The Flower Expert – Fleur McHarg
“Since I can remember I have always loved flowers. When I was very young I would spend hours in the garden making make believe food out of mud, leaves and flowers.” – Fleur McHarg
I was lucky enough to interview the wonderful Melbourne Florist, Fleur McHarg. Check out our interview below:
- Tell us about yourself
My name is Fleur McHarg and I am 47 years old. I am a passionate, creative, hard-working, and some would say, crazy woman – who is slightly OCD when it comes to anything visual. I have two beautiful children, Milly; a 16-year-old, who is a determined, caring, funny and loyal cheeky teen, and Archie; a handsome, divine, empathetic soul who makes a lasting impression on all who meet him.
My family and friends are everything to me and are the people who make me laugh, (which I believe is the best medicine in the world), every day! I am very spiritual and love astrology. I love reading Tarot cards and the more I do this the better I am getting at opening myself up and listening to my guides. I love to travel and look after those around me. Most of my days revolve around understanding planetary activity, and colour is my world.
- Have you always been in love with flowers, or was that something you grew into?
Since I can remember I have always loved flowers. When I was very young I would spend hours in the garden making imaginary food out of mud, leaves and flowers. I would have a table set up under a tree in summer in the back yard and laid upon the table would be a scrumptious feast of mud cakes, elaborately adorned with pale blue hydrangea florets and pale pink rose petals. Flowers have always been the element of colour for me, when I was young, it was the food in make-believe games. I had no idea then that the main element of my imaginary gastronomic feasts would mould my entire life.
- Did having such an influential and artistic great Aunt in Madge Garland help develop your creativity?
Yes. I am fortunate enough to have creativity on both sides of my family. I grew up knowing my Aunty on my Dad’s side achieve incredible things such as Chief Fashion Editor for British Vogue and famously told Virginia Wolfe how to dress. Madge was bold and a stand alone of her generation, introducing the likes of Cecil Beaton and Man Ray into Fashion Photography. Madge founded the first fashion course at the Royal College of Art in London. She battled to have fashion design taken seriously.
I have seen similarities with Madge and myself in the sense that flowers (and the world of flowers) is not taken seriously as a form of art. Most people can’t tell the difference between a very mediocre arrangement, which has no colour balance, depth, or movement.
As flowers are things that everyone loves “just because” but when you look at my world the way in which I do, I can immediately see if a florist has a natural ability of not only floral arranging but of someone who understands it on a deeper level. Like Madge, I desperately want people to become more aware of the art of flowers. Not only was my Great Aunt Madge Garland, but also my mother is Wendy Mead The Milliner. Growing up with an incredibly hard-working extraordinarily talented woman can’t help but rub off onto you in some way. I would spend hours playing with the finest of satins and laces from Europe. As a child, the influence of colour played an integral role.
My mother taught me about Line, Shape and Form, her passion and brilliance in her field showcased to me from a young age, that to have a talent is not enough… hard work, dedication, and loneliness are the most important elements of being the best at your chosen field. Strong, creative and visionary women are the people that have shaped me the most.
- What was the moment that made you realize you wanted to be a Floral Designer and Event Stylist?
Almost 30 years ago my art folio came top 6 in the state. As a result, I was asked by a paint company to travel around the world with other artists to create mural paintings in Japan and Europe. While I was living in Austria, I was painting a mural on the walls of the marquee. As the flowers arrived and were placed on each of the tables in the marquee I was far from impressed. I knew I could improve on what was delivered, so I re-did each centrepiece – creating something memorable and unique. I have been doing this ever since.
- What is your most treasured memory that your career has helped you achieve?
I look back and have so many wonderful crazy images in my head of people and places and events that I have worked on over the last 26 years. I couldn’t pinpoint any particular moment or event, as to me every job or memory I have is not of what I did – it is of the people that I was either beside or met while doing jobs…. people are the most important aspects of this job for me.
- Who is someone who inspires you and your work?
My very dear friend Pino Grigio, Hendrix and Pimms in Spring and Summer. Winter and Autumn, I am partial to Bailey, Frangelico. This is what inspires me. I am not an alcoholic by any means. Full stop! End of story!
- If you were not in your current occupation, what would you spend your time doing?
I can’t imagine not doing what I do but I suppose I could see myself becoming a Tarot reader.
- What is your dream event to style?
There are not many types of events that I haven’t styled, and I love them all. An intimate dinner party with world leaders can be just as inspiring and rewarding to style as an event for thousands, or a stunning intimate wedding. I am always genuinely humbled by the continued interest and enormous support from across the globe.
After such a long time in the industry, people know what I can do and what beautifully and artistically arranged flowers can do to an event. I would love to be able to expand on the incredible events I have been privileged enough to be part of, but confidentiality is a very important part of my role that I respect enormously.
- What is your favourite piece you have designed?
My 900-piece gold share is pretty amazing and something I am very proud of! I also designed and managed a wedding in Nagambie. I built and installed ‘The Glasshouse’ which was a clear marquee designed by me. So many elements to consider including the extreme heat of the Victorian Summer. I was thrilled with the final result. As you can see in the photos attached it was Belgium inspired.
- Where do you see yourself ideally in 5 years?
I can still see myself still delivering creativity to my clients, but I can also see myself taking on a greater mentoring role to young florists at the beginning of their journey. It is so important to me to make sure the message of excellent quality, attention to detail and creativity and not lost.