Last November, as part of T’s new Black Book series, we shared a guide to florists in six cities worldwide, from Los Angeles to Milan to Tokyo, showcasing the diverse range of talent working in the field today. For our second installment, we ventured to six more cultural capitals — Chicago, Miami, Mexico City, Berlin, Seoul and Sydney — where highly sought-after makers are pushing the art of floristry in new directions.
Some of the designers featured here are deeply engaged with their culture and land — Raquel Cajiga, for example, frequently scours the fields of southern Mexico for indigenous herbals that give her arrangements a distinctly local character.
Others, such as the Sydney-based artist Lisa Cooper, draw upon their unique biographies to create powerfully personal statements.
Still others, such as the activists Quilen and Hannah Blackwell of Chicago’s Southside Blooms, have made environmental stewardship and community building a key part of their mission.
Regardless of their approach, each designer produces mesmerizing floral works, whether charming naturalistic bouquets or theatrical showpieces, that are sure to delight their recipients this Mother’s Day, or any day.