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Photo courtesy of Botanica International Design & Décor Studio
Ian Prosser favors "romantic" flowers such as hydrangeas and white roses in his acclaimed designs.
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Photo courtesy of Botanica International Design & Décor Studio
Scotland-born Ian Prosser is a colorful storyteller whose sophisticated floral designs are showcased on an international platform through his Florida-based Botanica International Design & Decor Studio. He parlayed his affinity for artistry into a position as the creative lead for the presidential inaugurations of presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Prosser will set the stage for his brand of romantic storytelling through color, texture and floral artistry during a Fine Arts and Flowers event, held at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Nov. 6. The event is at 10 a.m. and tickets are $35. Visit vmfa.museum for details.
R•Home: What can we look forward to during your lecture at Fine Arts and Flowers?
Ian Prosser: I will do several table designs to illustrate the feeling of the season. I’ll be using lots of flowers from Holland, some really unique flowers and fall designs that represent different seasonal personalities.
I’ll also be showcasing tablescapes and flowers to match. I want to show the audience how color and design look as a complete composition. I will share stories, something I really love doing. Hopefully, I will have them laughing. It will be quite entertaining.
R•Home: Tell me about your introduction to the floral design world.
Prosser: I was going to be a fashion designer. At school, I was looking through a [listing] of jobs and saw a posting for a florist. I checked all the boxes for the requirements. I’ve always had a great love for gardening because my father was a gardener. He absolutely loved it, so I felt good about doing it. I got a job in a shop and went on to study horticulture.
R•Home: What was your reaction to being selected to develop the floral design for the Clinton and Bush inaugurations?
Prosser: I was taken aback and shocked because I wasn’t an American. I was an immigrant. But I guess they knew of my design capabilities and that I have very good people skills. I believe that diplomacy is everything.
R•Home: What was your design process for each inauguration?
Prosser: The Society of American Florists chose me as the Design Chairman. I chose 160 designers for 14 official events and nine inaugural balls. The florals for the events were produced over four days. We chose florists from every state, and more from the president’s hometown. I spoke with the ball chairs, and we met regarding color harmony, china, stemware and things like that. Then I started to design the flowers. There was a sample viewing two to three weeks before — all on display in one place, to manifest the recipe for each design. The Inaugural Ball is always red, white and blue. There was some flexibility with the other events. I recall a cocktail party in pink and a breakfast in yellow.
R•Home: How did the inaugurations of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton differ?
Prosser: With Clinton, everything was grander. There were larger arrangements. For Bush, the items were smaller and more sophisticated. Bush had silk tablecloths. Everything was more understated and elegant. I believe there was more influence from the first lady. There was more satin with Clinton. Flowers were larger and showier. Also keep in mind that we had a difference of 12 years.
R•Home: How would you characterize your personal design style?
Prosser: I am a romantic designer. That’s what I enjoy most. I tend to like more romantic flowers: peonies, hydrangea, anemone. A romantic design is very open. I’m very
attracted to fall colors. I love reds and oranges. I love berries. My very favorite thing in the world is all white. I only use white flowers in my house. My garden is planted in white, green and gray.
R•Home: What are you looking forward to during your visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts?
Prosser: Sharing the art of floristry with others. Flowers create happiness wherever you go. Flowers bring smiles to faces. If I brighten someone’s day through the medium of flowers, I’ve done my job. Flowers make people feel better. Studies have said so.
