4 Minutes with Melbourne’s Freshest Floral Designer: Bloom Boy
He is Melbourne’s freshest floral designer, so it’s no wonder why Ross Jenkins AKA Bloom Boy is becoming one of this city’s most sought after wedding and event florists.
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From his abstract designs to his use of colour and unique flowers, Ross is certainly one man you want on your wedding ‘Dream Team’.
We spent 4 minutes getting inside Bloom Boy’s head to understand what makes him (and his creations) just so damn FABULOUS.
Why floral design? Designing with such naturally beautiful materials in your toolbox is a real pleasure. I also love how floral design is so hands-on and immediate.
Before working with flowers, I trained and worked as a fashion designer and had my own label. That form of design is a long, drawn-out process, and I grew frustrated with that and the business of fashion.
I always had a dream at the back of my mind to work with flowers, to work more hands-on but still in design. It wasn’t until my own wedding where I wore flowers over my jacket that I realised that this is a job that could offer me that. Since taking the leap, I haven’t looked back once!
With floral design, I enjoy how an idea can come to life very quickly. My work is continually evolving and never dull as you don’t know what you could be working on next. It has its challenges, but I just love how each project is so different.
The variety of work and variety of materials at my fingertips is super exciting. Most of all, I enjoy how temporary florals are. We design something, make it a reality, it’s generally experienced for a short amount of time, and then it’s gone forever. I’m designing a memory, and that is so special.
What is the BEST thing you love about creating floral pieces? To see people react with such positive emotion to my work is just amazing. This is something I didn't think about before I started working as a florist, but when I did, it instantly became the thing I love most about my job and still do!
People respond positively to flowers, and as I work in weddings and events, I'm positively contributing to their experience. Especially with weddings, when I see how much my flowers are part of someone's special day, and I get feedback like 'you have made our wedding day', it is the best feeling. It makes me feel so happy that I have made them happy.
What is unique to Bloom Boy? What can we constantly see though all your work? I like to think there is a strong personality and a sense of fun in Bloom Boy. I'm continually evolving, but fun is always at the heart of what I do.
I believe that my background in fashion forms how I approach working with flowers too. I like to get playful and mix colours, textures and materials that are unfamiliar.
Bloom Boy is bold, unexpected and experimental. Bloom Boy is never predictable. Flowers are pretty but pretty is boring without a personality right?
Any advice for couples in the lead up to their big day and that all-important question… what flowers? This might sound like a weird thing to say, but I think it is best to think about the actual flower choice last when engaging with a florist for your wedding.
Choose your florist because you like their style.
As florists, we all have a different approach, so go with someone who's work speaks to you. You might already have some ideas about what you want, but also be open as your florist has the knowledge to enhance your ideas.
You will get the best work from your florist if you let them have a bit of creative flair and inject their personality into the job as opposed to just asking them to do something that you have seen someone else do.
Predications for wedding flowers for 2020? One thing for sure is that white wedding florals are no longer the norm as couples want to stand out from the Instagram-crowd and embrace colour and texture with an open mindset.
Installations are nothing new, but there has been a shift in focus from the usual arrangements to one giant installation piece that makes a real statement. Maybe a mass of foliage clouds above the dance floor or a cascading floral backdrop that will be the focal point for memorable photos.
This growing desire to inject a bit of personality into weddings also sees the use of statement blooms with a move away from the familiar. Mixing in bolder and unexpected forms like fruits, sunflowers and even gerberas is a thing!
In addition to the flowers, the vases themselves are getting playful. Interesting vase shapes and unique ceramics by local makers are becoming a way of adding in that personal touch.
Also, the dried flower trend has been gaining momentum for a while now and looks set to continue to be big in 2020. Fluffy pampas grass and crunchy preserved flowers and foliage that can be kept as a keepsake is a big a favourite.
Learn more about Bloom Boy by finding him on Mr Theodore - CLICK HERE. Or, follow him on Instagram - CLICK HERE.
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