Frédéric Dupré

Flower designer

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Extra-terrestrial floristry

Frédéric is internationally known and celebrated for his atypical style
He’s extremely versatile and never does the same thing twice
Texture is the most important aspect of his arrangements

The youthful Frédéric Dupré had just obtained his degree in floristry when his teacher pushed him to enter the competition for 'the best apprentice in France'. "She had almost to trick me into it. But she proved right, as I won the gold medal!" Plenty of other awards followed, including Meilleur Ouvrier de France (effectively the 'Best Flower Designer in France' and the most prestigious title for flower designers) in 2011, and then in 2015 the most prestigious title in France: the World Cup. Today, he is one of the most celebrated and renowned flower masters not just in his country but in the world, he has worked everywhere from Latin America to East Asia as well as teaching at the prestigious Sikastone Flower Art School in Beijing. "I still have a small atelier in my basement, but the real one is on the move, in the places where I am invited to work and teach, but also in hotel rooms and planes. I always carry a notebook with me to jot down any ideas or inspirations."

Interview

©FLOOS

©FLOOS

How would you define your style?: It is not easy to frame, because I never do the same thing twice. My creativity is overflowing and I am so different from all my colleagues, so atypical, that I’ve been called 'the extra-terrestrial of floristry'. Another name I’ve been given is 'the little Dalì of flowers' because of my surrealist twist.
What are the most crucial aspects of your arrangements?: Shape, geometry and, above all, texture. The latter is even more important to me than colour, because it’s the means by which colour can be revealed. Technique, in general, is primary: it’s wrong to put creativity first. Floristry has its rules and you need to master them before being innovative.
Do you have a favourite flower to work with?: I love pansies because they are timeless, traditional and contemporary at the same time. And fragile, too: a perfect symbol of the ephemeral art of floristry. Yet, in my arrangements I can use any flower bar none. The good professional is the one who knows no limits.
Do you feel more French or international, artistically speaking?: I am an international florist with a French soul. I cannot forget my background, but working abroad has turned me into a chameleon who can meet each and every taste. I am very flexible. For the same reason, huge installations and small works are equally interesting to me.

Frédéric Dupré is a master artisan: he began his career in 2000 and he started teaching in 2005