Founder & Creative Director
My love for flowers, plants and the natural world began from a very young age. Growing up on Hayling Island in Hampshire, I spent countless hours with my Grandad, whose allotment in Portsmouth and the gardens he lovingly created at our family homes first introduced me to the changing seasons and the remarkable beauty of the natural world. I can still remember the scent of sweet peas, sweet williams and freesias filling the air, alongside rows of fruit, vegetables and flowers grown with care, patience and purpose.
Those early memories stayed with me. Looking back, I don’t think it was simply the flowers that fascinated me. It was understanding how everything worked together. Watching the seasons change, seeing plants emerge and flourish, and spending time surrounded by nature sparked a curiosity that has remained with me throughout my life.
That curiosity eventually led me into Floristry, where I discovered a profession that felt completely natural to me. I went on to gain my City & Guilds NVQ in Floristry, alongside three years studying Horticulture and Botany. Whilst Floristry taught me the craft, Horticulture deepened my understanding of how plants are cultivated and cared for, and Botany introduced me to the fascinating biological science behind the plant kingdom. The more I learnt, the more I realised that every plant, every flower and every living organism has its own place within the wider natural world.
More than three decades later, I still feel exactly the same. I have always believed there is something new to learn. Every commission, every season and every new botanical material offers another opportunity to deepen my knowledge and continue refining my craft.
Throughout my career I have had the privilege of learning from experienced designers and mentors who encouraged me not only to develop my technical skills, but also to think more deeply about the natural world and the role flowers play within it. One of my mentors had been taught through the ethos of the Constance Spry School, where the belief that everything in nature has a purpose has remained with me throughout my own career. It is a philosophy that continues to influence the way I observe, think and create today.
I’ve always been naturally curious. I enjoy understanding why things are the way they are, whether that’s the remarkable biology of plants, the changing seasons, the behaviour of wildlife or the craftsmanship behind historic architecture. Every experience has taught me something, and every place has offered a new perspective. I believe that observation is one of the greatest gifts a creative person can have, because the more we understand the world around us, the more thoughtfully we can respond to it.
Architecture has long been another source of inspiration. Wherever I am, I find myself drawn to historic buildings and the extraordinary craftsmanship they represent. I admire the way architecture shapes how people experience a place through proportion, light, texture and detail. In many ways, I see floral design in a similar way. Flowers are never simply decoration; they become part of the architecture of a space, helping to shape its atmosphere and how it is experienced by those within it.
Today, as Founder & Creative Director of FLOWERS BY ANYA, I approach every commission as a creative collaboration. Whether designing for a wedding, private celebration or hospitality environment, I begin by understanding the people, the place and the atmosphere we want to create. Flowers are only one part of that story. Botanical materials, colour, texture, movement, scale and proportion all work together to create something that feels entirely natural to its surroundings and memorable for everyone who experiences it.
Although every commission is unique, one thing never changes. Once it is complete, I naturally reflect on the process and ask myself what I have learnt and how I can continue to improve. I don’t see that as striving for perfection. I see it as part of the lifelong journey of craftsmanship. There is always another lesson to learn, another skill to refine and another opportunity to grow.
When I’m not designing, you’ll usually find me walking through woodland, exploring the coastline or spending time in the countryside. It’s there that I feel a true sense of belonging and being at one with nature. I slow down, listen to birdsong, observe the changing seasons and notice the countless details that so often go unnoticed. Those quiet moments continually remind me that everything in nature has its own purpose, and they remain one of my greatest sources of inspiration.
That same curiosity, respect for the natural world and commitment to continual learning continue to shape everything I create today. They are the values upon which FLOWERS BY ANYA was founded and the principles that guide every commission entrusted to me.
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