Fletcher’s design wins third place at Designer of the Year competition

CONNECTED ENERGY: Yvonne Fletcher’s entry in the National Floral Art Designer of the Year competition won her third place. The competition theme was Connected Energy and contestants had to also implement a style of mobility in their designs. Picture supplied

Local Yvonne Fletcher’s skills to cleverly craft an ethereal floral design saw her place third in a national floral art design competition held in Hamilton last month.

Floral Art Society of New Zealand (FASNZ) is a society that aims to encourage and promote the creation of floral art design.

Every three years the society holds a conference and competition — where people from different regions compete for the top national designer of the year.

A Gisborne Floral Art Club member, Fletcher said each area organises its own internal competition to find the finalist who will represent their area at this event.

Although she placed second in the regional competition. She got the opportunity to construct and display her excellent floral design after the top contestant fell ill and asked her to represent Gisborne.

“It was so exciting and scary at the same time. I felt like a newbie in front of so many of Aotearoa’s top designers who have travelled the world far and wide to develop their skills.

“So it feels good to win something.”

The theme of the design competition was Connected Energy and contestants had to also implement a style of mobility in their designs.

Fletcher’s design was an example of modern and conceptual construction weaved together with well-chosen plant material resulting in a beautiful, light, and airy creation.

Recalling her journey into floral arts, Fletcher said her mother played an influential role.

“She was always in a garden club, so we always had flowers and floral designs all around us the whole time. I have taken after her as I also like to take care of my garden and play around with floral art.”

For her modern design influence, Fletcher thanks the tutors who visit the local floral art club and provide mentorship.

About FASNZ: In December 1964 Wellington Floral Art Club met with the Lower Hutt Flower Arrangement Group for a Christmas function. As a result of this meeting, co-founders Mrs Eleanor Dobbs and Mrs Gean Kerr convened meetings that unified clubs in the Wellington province and eventually throughout New Zealand. The first meeting of The Floral Art Society of New Zealand was held in 1965 and the first FASNZ Inc AGM was held in 1966.