Allied Florists of Houston AIFD National Symposium by Alex Torres AIFD TMF

Welcome to our monthly column dedicated to the thrilling pursuit of all things floral.
I am thrilled beyond reason to be able to share my humble opinions and tips with all of you who make up this wonderful industry in hopes of sparking that passion for floral design..

This month's column is a little different . Yes, we have some design tips, but before we get to that, I want to share my epiphany with everyone.

There, I said it !! I know there are a lot of you out there harboring that same secret. Well, now is the time to come forth. Acceptance is the first step and believe me I have accepted it .

It all came to light this past July 1, 2006 when I was fortunate enough to finally make the journey to my first American Institute of Floral Design symposium.

AIFD National Symposium is a yearly event that travels across the country showcasing the best our industry has to offer. AIFD is at the forefront of innovation and artistry where floral design is concerned. This year symposium was held in Washington DC. When I got there I was very intimidated, but the AIFD staff and volunteers were very warm and welcoming. I was lucky enough to see some other Texas delegates there - Coby Neal, Beth O'Reilly, Ted Bruehl AIFD and Julie Beck TMFA to name a few !!

We settled in to our rooms and prepared for our Accreditation Evaluation Session (AES) the next morning. The test consists of a written exam that was mailed in prior to AES, and an actual live hands-on practical design evaluation. I don't know exactly how many candidates there were, but I am positive it was over 120.

We were given all the same flowers foliage and supplies and four hours to complete five floral pieces:

                1) a bridesmaid's hand-tied bouquet
              2) a best man's boutonniere
              3) a casket cover
              4) a hospital piece for a teenager
              5) a designer's choice piece

The time flew by and my stress level was amazingly high. It was both frightening and exhilarating. It was similar to competition, but at AES you are only competing against yourself. The pieces are evaluated (not judged) by AIFD members. The scoring determines whether you will be accredited or not. Let me just say I was so glad it wasn't a competition. The creativity displayed by the participants was mind boggling. You can simply not pay for a better class. After we finished our AES we were allowed to walk around and peek at the other candidate's work. AMAZING!! You all know how draining the creative process is. Judging from the plethora of gorgeous designs that surrounded us, these designers were surely exhausted. I was really happy with the pieces I submitted. Unfortunately, we will not find out until September if we made the cut.

I made many new friends and the networking opportunities are fantastic. The dinner/dance events are fabulous and the programs presented are top notch. If you have ever even considered attending, I urge you to do yourself a favor and go. Even if you are not doing the AES, the educational opportunities alone are worth ten times the price. I came home totally rejuvenated and inspired. This is where the epiphany came in. I'd always loved floral design, but it was at AIFD that I decided I will love flowers and floral design for the rest of my life!! I will definitely look forward to my response from AIFD with great anticipation. Regardless of the outcome, I will attend the AIFD symposium every year for the rest of my life.
YES !! IT IS THAT GREAT !! Those of you that shared it with me...Thanks for an awesome time and those of you that didn't get to go I strongly urge you to set the time aside for next year's symposium. I truly hope to see you there!!

On another personal note, it is my great honor to tell you I will be chairing the floral designer of the year Houston Cup Competition this October. Contestants, if you are thinking about competing, don't give it another thought. I promise you, it is an awesome experience and it will help you grow as a designer. I strongly encourage you to give it a shot.

Now on to our design of the month. The floral arrangement we are featuring this month would be suitable for many different occasions. Start by filling the container with soaked floral foam . This design begins with a dramatic vertical thrust of bamboo or river cane as the first insertions. The bamboo is inserted in staggered heights. Pave' the circumference of the container with red carnations pushed in deep to cover the foam and the thrust of bamboo. On the right side, insert four roses also in a staggered fashion with the lowest one resting directly above the paved carnations. Finally, insert three stems of lilies opposite the roses, being careful to remove the lower bloom on each stem. These three blooms are used to establish a strong focal point. This floral arrangement uses no foliage. Therefore, the perceived value is heightened. This design is beautiful and versatile. Think hospital, office, even sympathy (for the registry table). Its clean lines will make it a sure hit in the most sophisticated circumstances.

We have reached the end of another column. It is my sincerest wish that you are enjoying reading these articles as much as I enjoy writing them. Until next month, please direct all questions or comments concerning this column and its contents to alextorrestmf@aol.com.

Allied Florists of Houston
c/o Taylor Wholesale Florist
1601 West 21st Street
Houston, TX 77008
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Allied Florists of Houston

The Association of Professional Florists

Focus on Design
AIFD National Symposium
by Alex Torres AIFD TMF

Allied Florists of Houston

The Association of Professional Florists

Focus on Design AIFD National Symposium by Alex Torres AIFD TMF

Focus on Design
AIFD National Symposium
by Alex Torres AIFD TMF