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The Art of Silk Flowers
at Bloom & Wolf

An Interview with Gwen van de Pas
11 September2024
Art. No 9
Bloom & Wolf Founder Gwen van de Pas

In the world of floral design, Bloom & Wolf is synonymous with refinement and creativity. Their silk flower bouquets are true works of art, each inspired by the creations of female artists. Today, we are speaking with Gwen van de Pas, founder and creative director at Bloom & Wolf, who shares the fascinating process behind these unique creations.

From Inspiration to Creation

"Every bouquet starts with inspiration," Gwen explains. "We are guided by the works of female artists who move us, inspire us, and are pioneers in their fields. These artworks form the foundation for the colors, shapes, and textures we incorporate into our bouquets." This creative approach ensures that each bouquet is not only visually appealing but also tells a story that goes beyond aesthetics.

At Bloom & Wolf, we treat our products as floral design objects and adhere to a general set of design principles. This allows us to create pieces that leave a lasting impression. Once the right inspiration is found, we consider current market trends and seasonal changes. "This helps us connect creativity with relevance, ensuring our bouquets are not only beautiful but also timely," Gwen adds.

The Design Process

After gathering inspiration and trends, the Bloom & Wolf team begins the design process. "The next step is selecting the finest silk flowers available," Gwen says. "All flowers are handpicked by me and our master florist Frank from the best suppliers in Europe. We pay attention not only to shape, color, and realism but also to how the flower feels. A large part of our collection consists of real-touch flowers. Bloom & Wolf stands for the highest quality, so curating our flowers is something we take very seriously."

Next comes the selection of vases, most of which are handmade by our potter in Zeeland. "It's very important to us that the vases complement the bouquet, creating a harmonious synergy," Gwen emphasizes. "When designing our collection, we use design principles such as contrast, balance, emphasis, proportion, and movement to create pieces that truly stand out."

Series in the Collection

To cater to a wide range of audiences, we divide our collection into different series, ranging from the accessible 'bouquet series' to the bold 'sculptural series.'

The bouquet series is the commercial and more traditional line. It forms the core of the collection and is accessible yet inspiring for our general audience. The bouquets are traditional but feel modern due to our design choices. They are objects rather than simply flowers in a vase, as we actively seek tension in the composition.

The sculptural series is bold and all about composition. In this series, we abandon the traditional idea of what a bouquet should be and elevate design principles to a higher level. These arrangements are true objects, with the vase serving more as a base than a design element.

Collaboration and Selection

The creative process at Bloom & Wolf is highly collaborative. "Our team of master florists, vase makers, and trend analysts work closely together to achieve the perfect selection," Gwen says. Once the flowers and vases are carefully chosen, the team begins assembling the bouquets.

Final Touches

When the flowers are arranged and the compositions start taking shape, a series of review rounds follows. "We critically review and refine the bouquets with the team," Gwen explains. "Only when everyone is satisfied do we finalize the collection." Currently, the team is busy with the final preparations for the fall collection, which will be launched in October.

Collection Presentation

"It's always exciting to see how people react to what we've created," Gwen shares enthusiastically. "We present the collection at our office and invite customers to come and admire it. We can't wait to see the reactions to our new fall collection!"

A Creative Masterpiece

It's clear that every bouquet at Bloom & Wolf is a product of love, art, and craftsmanship. Gwen van de Pas and her team have developed a process where inspiration, creativity, and precision come together to create something truly special. "It's always a privilege to work on something that brings joy and beauty to people's lives," Gwen concludes. "We hope our customers are as excited about the new collection as we are."

Text Leila de Zwart

Photography David in den Bosch

Design Michele Crivellaro

Gwen photography Yvette Kulkens

Gwen makeup Elles Nijkamp

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