Adornment v investment
Royal wedding florist Shane Connolly says his industry is in debt to nature so must become more sustainable. Katie Newton reports
Very few of us know what it’s like to have our work seen by hundreds of millions of people. But United Kingdom florist Shane Connolly does. He designed the avenue of English field maple and hornbeam trees that lined Westminster Abbey at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s 2011 royal wedding, which was watched by people all around the globe.
The bouquet he designed for the bride to carry was also a hot topic of discussion, from the size of it (modest) to the symbolism of what it contained (lily of the valley meaning ‘‘a return to happiness’’ and sweet william – for obvious reasons.)
And while Connolly can’t give specific details of the brief he got from William and Kate for their big day, he can say it was designed to be ‘‘as environmentally sustainable as possible’’. The flowers and foliage were locally sourced and most of it was still growing, so it could be replanted afterwards. Environmental sustainability has become a hallmark of Connolly’s work.
During his career, that now spans more than 25 years, he has also written four books and now holds a royal warrant of appointment to HRH the Prince of Wales. Next month Connolly will be at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, to share his floral design tips for stylish celebrations.
He talks style, celebrating and repaying our debt to nature.
A little foraging and a few garden visits can result in a special design. Shane Connolly
How do you describe your creative style?
‘‘I like to respond to a setting and a person. I’m not one for designing in isolation – the ‘‘Instagram’’ moment sort of thing. I’m happiest when the client feels a strong ownership of the finished event and is complimented on their style rather than mine.
‘‘I like to work closely with my clients and let the scheme develop organically rather than trying to recreate anything seen in a photograph. As a result, my style is rather eclectic and quirky. But always the seasons and locality are at the basis of everything I do, and nature and the environment are the constant considerations.’’
How has it evolved?
‘‘I think it has developed rather consistently towards a total certainty that we have to protect nature first and foremost – and that doesn’t always lie happily with the events industry and its love of excess. But floral design is all about a natural product, so we are in nature’s debt.
‘‘I would say that the years have given me more confidence to try to lead clients towards more ecofriendly designs than when I first started in the business.
‘‘If the flowers have a carbon footprint larger than a small African continent and are arranged in floral foam [a non-biodegradable plastic byproduct] then the message is confused. I want to show people that it is possible to make designs which are sustainable too. And equally, if not more, sensationally beautiful.’’
What trends can you predict for the future?
‘‘I’d repeat my eco message and say that I see floral design going back to basics with seasonal, local ingredients and foam-free designs. We’re all aware that time is running out.’’
What are your top tips for designing flowers for entertaining at home?
‘‘Keep it simple! Try plants – you can do these ahead of time and avoid lots of last-minute panic. Or integrate bowls of seasonal fruits and vegetables to really give a talking point.
‘‘Using specimen vases can also be a lovely way to shoe off single flowers in a botanical way along a table, and keep the quantities needed small.’’
What are your favourite flowers?
‘‘Seasonal local ones. Preferably from a garden rather than cultivated. And ‘of the place’ too. Wherever I have been, I have found things I never expected to find. A little bit of foraging and a few garden visits can really result in a special design.’’
What is the biggest event you have worked on?
‘‘A massive wedding in India probably was the largest from a flower and logistic point of view. We had 75 Indian florists working on it with us.’’
Hear more from Shaun Connolly at Stylish Celebrations, a weekend of food, flowers and entertaining, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, August 10-12.