The first Vietnamese to win an award at the world's most prestigious flower exhibition

"Dance of Light" design by designer Cao Thi Huyen. Photo: Minh Hop/VNA

Taking place from 23-27 May at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, Chelsea Flower Show 2023 brings together nearly 300 of the UK's and the world's leading companies, nurseries, garden and flower designers, attracting nearly 200,000 visitors. This year's exhibition features more than 100 garden and flower designs and 270 booths showcasing gardening products.

Held annually since 1913, the Chelsea Flower Show is the UK's most prestigious flower show, regarded as the “ fashion show” and “world cup” of international gardeners.
The exhibition showcases contemporary garden and floral designs from gardeners around the world; the latest plant varieties, products and gardening trends. The exhibition is a favourite destination for members of the Royal Family, celebrities and professional and amateur gardeners. The late Queen Elizabeth II was a regular visitor to the exhibition, attending the event more than 50 times.

At this year’s exhibition, designer Cao Thi Huyen won the Silver Award in the floral design category, with her work “Dance of Light”. Cao Thi Huyen said her design depicts the image of a flame, using many types of flowers in purple and yellow tones to create natural light shining on the flower lamppost. The design does not use plastic, following the Chelsea Flower Show’s criteria of developing sustainable and environmentally friendly gardening.

To be able to participate in the exhibition, considered the final round of floral designers in the world, Cao Thi Huyen had to spend 6 months preparing and submitting her design for approval by the exhibition's Organizing Committee. At the exhibition, the winners of the floral design category had to pass the evaluation of 50 judges.

Huyen said the award was a reward for her continuous efforts. She was delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the floral art of a Vietnamese designer to British flower lovers. She also hoped the award would inspire Vietnamese floral designers to participate in big events like the Chelsea Flower Show.

Before becoming a professional floral designer, Cao Thi Huyen worked for the Schlumberger oil and gas corporation in Singapore. Cao Thi Huyen's love affair with flowers came when she fell in love with her current husband. Every week, her lover gave her flowers but she did not know how to arrange them, so Cao Thi Huyen decided to learn how to arrange flowers as a way to express her appreciation for her lover's gift and relax due to her stressful work.

Her love for flowers grew when she attended a professional course at Nobleman School of Floral Design (Singapore), where she proved her ability thanks to her natural talent for painting. After that, Cao Thi Huyen decided to try her hand at the Singapore Garden Festival 2016 flower exhibition, in which she had to pass 4 rounds and won one of the two Silver prizes of the competition (there was no Gold prize). This achievement motivated Cao Thi Huyen to pursue a professional career in floral art. By winning the Silver prize at the Chelsea Flower Show, Cao Thi Huyen was qualified to study as an international judge in floral art, which is the goal she is aiming for in her career.

According to VNA

Source link