In luxury floral design, a few names, such as May Chester, capture the essence of cross-cultural elegance and artistic precision. With a journey that spans continents, from the rich floral traditions of Thailand to the sophisticated event landscapes of the United States, May brings an inimitable blend of heritage, creativity, and soul to her floral artistry. Dive into her story and the amazing table setting created with Rosaprima exclusive roses.
Your journey as a florist has taken you across different countries. Can you tell us about your experience working with flowers in Thailand and how does it compare to your experience in the US?
In Thailand, flowers imbue all elements of life – celebrations, festivals and religious ceremonies. We have beautiful native flowers like Orchids and jasmines. Flowers embrace the space and the people, sometimes worn as garlands. Flowers are not only contained in vases but are often presented in hanging arrangements. This inspired my free-flowing design style, where the floral arrangement extends through the space with an all-encompassing, luxuriant impact.
What initially sparked your passion for floral design, and how did you turn that passion into a career?
As a child, I loved fruit carving, a centuries-old Thai tradition. Often the fruits are carved into floral arrangements. It requires patience, precision, and delicacy. To get started, I attended several workshops and was fortunate to learn from some of the top floral designers in the world. Then, lots and lots of practice! My career took off once I started doing weddings and events and people experienced my work.
You recently created a tablescape with our newest Rosaprima varieties. What was your inspiration behind the design, and how did those roses influence your creative process?
There was a luxurious mix of roses that had high vibrance, deep saturation, and subtle contrast. This mix inspired an arrangement I intended to be an upbeat celebration of spring, conveying royalty and elegance. The roses, ranunculus, and anemone included apricot and soft orange with delicate petals (Elegance Salmone), the tight, layered, creamy classic (Cloni Ranunculus), neutral-toned feminine delicacy (RP Lady Eva), and pulsating magenta with a dark-eyed center (Levante Fuschia Anemone).
Floral design is both an art and a craft. How has your journey shaped your unique style, and what advice would you give to aspiring florists looking to find their own voice in the industry?
Be humble and learn from others, but find your voice and build your style. Demand perfection from every arrangement. The point is not to be transactional and put centerpieces on a table, but to design an atmosphere and an experience. Let your work speak for itself. As people experience and love your work, the word will spread.
Indeed, this commitment to excellence, emotion, and individuality has made May Chester a rising star in luxury floral design. Get to know more about her here: may_chesterdesign
Explore our curated collection of premium roses here: https://www.rosaprima.com/cata...
