This month, I traveled to the beautiful city of Bordeaux for Flower Circus. You already know I love traveling, and combining work with travel is just perfect. I arrived on Friday towards late morning, giving me ample time to explore Bordeaux. It's a delightful city filled with stunning parks, buildings, and plenty to see. However, my purpose wasn't just to enjoy the surroundings; I was there for Salon Florevent 2024. On the 10th and 11th of March, flower enthusiasts gathered at Hangar 14, situated along the gorgeous Garonne riverbank, for a spectacular experience that awakened the senses and nurtured creativity.
This edition of Salon Florevent featured a diverse range of suppliers in the floral industry. At the Flower Circus booth, I, alongside the renowned French floral artist Max Hurtaud, represented esteemed growers like Deliflor, Trosrozenkwekerij De Opstal, Special Orchids, and Piet Vijverberg. Our booth was a festive explosion of colors, complemented by beautiful arrangements.
After a successful edition in Paris last year, Salon Florevent shone this time in the enchanting city of Bordeaux. Florists and arrangers from far and wide gathered to be inspired by the latest trends and innovations, including the proud representation of Dutch floriculture.
The event showcased exciting novelties, including the nearly fluorescent yellow chrysanthemum Leto, the uniquely colored Carnation Caramello, Rosa 'Veggie,' and the enchanting 'Japanese' ranunculus Charlotta. These striking novelties were specially presented in the designated novelty booth.
A prominent trend observed at Salon Florevent this year was the use of dyed flowers. From tulips to roses, gypsophila, lathyrus, and even Lisianthus, the vibrant colors align perfectly with the 'fake it' trend from the French trend agency Chlorosphere. This trend, inspired by Artificial Intelligence, with iridescent materials taking the spotlight, offers a fresh perspective on traditional floral arrangements and encourages creativity at new levels.
In addition to a wide array of booths, Salon Florevent also provided a platform for talent through the florist competition. Participants were challenged to design a display as if created by Artificial Intelligence, drawing inspiration from 'midjourney.' The winning design, 'Le garden Avignon,' inspired by the Majorelle gardens, showcased the creative prowess of the participants and received praise from a panel of professional visual merchandisers from companies like Disney and H&M.
In essence, Salon Florevent Bordeaux 2024 was an unmissable event for anyone passionate about flowers and floral art. After three days of hard work, fueled by the positive feedback and pleasant encounters, I headed home on Tuesday. Not empty-handed though, as I visited a bric-a-brac on Friday and found a beautiful vintage plate with a floral design that I simply couldn't resist!
For my next blog post, I'll be visiting Florein Gerbera, a familiar grower to me. Last summer, I used their products for a wedding in Belgium, and even the Formula 1 industry depends on Florein's greenhouses. Stay tuned for more on that next month!
Plantman Maarten