“Flowers have always been a great passion of mine

Last year was a very busy year with the World Championship. Then, in January, the Dutch Championship and demonstrations. It’s time to tell the stories!

After all these big events, it’s time to look back. It takes a lot of energy and time to work on these events. As well, I am thinking about my future as a florist. The first thing you think after a big event is rest and sleep. Then, after a few days, it’s starts to wake up again. The feeling to compete and join competition. I won’t give up! First, it’s time to tell the stories!

My floral lifestyle is colourful, vivid and decorative..

‘I focus on working with flowers in a decorative way’

Hi! I am Melissa Smedes and I work as a florist for 5 years now. I like to challenge myself by participating in competitions. I’ve got a great passion for flowers and creative being. I worked for 2 years during a practical session at Florist Hans Zijlstra’s flowershop (Bloemstylist Hans Zijlstra – Home (bloemen-zijlstra.nl) and helped him prepare designs for competitions, worked with Hans on large flower designs for the trade fair in Aalsmeer.

My biggest challenge so far was the World Cup 2023 | Best Floral Design Competition | Interflora

Get inspired…

I live in the north of the Netherlands. In fact, I am a ‘small town girl’. Living in the north of the Netherlands means you live close to nature. And that means a lot to me. It is a quiet area, surrounded by meadows and forests.

I love anything creative – from visiting hobby fairs, designing greetings cards and creating jewellery. Inspiration is always the drive to start with new things! I use this creativity in my floral designs.