Presenting

16 January | 2023 FR: What kind of oral design training have you had? MM: During the pandemic, I attended a lot of various types of online workshops, including those by Tulipina, Ponderosa & yme, Willow Crossley, Fleursociety, Masks of the Moon, Floret, New York Botanical Garden and FlowerSchool New York. I've also attended in- person classes and workshops at Aniska Creations, Sophie Felts Floral Design and La Musa de las Flores, and I look forward to attending workshops in England and South Korea in the future. FR: What oral designers inspire you most? MM: Kianna Underwood, from Tulipina, is my No. 1 source of inspiration. I really admire her. I also love the work and styles of Ashley Fox, of Ashley Fox Designs, and Brynna Levine, of Masks of the Moon. FR: How do you describe your style? MM: My arrangements are dramatic and very abundant. I like a lot of fl owers, but I don't use a lot of greenery ; instead, I use fl owers to work as greenery. I don't want to disturb the color combinations in my arrangements with a lot of green. I love the Baroque period of the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. e palaces and their manicured gardens, and the jewelry of that period, inspire me a lot, but I also always like to add my signature modern touch. I love vintage containers with classic but modern designs. FR: How do you envision your career in the orist industry progressing? MM: I want to continue what I'm doing but also freelance internationally. I also do a lot of styling, so I would like to do more of that; it inspires me a lot. I really love fi ne papers, so I'm considering creating a Madonna Lily stationery line—cards, notebooks, etc.—with photographs of my designs. FR: Do you have any interest in owning a retail shop? MM: Someday, but not right now. I'm having fun doing what I'm doing, and it's very rewarding. It also gives me the freedom to travel. My family doesn't live here, so I travel. In the future, however, I would like to have a beautiful small retail store, like some of the fl ower shops in Europe that are so stunning. Just beautiful fl owers in the window and someone inside selling beautiful arrangements. at would be a dream for me one day—maybe with a little garden in the back and a little coff ee shop. FR: You have great photography. What are some of your tricks for creating such clear, crisp imagery? MM: I take all my photos with my phone—all of them. Images are very important to me, and I want them to be accurate to my colors. I took a FlowerSchool New York workshop on photography where I learned really interesting techniques—which fi lters to use, lighting, backdrops and so on. Beautiful backdrops are important to me. Really, it's very simple! Florist's Spotlight

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