Blushing Moet honouree
Being fashion-forward and luxe has always been a part of Kelly Karam’s philosophy in her floristry business.
And now the Aucklander is being recognised by French champagne brand Moet & Chandon, which has chosen to honour four fashionable and entrepreneurial Kiwis through an event next week called ‘‘The Now’’.
Public figure and fashion stylist Jaime Ridge, vintage jewellery brand Love & Object owner Constance Cummings and designer Georgia Alice Currie join Karam as honourees.
Being recognised by Moet & Chandon was an honour for Karam.
‘‘When we’re doing flowers they’re often for big events in people’s lives and it’s about celebrating. It’s a nice alignment: flowers and a beautiful French champagne,’’ she said.
Karam ran her business, Blush, from home for 10 years, specialising in bespoke flowers for weddings and events.
She stumbled across a space for lease while having coffee in Parnell and decided to open her first retail store in May this year.
With more than 250 lots of flowers sold through the store each week on top of all the weddings, corporate floral arrangements and dinner parties, Blush is one busy business and one that Karam never really planned to open.
She always wanted to be a fashion designer, but hated the process of making clothes.
After spotting a particularly eyecatching bouquet of flowers in a magazine, she gave floral arrangement a go.
‘‘Once I did I really loved that the creative process was really instant.’’
The floral industry in New Zealand is highly competitive, but Karam said she has always just stuck to her own work and not worried about what was going on around her.
‘‘I think it’s really important not to worry about what others are doing and focus on your own work and creativity.’’