We Asked a Florist to Create a Bouquet Inspired by our New Colors

Beautiful as they are ephemeral, flowers are a sign of the changing seasons and a powerful pronunciation of feelings — from love to gratitude to loss. They’re the subject of still lifes and famous paintings (Monet and Georgia O’Keefe come to mind) and can light up a room. 

This time of year, their tiny sprouts are a pleasant reminder of the warm months ahead and the inspiration behind our latest color refresh, which is saturated with delicate lavender and buttery sunflower hues. 

(Becky wearing the LuxeLift Tank in Painted Bloom)

Recently, we ventured to Toronto floral studio, Blush & Bloom, to have our new spring palette transformed into a lush flower arrangement, courtesy of shop owner and florist-extraordinaire Becky De Oliveira. Using our new bras, underwear, bodysuits, and tanks as inspiration, she seamlessly assembled a stunning bouquet — and let us ask every question we could think of about flowers.

Do you remember your first encounter with florals or plants as a kid?

I don’t remember an exact moment, but I feel like we were always destined to be together! I grew up in rural Nova Scotia. My mom is an avid gardener and grows everything, so I feel like I was bred to do this from birth. 

I remember she would have me weeding her garden and picking wildflowers to make bouquets at our family cottage. She would pick roses from her garden and place them around our house. I really was always surrounded by nature in every form, growing up beside the ocean.

When did you realize being a florist was your calling? 

(Becky wearing the LuxeLift Tank in Painted Bloom)

I would safely say at the ripe age of 6 as a flower girl in a handful of family weddings. But as a teenager, I knew I would forego university to pursue my love of flower shops and floral design. My family was super supportive of my decision and it felt natural — like it came as no shock that this was my path.

How would you describe your floral design style?

I think Blush and Bloom, naturally, is an extension of me. Modern meets wild, unexpected palettes presented in a playful way. I love that our range can encapsulate both a garden-style approach, as well as a more modern and structured design. I love a bold moment with an uber-neutral concept. I love that juxtaposition and really strive for it in my floral design and bloom selections.

Florals are such a beautiful way of expressing emotions. How do you approach creating arrangements for different occasions?

(Becky wearing the LuxeLift Tank in Painted Bloom)

I learned from a mentor at a young age that as florists “we sell emotion,” and I’m yet to find a better way to describe what I do. Personally, it’s important to connect with my client and the “why” behind the occasion in order to convey what they are feeling, or what they are hoping to express to others. 

Throughout your career, what’s the most surprising thing you've learned about flowers?

(The LuxeLift Bra in Sunflower and Leakproof Cheeky Underwear in Painted Bloom)

I learn something new every day, but learning to translate emotions through flowers has been crucial. I’m often surprised when people ax certain varieties of flowers based on traditional notions without fully understanding how they’re used. 

Flowers can be surprisingly versatile considering how fleeting they are. The process of flowers from growth to table is pretty incredible. The fact that we only get to enjoy them for a mere 5 to 7 days is a gift — and we shouldn’t expect anything more from them. 

We wish bouquets lasted forever — do you have any tips for getting the most out of an arrangement?

Clean water (no murky gunk!), keeping blooms away from direct sun, hot areas, and extreme cold temperatures (like beside a high traffic door in winter) are a few pointers. When purchasing cut flowers from a shop, always cut them with pruners or secateurs (not scissors) before adding them to water, which you should do within 10 seconds.

Clean the vase every 2 to 3 days and add fresh water to help minimize the bacteria content. Some flowers just don’t have long vase lives, so choosing blooms that are long-lasting from the get-go might help avoid disappointment.

What’s your all-time favorite flower?

(The WingWoman Bra and Leakproof Cheeky Underwear in Flower Print)

A mother never picks favorites! (Just kidding.) 

This changes every week, but I usually gravitate toward something underused or super delicate-looking – like spirea or sweet pea. I love black scabiosa, gloriosa, nina (hot red or orange roses are my signature bloom), and fritillaria. I love dainty bits with texture, but I always try to appreciate every variety. Even the simplest variety will often blow me away from time to time.