I attended a two-hour workshop at Anthropologie in the Kings Road, London, with Vic Brotherson of Scarlet and Violet, a London florist. I found out about this workshop — part of the Chelsea Flower Show — through the Anthropologie mailing list.
Each of the 40 participants this evening had the chance to create either a hand-tied bunch or an arrangement in a lovely glass jar. We were given the most gorgeous selection of flowers which we could take home as well as the jar. We were plied with rosé Prosecco and canapés and, of course, we were in the beautiful surroundings of Anthropologie.
Guided by London florist, Vic Brotherson
My arrangement, originally a hand-tied bunch, let loose in a jar.
Vic Brotherson is unique in the way she creates simply stunning arrangements and wedding flowers in the most natural way. She has published two books — Vintage Flowers and Vintage Wedding Flowers — both of which I featured in an earlier blog post. These books are absolute must-haves. As well as being beautiful books they also teach you the skills you need to transform a bunch of flowers into something stunning.
I trained and worked as a florist years ago and I was keen to update my skills, but more importantly I wanted to see Vic in action as I have read and heard so much about her.
She is inspirational and breaks most of the formal flower arranging rules which is what sets her apart from other florists. I love the way she allows flowers and foliage to retain their identity and to complement each other in the most natural way. She is also funny, charismatic and charming and I could have listened to her for hours.
Scarlet and Violet pop-up shop in Anthropologie for the Chelsea Flower Show week.
The flowers set up in Anthropologie waiting for the workshop to start
Some of the bunches of flowers that we were given to work with
One of the tables set up for our workshop
Vic started the evening by making this stunning arrangement in a large green glass pickle jar. She is using huge stems of beech
One of the Scarlet and Violet staff carries away Vic's beautiful creation
Then Vic showed us how to create a hand-tied bunch
Then it was our turn to try and emulate what Vic had taught us!!
Some of the vases of flowers on the stand. Love the roses
The beautiful green arrangement that Vic created