Interview Conducted by: Louisa Lam AIFD
Name: Wendy Andrade AIFD CFD NDSF FBFA
Hometown & Country: Tunbridge Wells, UK
Current Floral Job: Freelance Designer / Author
Why did you go into the Floral Industry?
I started on my floral journey at the age of 13 as a Saturday girl and loved every minute of it. At the age of 16, I attended the CDT college at St Martins in London to study Visual merchandising for 2 years but kept on my Saturday job.
I embarked on a career dressing stands at Fabric exhibitions all over the UK and was able to enhance the show stands with flowers.
After much consideration, I decided I wanted a formal education in floristry and signed up for a full time course at the local horticultural college and worked hard at gaining all the qualifications that were available.
It rekindled the love with Floristry I had felt at the age of 13 and I knew I wanted to become an educator and share my knowledge and that’s the route I took. During my long career as a floral designer, I have seen many changes over the years within our industry but the one thing that is forever constant is our love of knowledge and education.
Why did you become an AIFD® member?
I remember attending a floral show held here in the UK many years ago hosted by AIFD® at Heathrow and I was really impressed with the ethos and enthusiasm that came across at the presentation and I knew instantly I wanted to become a part of what I felt was a floral family and set my goals on achieving this. AIFD® is indeed a floral family and the ethos for education is contagious and I feel that introduction to AIFD® here in the UK was a pivotal turning point for me within my floral career and I am very proud to be a part of this prestigious group.
What are your plans for flowers in 2023? Goals? Inspirations?
I was extremely lucky and feel very humble that I have had 2 floral books published and been able to share my love of knowledge through these teaching books.
2023 will be the year that I work on my new book venture and looking forward to this new challenge. We are all looking for constant inspiration and having the Interflora world cup happening here in the UK is going to be amazing and I am looking forward to visiting the show and to see designers from all over the world.
