New York floral arrangements that perfectly match my taste and sensibility

—What led you to flowers?

I started arranging flowers as a hobby while attending graduate school. Floral arrangement has rules for creating shapes, which I found mathematically interesting. I attended a long-established floral arrangement school in Roppongi as one of my extracurricular activities.

—And that's when you decided to become a professional?

I decided to quit my job and become a professional in 2000. I spent three years in Japan raising my child, and then established "FLORALUXE" in Washington D.C. in 2005.
I was busy every day, teaching in New York, setting up a school in Washington, participating in contests, and giving interviews.

—Please tell us about the characteristics of New York-style arrangements.

New York is the center of global business, a city of rapid speed and swirling positive energy. The style favored by its novelty-loving, fickle residents differs from that of Paris; it's characterized by impactful, modern colors and designs.

There are two keywords.
One is edgy and luxurious design.
The other is novel, bold, and assertive design that conveys a sense of masculine strength.

These are expressed through a combination of material texture and color harmony.

I want to convey that there are better ways to combine and use flowers

—What are you doing now?

I have now established the "NY Flower School," which offers a curriculum focused on the essence and techniques of New York high-style floral design. We have schools in Roppongi Hills and Minami-Aoyama.
In the future, we plan to focus on wedding and event production, including overall space design, in collaboration with interior designers.
Furthermore, there are plans for a new type of finishing school, where we aim to propose new ways of living and lifestyles for modern, globally active women.

—What is the "allure of flowers" for you?

Flowers give people power. For me, it's more about power than healing.
Therefore, I want people to feel positive energy from my creations and to entrust their messages to flowers when giving them as gifts.

—You were drawn to the "New York style," but what are your thoughts on how Japanese people interact with flowers?

Japanese people have a unique culture of "wabi-sabi," and perhaps due to the influence of ikebana, their interaction with flowers is very serene. It might be in our DNA to appreciate delicate flowers blooming in the wild.
I want to convey to everyone that designed flowers possess a power that transcends nature. Also, with the increasing diversity of interior design today, I hope people will enjoy arrangements where flowers become the centerpiece.

The Charm of Preserved Flowers

—This time, you are selling preserved flowers on the web shopping site rumors.

Preserved flowers are recognized by women, but I want men to also know their appeal and ease of use.
Preserved flowers are complete creations that continue to bloom for many years. Overseas, they are often used to decorate vacation homes instead of fresh flowers.

—The color coordination is superb.

Precisely because they are artificial, the color combinations can be unique.
I approach their creation with the mindset of making an objet d'art, paying particular attention to color schemes and materials.
When creating them, I incorporate the concept of "LUXE." For example, I might use luxurious velvet ribbons, incorporate pearls or crystals, or use Swarovski beads, pursuing a meticulously calculated beauty.
They are perfect not only as a substitute for fresh flowers but also as gifts for busy individuals.

—I see.

When given to a woman, I think she would be delighted, as if she received jewelry.

—Now, your series in OPENERS is titled "Floral Arrangement for Men."

I hope to convey the charm of flowers, making them more accessible to men, so they can enjoy giving and receiving them, whether for themselves or for a wonderful partner.