European Floral Designers

Designer: Pim Van den Akker. Origin: Born 1976, Delft, Netherlands. Work: The Netherlands and worldwide. Materials: Bromeliad, carnation, scabiosa, clematis, dried reeds. He Says: "My inspiration for this hanging piece came from the image of a bull. I wanted to show strength and fragility in the same piece and combined materials to do so. In this piece, I give depth, meaning and symbols that may not be at first recognizable. I like viewers to look and discover my ideas."

Designer: Rob Plattel

Designer: Gil Boyard

Designer: Muriel Le Couls. Origin: Born 1967, Harfleur, France. Work: Paris and worldwide. Materials: Rush, allium. She Says: "This piece is called 'Corset;' it was inspired by haute couture. It is a composition where the botanical material and structure work together. Using a mannequin to carry the piece as I worked, my approach here was a little like a couturier's. Through this symbiotic creative partnership, a harmonious ensemble was created."

Designer: Jacques Castagné. Origin: Born 1962, Saint Céré, France. Work: Paris and worldwide. Materials: Fountain grass, gloriosa lily, sweet pea, switchgrass, allium, coral bead plant. He Says: "This piece was inspired by Cirque Du Soleil's Alegria, which means jubilation. The design, like the show, has its own language, and when I had finished, the materials had transformed themselves into a mad garden or perhaps vegetal fireworks. I was challenged to work with recycled objects, which in this case were glass jars, and I combined them with my floral material."