Selinna Hong is no stranger to a Fleurs de Villes show. With such storied floral creations as the Queen Elizabeth I floral mannequin and most recently, Lady Rose mannequin at Van Dusen Gardens, Sellina and the Manites Flower Shop team have been delighting Vancouver flower enthusiasts for years. 

‍

TELL US ABOUT THE PROCESS OF CREATING "LADY ROSE"?

In Downton Abbey, Lady Rose is portrayed as a jazz-loving, sociable, and modern character. I especially wanted to capture her lovely and feminine side during the proposal scene.

Since it would be displayed outdoors, I used preserved flowers for the main mannequin and designed the background with fresh flowers. For the dress colour, I tried something new by using pressed cherry blossoms to evoke a sweet and feminine look.

The key point of the work was to achieve a realistic expression. My ultimate goal was for the mannequin to look like the real Lady Rose. I was thrilled when Matt Barber, the actor who plays Lady Rose’s fiancé, Atticus Aldridge, shared a photo of the mannequin on his personal social media, complimenting the work. One day, I hope to express the soul through my creations!

‍

HOW HAS PARTICIPATING IN FLEURS DE VILLES INFLUENCED YOUR FLOWER DESIGN?

I especially enjoy working on mannequins for Fleurs de Villes. It’s a process of creating something from nothing, using flowers as a medium to bring the design in my head to life. My goal is always to make it look as natural and human-like as possible – that’s the philosophy behind my work.

Through Fleurs de Villes, I receive valuable feedback, and it motivates me improve with each project. I also learn about popular colours, designs, and preferences directly from public responses. As a florist and an artist, I feel great fulfillment and joy from this experience.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF BEING A FLORIST?

I believe florists are present at all stages of a person’s life – from the birth of a baby to weddings, and even at the final farewell, a funeral. I feel the greatest pride and fulfillment in being able to share in people’s joys and sorrows, and to offer comfort through flowers.

‍

WHAT EVENTS OR PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO LATER THIS YEAR?

Our flower shop hosts many pop-up stores and workshops throughout the year. We’re currently planning several events for the second half of the year, including a Christmas workshop in collaboration with restaurants and participating in a university graduation as a flower vendor. 

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE WORKING AT A FLOWER SHOP, AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THEM?

Being a florist requires more physical stamina than most people expect. The shop is also affected by the economy, so we worry about financial constraints during slow seasons.

To overcome this, we try to connect with the public and be creative through organizing events like pop-up stores and focusing on product development using new designs and materials. I see participating in Fleurs de Villes as part of that effort.

‍

ANY TIPS FOR NEW FLORISTS STARTING OUT?

People often think florists just wear pretty clothes and arrange flowers gracefully. But the reality is, it requires a lot of physical effort and design research.

Don’t be satisfied with just selling flowers at your shop. Reach out to people, experiment, and try new ideas. When you put in that effort, fresh and beautiful ideas will lead to success. Like anything in life, if you stay consistent and work hard in the beginning, the day will come when people recognize and love your flowers.