For our Chicago Most Creative award-winner, the language of flowers is not merely a profession, but an intrinsic part of her very being. We caught up with Lauren Cornille from elleAndrée Floral, as she recounts how early memories of tending to family gardens blossomed into a lifelong romance with floral design.
TELL US ABOUT THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF BRINGING THE MARTHA LEVINSON MANNEQUIN TO LIFE EN FLEURS?
This was such an organic experience. I first envisioned her personality: bold, strong, elegant, outlasting, and then paired flowers that embodied those same qualities while honouring the character's costume. While the costume was not replicated exactly, the essence of Martha was vibrantly brought to life. Anthurium, Orchids, Callas and Succulents were at the core of this design, all botanicals that are showstoppers and outlast many others, just like Martha! They are also durable, necessary to last the duration of the show. Another element that contributed to the creative process was the fact that Martha was an American set in the 20th century English landscape. I decided it only fitting to pay homage to her native roots by “planting” her in elements indigenous to the Americas: Magnolia foliage from Georgia, Boston Ferns, Curly Willow branches and Pampas Grass from Southeast Wisconsin, Tree Moss from Michigan and grass from Kentucky. These were the elements featured on the platform that created her “background” – literally and figuratively. Each delicate detail, from her matching earrings and rings made out of strawflowers, to the petite baby’s breath “diamond” clutch with hypericum berry “pearls”, the pointed ti-leaf sleeves of her gown and the intricate headpiece of preserved botanicals were dripping with her exquisite attention to be seen and heard. I spoke to the flowers daily in gratitude for their ability to bring Martha to life, to bring people together in celebration and to please hold! (90% of the mannequin was out of water for the 5 day show and there was minimal need for refreshing) This was such a golden opportunity to allow myself to be deeply connected to the creative process and connect energetically to the flower consciousness while curating a high-fashion floral couture vibe.
DOWNTON ABBEY BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN FASHION, ART, AND EVEN FLORISTRY ACROSS ERAS – DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR TIME PERIOD OR AESTHETIC THAT YOU’RE FEELING INSPIRED BY RECENTLY?
Recently, I have been revisiting a design style that I learned years ago, Ikebana, which is the meditative and mindful Japanese art of floral arrangement. It emphasizes minimalistic design principles within the natural form of a botanical element and the beauty of asymmetry, rather than an abundance of blooms often seen in Western design. It's a disciplined artform that involves intuitive selection and placement of your elements, aspiring to reveal the inner qualities of flowers and to express them through emotions. There is an emphasis on harmony and balance, which also reflects the interconnected relationships of heaven, earth and humanity through the geometry of each element’s precise placement. We see layers of this incorporated in our more modern hybrid design style that blends an asymmetrical aesthetic with a more traditional composition. Ikebana is floral art that inspires one to value and appreciate the simplicity of an element in its natural state, a reminder for us to do same!
WHAT FIRST SPARKED YOUR PASSION FOR FLORAL DESIGN?
Flowers have spoken to me for as long as I can remember, etching themselves into my earliest memories as a young girl. My grandfather would garden with me, teaching me about each bloom, how to care for it and to pay special attention to how I felt as I was in its presence. My birthday is in early May, and he would tell me that the lilacs bloom just to celebrate me every year – what an amazing thing for a 4 year old to hear! Each summer morning, I was welcomed by the pink rose bush outside our kitchen window and I can remember how I just magically found myself captivated by its complete essence: the petals, the colour, the fragrance…how could something seemingly so simple be so affecting, inspiring all these feel good feelings of wonder and awe - a friendship that was always inviting and welcoming me to stay as long as I wanted. This lasted throughout my childhood, gardening with my father, planting new plants every Mother’s Day for my mother and watching our garden grow just as my family did. I knew my first job had to be with flowers. I was offered a position at the local “mom n’ pop” flower shop when I was 16 and it has evolved naturally from there, always an opportunity presenting to take me further into my purpose as a floral artist. I knew from very early on in my life that flowers would take me into the role I was destined for. Now, not only do I design with flowers, I continue to evolve as I learn from them. I study them. I eat and drink them, wear their oils, heal with their essences, communicate with their consciousness, plant them and marvel in their magnificence. It’s also my way of assisting others in finding joy. This has been an evolutionary journey that my soul is purely and simply connected to.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL ARRANGEMENT YOU HAVE CREATED?
