Francine Rizza, of Melbourne Florist predicts that fresh flowers will be a popular choice to adorn hats at the 2006 Melbourne Cup.

Over the past 12 years, Melbourne Florist has been asked to create many fresh flower fashion items for the Melbourne cup including hats adorned with fresh flowers, corsages and of course the traditional button-hole.

Francine continues; my husband Joseph even created a tie for athlete Jai Taurima, made of happy plant leaves and tiny gold rose flowers.

It was a real sensation and caused much discussion among the general public and florists alike. I don't think any florist had created a tie before using leaves and flowers. It was a real hoot!
We soon had recieved order for these ties at our florist in Kew.


We had been asked to create an item in fresh flowers by the National Flower Centre Manager in Melbourne. Unfortunately, they failed to give us the credit so no-one knew that it was created by our florist in Melbourne In Vogue Flowers. Such a pity as we would have had publicity in the Melbourne newspaper "The herald Sun"!

It was supposed to be a promotion for the florist industry and fresh flowers. You have to make sure you receive the credits deserved and be careful as a florist you are not taken advantage of.

I remember years ago, I was asked by a Multi-National Flower Development Company, 'Floragene' to create fresh flower arrangements, for their brochure to be released at the Melbourne flower show. I was shocked to learn, I would not even be credited for the work I had done as well as that I had been expected to do the work for free! As a florist, it was a very big lesson to learn. They did loose though, I was able to prevent them from distributing their brochures. From then on all further work I did in my florist career was by contract.

I remember one year, I created a huge hat made of twigs and decorated entirely in fresh flowers, I used pastel tone flowers in whites and creams.

Since the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, the public are requesting florists, create more fresh flower displays in tropical and Australian native flowers. I think it has been a real boost for the Australian native/tropical flower industry. Australian native flowers are often fairly limited to the local florist due to the fact that most of Australia's native flowers are exported overseas.

I think for the florist, not only do native flowers provide a kaleidoscope of unusual colours they, the florists, love the unique make-up and texture of these flowers. The flowers provide the florist with unique shades of rich tans, browns and limes not easily found in other flowers. They are exciting flowers for a florist to create with. Australian native flowers can be teamed with lime green antherium blooms, heliconias and golden beehive gingers. They make an amazing combination together.

We are finding that brides wish our florists to create something a little different for their wedding. The rich tans of some of the banksia flowers and the vibrant lime antherium flower compliment the popular green bridesmaids dresses which are in fashion today. Brides are now spending less on their dresses and putting more emphases into their bridal flowers and why not, after all it really is the flowers that make the wedding. For the florist this change in trend is fantastic. We florists were really bored with the common rose flower bouquet.

BlueWaterArticles.com: - Shopping Fresh Flower Fashions For The Melbourne Cup

About the Author

The Melbourne flower shop offers a diverse range of stunning fresh flowers to the Melbourne area including interflora.