Astounding dem from Hanneke Frankema
If audience feedback is anything to go by Hanneke Frankema's show at the World Cup Floral Art set the design bar to new heights as Caroline Marshall - Foster explains.
I am not often lost for words but watching Hanneke Frankema’s presentation at the World Cup Floral Art last week didn’t just make me shed a tear (well several actually) but sit open-mouthed as minute by minute the show unfolded with an ever-increasing range of stunning designs.
But whilst the floristry was out of this world and showed why the show had been 18 months in the making, I was equally enthralled by Hanneke’s passion, kindness, strength of belief and a desire to embrace every part of the industry.
Because Growth didn’t just chart her career – it all started with a Passionflower when she was a little girl - and how she became the youngest ever Master Florist after seven years of study – but was a chance for her to speak eloquently about the florist’s role as well, their importance and their ability to connect, using a quote that she asked the audience to share and which went viral overnight.
She talked about sustainability and the positive steps the industry is taking and why we shouldn’t be afraid to talk confidently about the constant improvements happening, both at grower level as well as within the sundries world – here she paid special tribute to Smithers Oasis and the launch of its Renewal foam.
She paid tribute to all the contestants – she was a winner back in 2022 so knew the pressure – and in particular wished her friend and UK contestant Joseph Massie good wishes following the illness that had forced him out of the competition. Most of all she emphasised how vital it was to nurture our youth to ensure the future of our industry.
At which point she brought on stage 7 young florists who are part of the Dutch Young Floral Talents team who worked with Hanneke on the show preparation. Each created their own design and oh wow what designs they were … I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of them in the coming years!
The arrival of a model wearing a floral gown could have been seen as the finale but whilst absolutely stunning - the skirt must have been at least 3 metres wide, and the corset was made from 3000 seed heads - it was the chandelier that stunned the crowd.
One of her trademark designs, it featured wirework of the most exquisite level and was lowered onto the stage to an audible gasp amongst the 1200 strong audience. But if we were thrilled by that, nothing prepared any of us for the arrival of 7 more, equally huge chandeliers that slowly descended to a crescendo of music. A ‘drop’ that will surely go down in history as one of the most spectacular endings to a show and which rightly resulted in a standing ovation.
To be honest there are no words that will truly describe her show … it really was a case of you had to be there. What I would say is if you get a chance to see Hanneke or can attend one of her courses do it. Because she isn’t just a fabulous designer but a pretty fabulous person as well. In my opinion a true Ambassador for the art of floristry and all that it means.
