Milena Orlandi: Transforming flowers into art and emotion
Creativity and visual art: discover the world of the contemporary designer Milena Orlandi at MADRID BLOOMS.
How did you start in the world of floral design? What was your first job?
I began studying floral art in 2015, somewhat coincidentally. I was searching for creative outlets that brought me joy, and a friend recommended a flower introduction course. It started as a hobby, a therapeutic endeavor, and unexpectedly evolved into a passion. As demand grew from outside my immediate circle in São Paulo, I decided to open my studio. My first official job was for a friend who wanted to give a bouquet as a gift.
Are there specific themes, colors, or elements you are repeatedly drawn to in your work?
Color is crucial for me—I love soft tones with contrast. I enjoy playing with color palettes. I'm also fond of repetitive materials, transforming a single element into a mass of flowers or more specific shapes. At the school, I utilize leftover materials from students' classes to recycle into my projects.
Who or what are your main sources of inspiration in the world of floral design?
Ikebana is a strong visual inspiration for me, providing a wealth of knowledge. My entire floral art career has been deeply influenced by Ikebana—it's an incredible source of knowledge.
Are there other artists or designers, not necessarily in the floral industry, who inspire your work?
I'm passionate about the arts, finding interest in every movement. Impressionist color palettes, for example, intrigued me. Discovering that floral art could draw inspiration from broader artistic movements motivated me. I'm inspired by the surrealism movement, particularly René Magritte and Man Ray.
What has been the most significant learning experience in your career as a floral designer?
Being in contact with other designers is always a fount of knowledge. Everyone works differently, and you learn a lot from teamwork and collaboration. Teaching has been one of the most significant experiences in my career—it was a way to learn more about my own work. Teaching forced me to understand how I work, and I learn a great deal from my students as well.
Could you highlight one of your favorite floral design projects and what made it special for you? What was your last project?
I've enjoyed many projects here at the school, using materials from classes without restrictions, which brings me a lot of excitement. I prefer working without limitations. My last project was a small sculpture using leftover materials from students' classes last week. The latest project I worked on was the publication of the book "Spores."
Is there an event or client that stands out as especially rewarding in your memory?
When I had my studio in São Paulo, I did everything myself. I started alone, delivering flowers to clients. It was very rewarding because I accompanied the entire process, from someone wanting to send a bouquet to delivering the gift and seeing the joy on the recipient's face.
"Teaching has been one of the most significant experiences in my career—it was a way to learn more about my own work".
Are there emerging trends or innovative techniques that you find particularly exciting?
The challenge remains in finding techniques that provide water sustainably. This is what excites me the most—searching for a way to keep flowers hydrated without causing harm to the environment. There's still much research to be done for more sustainable techniques to develop.
What specific sustainable practices do you incorporate into your daily work as a floral designer?
I work a lot with Kenzans, Flower Frog pieces, and chicken wire mesh. However, for larger installations, finding sustainable methods becomes more complicated. It's a controversial topic, but the flower industry has a significant environmental impact. We have to do something to reduce this impact and respect nature. Florists need to be aware of this.
When people experience your floral designs, what message or emotion do you hope they take away?
I don't know how people perceive my work. For me, it's about revisiting my creativity, having the freedom to create beautiful things, and experimenting. I do it because it makes me happy—it's a game for me. It's my essence. I immerse myself in a world to challenge space and materials. I hope to convey that essence—the joy of the game and experimentation.
Milena Orlandi is one of the designers joining us at MADRID BLOOMS on the 20th of February 2024.