Flowers are interconnected to the human experience. For generations throughout history, humanity has celebrated with flowers, from birth to death and all the many life moments in between. I have treasured 26 years of working with brides to be and expectant mothers, celebrating first dates and 50th wedding anniversaries, new babies to milestone birthdays, and all have had meaning and heartfelt connection. But what has been significantly meaningful to me throughout the years is when I have been asked to create a piece to celebrate the life of someone who has passed on. It is an honour to create an arrangement that embodies the soul of a loved one who has left. Not only is it a form of healing, but it is joyful remembrance for those who remain. I've created butterfly wings for a young boy (his favourite insect and resemblance of his new life). A high school logo for the football coach who lived and breathed his role to inspire and encourage young students. A floral piece incorporating fresh produce for a farmer and legendary market man of 70 years. Ballet slippers with delicate blushing blooms for a ballerina. A patriotic piece including the flag and colours of the United States for a Navy Veteran. A tropical paradise piece and Haku Lei for a woman who was the essence of the Aloha spirit. This has been the most fulfilling part of being a floral designer, to aid and support those who grieve through the language of flowers and share my love for them through a creative vision to celebrate a life.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MOVIE, TV SERIES OR BOOK THAT INCORPORATES FLOWERS IN A BEAUTIFUL WAY?
My mother introduced me to the Flower Fairies book series by Cicely Mary Barker when I was in elementary school. I remember flipping through the pages completely captivated by the detailed illustrations, seeing how each faerie perfectly embodied the flower it was connected to. It opened my mind to the magical aspect and interconnectedness of the Flower and Faerie realms. These books were integral in expanding my curiosity, knowingness and creativity within my floral journey. To this day, I still engage with these books through sharing them with my daughter and my Flower Fairies collection has expanded to coloring books, puzzles, clothing and prints.
PICTURE YOUR DREAM GARDEN – WHAT TYPES OF FLOWERS/PLANTS WOULD YOU INCLUDE, AND WHY?
When I visualize the most glorious garden, I see one that is ever-blooming. Each season would highlight the flowers that are uniquely designed to blossom at that time, gently and gracefully transitioning into the next season, welcoming the next beauties into bloom. Spring is new life and my absolute favorite time for flowers! It is the beginning of a new cycle, reminding us to awaken from the winter slumber. I see Crocus and Muscari peaking out of the earth, ushering the Hyacinth and Tulips into being. Crabapple Blossoms awaken as the Forsythia bushes begin to shine their happy golden glow. Daffodils stand up with the Iris and Lilac finally arrives for those few short weeks, inviting us in with their enticing fragrance. Snowball Viburnum and Peonies bring us into the hot summer when the perfume Roses finally begin to bloom again. Lush Hydrangea create an endless summer with colourful Zinneas as rows and rows of Lavender exist to elevate the mind and body. The sweet smell of Gardenia wafts through the air, intoxicating, breathtaking, transcending. Autumn arrives and so do the Sunflowers in perfect height as the Dahlias begin to fade into the sunset of the season. Sedum and Kale are companions to the Chrysanthemums as the Burning Bushes take ablaze in vibrant red. Winter eases into the brilliance of stillness as evergreens and winterberry adorn the snow kissed landscape. Slumber is here for renewal and rebirth as life resets, awaiting the Spring when it is time to bloom all over again. Creating a space like this would be an opportunity to share healing with the world. My ultimate dream is to create this garden where people may come to let go of their stress, their worries, their “dis-ease” and simply connect with the energy of the flowers and life consciousness, a transformational space to promote a new experience of elevation in harmony with living a happy and healthy abundant life.
WHAT'S THE MOST THOUGHTFUL OR SURPRISING FLORAL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED FROM SOMEONE?
The most genuine floral gift I received actually wasn’t materialistic at all. It was a job. There was a small boutique shop in my midwestern hometown that was very “Dean and Deluca-esque” with gourmet grocery, a deli, bakery, butcher, old fashioned soda fountain, coffee bar and the most darling floral and gift section. An artist and a chef duo had recently purchased it, not knowing much about running a flower shop. I visited often with my mother, always buying flowers and sharing what I knew as I learned it at my new job. I was only a few months into working my first flower job when the boutique asked if I would come work for them. I started at $6 an hour, developing my passion and purpose in floristry. Years later, I discovered my mother's conversations with the owners about my love for flowers inspired the job offer. This blank canvas allowed me to develop my artistry, connect with people, and foster unlimited design creativity. I cannot think of something greater than a mother’s love and the willingness of two women to take a chance on a 16 year old girl in support of nurturing her floral dreams.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWER FACT?
So many flower facts to discuss! …but I love the fact that a sunflower isn’t just one flower. In fact, it’s a bouquet! Botanically, a sunflower (species: Helianthus annuus) is known as a composite flower made up of hundreds, if not thousands, of miniature flowers called florets, all housed within one larger flower head. If you look closely at the center, you will see hundreds of tiny blooms, each holding the potential to create a seed if pollinated. These are surrounded by several yellow ray florets, or what one might call petals. (sometimes white, red or brown) In biology, we call this inflorescence. And more specifically to the sunflower, a capitulum. Thinking about the potential to birth thousands of seeds from one simple structure is miraculous in and of itself! It symbolizes the understanding that we are many people all housed within the body of one Earth, fractals of the whole creation principle, stemming from Source…Divinity…Oneness. A reminder to us that our floral counterparts are showing us truth of our design. Flowers are incredible teachers and healers. Go deeper than what the eye presents. There is always a message and more to learn from our flower friends.
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