making things with your hands. She designed my sisters’ dresses, crafted my costumes for every birthday and school performance, and did it all with a talent and dedication that still moves me. She was, without a doubt, a super mom with magical hands. It was because of her that I chose to study Fashion Design and Coordination in Guadalajara. Although I don’t work full time in fashion now, I love merging fashion and flowers in my creations. For me, both disciplines share the same language: shape, texture, movement, and emotion.

When it comes to floral art, I don’t admire just one particular artist. I believe this is a gift that lives within, and for that reason, I deeply respect everyone who turns flowers into art. I’m constantly learning from those who create with sensitivity and authenticity.
I also find inspiration in immersive, sensory experiences – those exhibitions where scent, sound, image, and emotion converge. I’ve attended several, and I love getting lost in them, exploring every detail, and admiring the artists who create such captivating worlds. That’s where I feel art becomes a full experience.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWER-RELATED QUOTE OR SAYING THAT RESONATES WITH YOU?

Yes. There’s a phrase I always repeat – one that captures how I approach design, art, and life itself:

“If I can imagine it – if I can see it in my mind – then without a doubt, I can bring it to life.”

For me, flowers are the medium through which I materialize what I feel, dream, and envision. Everything begins with an idea – sometimes blurry – but if I can visualize it, I know I can transform it into a tangible creation. That’s the magic of imagining… and of creating through flowers.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWER FACT OR SYMBOLISM?

The marigold. I’m originally from Cotija de la Paz, Michoacán, and this flower means much more than beauty to me. It represents memory, roots, and spirit. Every time I think of it, I get a lump in my throat, because it connects me directly to the Day of the Dead, one of the most profound traditions in my culture. Its vibrant colour and distinctive scent, according to tradition, mark the path that guides our loved ones back to us. I’ve had the honour of creating several altars where marigolds are the protagonists – not just for their symbolic weight, but for the energy they bring. It’s a flower that honours life through death. A bloom that blossoms to help us remember.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FRAGRANT BLOOM, AND HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE SCENT INTO YOUR DESIGNS?

Hyacinths hold a very special place in my heart. Their fragrance reminds me of the quiet yet powerful force of nature and how it reveals itself in every flower, in every stem. That’s why the mannequin I created for Fleurs de Villes was crafted using hyacinths: I wanted it to be seen, but also felt – to surround you. I love working with the scent of flowers as an essential part of the experience. Each bloom has its own perfume, its own personality, and I find it fascinating how something invisible can stir such deep emotion. For me, scent is a form of memory. A flower can transport you somewhere, just through its aroma.

COULD YOU OFFER OUR READERS A SNEAK PEEK INTO ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS FROM YOUR FLORAL STUDIO IN 2025?

More than a specific project, I have a clear desire for this year: to keep creating art. I want to develop more pieces like the mannequin I presented – works that aren’t just made of flowers, but that tell stories, evoke emotions, and connect with people. I love building structures from scratch, imagining the impossible, and bringing it to life with my hands. And beyond exhibiting them, I want to share that process with more people, to open the world of floral creation as a living experience, where others can feel what I feel when I create.

A NOTE FROM FLEURS DE VILLES:

We can’t play favourites here at Fleurs de Villes, and often when asked which mannequin is my favourite I respond aghast, as if that is akin to asking which is my favourite child. All that said, this mannequin ranks “among my favourites!” Why? The creative vision that went into this and the execution was outstanding. The very floral-ness of it generates such a multi-sensorial onslaught (all good!) These qualities are the essence of what FDV is. The gothic frame reproduction, the “coral” headpiece and workmanship, the woven bodice and then the colour choices in the skirt's two sides all just adds up to Best in Show.

- Tina Barkley, Co-founder

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