Press Release – Tracey Goes Euro Florist & Wholesaler Buyer April 2000

'Tracey Goes Euro' Florist & wholesaler buyer - April 2000

Working with the worlds Very Best Florists!

After Tracey worked with Jouni Seppanen he was keen to have her work in his shop, and travel to Finland, an offer Tracey grabbed with both hands.

Finish Master Florist

Jouni ran a workshop for the society of floristry which saw a room full of the great and good of British floristry being taken out of their comport zone and learn new techniques and ways of thinking as Jouni generously shared his knowledge.  Tracey was not only at this workshop but working shoulder to shoulder with this amazing designer, under his close tutelage she prepared the work for his designs.

International Designers

Tracey along side other British Florist Neil Whittaker & Karen Lamb, and a team of Finish florist produced a huge range of Christmas designs.  Jouni’s shop ‘Runebergin Kukka’ which is located in the central street of Helsinki, was previously a bank, this three store building, a huge space lends it’s self to the wonderful designs that were created.

The Best of the Best

Linda Johnsen tutored the wedding designs workshop.   Tracey & Neil returned in January to work with a team of International designers and many Finish Master Florists to create a collection of bridal bouquets for the catwalk show of Finland’s Largest wedding fair.

Norwegian Master Florist

Linda Johnsen is a highly accomplished designer a leading name in Norwegian Floristry that again gave her time and knowledge to ensure the very best work was created, ensuring Tracey and the other team members were challenged to push themselves and the boundaries, ensuring that new concepts were discovered.  As if the Christmas designs hadn’t opened Tracey’s eyes to new possibilities enough, again her mind was racing as so many ideas that were being taken in, design styles the like of the UK has never seen before, truly inspirational!  This journey has always stayed with Tracey, shaping her to always challenge herself and Floristry design ideas.

Article in easy to read format;

Tracey goes Euro

It was quite a winter for Hampshire florist Tracey Griffin, who had the chance to work alongside world-class designers Jouni Seppanen (the Finnish champion) and Linda Johnsen (Norwegian champion) in Helsinki. Tracey visited Finland on two occasions, in November and January, and she says the experience has hugely broadened her floristry horizons.

She first met Jouni in April last year when she assisted him at the Society of Floristry’s workshop, prior to the weekend that saw her win the National Skill Florist 1999 competition.

Her first trip to Finland in November was with leading UK florists Neil Whittaker and Karen Lamb, when Tracey helped them in producing Christmas designs and window displays at Jouni’s larger shop, Runebergin Kukka.

Then in January, Tracey Griffin and Neil Whittaker returned to Finland to help design wedding bouquets alongside a team of Finnish Master Florists. The designs were for Finland’s largest wedding fair, presented by international catwalk models wearing the latest designer dresses.

Runebergin Kukka and Greenhouse Hana held the rights to the prestigious show, which saw over 5,000 visitors through the doors over two days. Tracey described her week there as “a huge education and a wonderful experience. Although all the compering of the show was in Finnish, Tracey picked up the word “Englanda” when her bouquet was on stage and said: “It was such a thrill to see my work up there. “

Above: Tracey …thrilled to be an “Englanda”.