Mantas Petruškevičius

MB Manto projektai

Flower designer

©AA Studio

Making tears of joy

Mantas is master of romantic arrangements
His style is maximumist, almost baroque
In his opinion, floristry is very similar to haute couture

"Enough with minimalism" says Mantas Petruškevičius. When the Lithuanian wedding and event floral artist – internationally known for his lavish arrangements – talks about his style, the word he uses is the opposite! "I would define it maximum-ist! The flowers should froth like a rivulet, or a waterfall. Only in this way you can create a vital atmosphere. If I lived in the Baroque era, I would definitely feel in my shoes." Not something you would expect from a guy who grew up in a cold, northern country, where nature is all but luxuriant. "Yet, I’ve always cherished those brief moments, in spring, when the snowdrops emerge from the snow, and then come tulips, daffodils, roses, lilacs and many others. It's usually short, but what an ineffable beauty!"

Interview

©AA Studio

©AA Studio

How did you begin working with flowers?: At 16, I created my first clothing collection from mosses and lichens. Then I worked for seven years as a TV clothing stylist. But flowers haunted me, enchanting me with their scents, sometimes sinking me into a romantic nostalgia. In the end, I determined that floristry was my way.
Why did you call your brand Flower Couture?: There’s a strong connection between floristry and haute couture. Both are based on handmade craftsmanship and mastery. A haute couture collection requires special setting, light, music and audience, similarly my floral ideas require special architectural space, light and audience.
What do you love about weddings?: Emotions. People's reactions are the greatest reward for my work. There’s nothing as moving as the tears of joy when a bride sees the decorated environment. When I manage to turn, say, an old barn into a palace, I feel endless creative satisfaction.
How would you describe your creative process?: First, I observe the place of the wedding: if it’s small, I'll use three kinds of flowers, but if it’s big, thirty could be too few. What is important is for the blossoms to be many and massive. As for inspiration, it’s unpredictable: it may come from the street, from a journey or from an old movie.

Mantas Petruškevičius is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2007