IN CONVERSATION WITH FRIDA KIM

This Valentine’s, London florist Frida Kim brings our Radicchio, not Roses message to life with her floating arrangement — Antonello's Pink Radicchio and Rosella di Lusia, strung asymmetrically with the less-is-more aesthetic typical of ikebana floristry.

Learn about her inspirations, get her styling tips and find out why ikebana is a philosophy that goes well beyond the vase.

It was your floating installations that first caught our eye. Can you tell us more about your style and inspirations?

Playing with individual leaves, watching them unfold into bird-like shapes was my first joyous and creative start. As a child, I adored clouds for the endless game of finding animals in their  shapes. The ever-changing forms and colours, influenced by the weather, always brought joy. I could happily watch them all. I am also a big fan of mobiles, especially Alexander Calder’s creations.

Were there any challenges in putting together this installation?

Hanging each head of radicchio individually makes it difficult to envision the whole and the natural movements they’ll create. But it also adds an extra layer of interest. The most challenging part was to capture them in a photo.

What did you think couldn’t quite be captured by the camera that was felt in the room?

The play of light coming from behind unveiled the true beauty of the veins in the plants. It cast a mesmerising glow on the intricate details which was hard to capture.

Were you already familiar with radicchio?

Yes, and I remember the colours being very special and beautiful. A long time ago one of my first flower teachers loved it very much. She always said they are more beautiful than  flowers. I’d seen your previous Radicchio not Roses campaigns — really inspirational. I am so happy to be part of it now.

You say that flowers tell stories, and you find beautiful ways to tell these stories. What story were you telling here?

A romantic and celebratory story. Radicchio looks like a flower. I'm a fan of movement, and when I was experimenting with a sample, I hung one to observe it in movement. The way each slowly opens up is so exciting. I imagined that it could be a captivating cloud-like installation.

Do you find floristry a challenge at times of dearth in the natural world? If so, how do you work around this?

Certainly, but sustainability has become our responsibility. I look to local seasonal flowers as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables, which serve as truly inspiring sources of creativity. If you want to stick with flowers in February, snowdrops, narcissus and hellebore are lovely choices. A branch of magnolia or blossoms add a touch of enduring beauty, even if they take time to bloom.

All elements in balance — Frida’s styling tips.

Like flowers, radicchio are fresh products. How would you preserve this while creating a display?

Just a few hours on display is best. The Tardivo is the most robust so you can display it for longer. When they are exposed to the light, the radicchio start to darken in colour. Have a water spray handy to keep them looking fresh.

Where would you start with an at-home floral arrangement?

I like to consider the vase, the placement and the flowers — or radicchio — equally. At home, I put arrangements in our kitchen or entrance and I tend to use simple glass vases or ceramics. I make sure the fresh produce fits with the space and vessel, as a unified display. Have some useful tools at your disposal, like a kenzan (flower frog).

Are there any golden rules in floral arrangement?

There are no golden rules; everybody has their own way of expressing their creativity, with a different feeling and eyes of beauty. So whatever feels right to you is the most important thing. I love to work with seasonal materials; this spring I’ll use a lot of branches and blossoms.

How would you serve it after displaying it?

My favourite is a delicious radicchio salad with orange segments — a refreshing combination of bitter, sweet, and tangy flavours.