By Tricia Won AIFD EMC IMF, South Central Region Member
I had the honor last month to participate as a designer in the 26th years festival Hoogstraten in Vegetables and Flowers. The festival was held in Hoogstraten Belgium ion September 19-22, 2025. The creative team was led by the creative director, Master Florist, Tom De Houwer. Seventeen designers from all over the world and 130 volunteers participated. I was joined by my friend and fellow AIFD member Toni Tibbots. We both designed two large scale installations for the festival.
We began working on Tuesday morning 9/16/25 and finished Thursday evening when our designs were moved to the Main Street by the technical crew. There were 33 designs in the festival that thousands of people came to see.
The concept, sketches and technical information for my two designs were completed in February 2025. All of the botanicals used in my designs were donated by local growers, Ansu Vanda and Decorum.
The inspiration for my designs came from the desire to show positivity, happiness and inspiration.
The first design, entitled “Limitless” was designed in a custom made open box. Leaves were layered and glued along the back wall. An infinity symbol was carved into the box and filled with yellow dahlias and purple ornamental cabbage. Light colored phalenopsis orchids danced along the front of the design from fishing line. Fun fact it took me and my team almost 2 days to glue all of the leaves.
My second design, entitled “Floral Rhaphsody”. Was designed on lengths of bundled bamboo hanging from a wooden frame. Vanda orchids, gloriosa lilies, dahlias and lily grass were placed in water tubes on both sides of the hanging bamboo. Garlands of mini orange peppers were intertwined amongst the flowers. We glued orange cherry tomatoes to both sides of the black frame. This design was truly a fear for the eyes, bold and vibrant!!
Toni Tibbots also had two pieces- the first the sun and the earth and the second a sculptural piece using large wood discs.
It was such a joy to participate in this festival. What a great opportunity to grow in my creativity and skills, inspire others and give back.
