Flower House Mexico
A unique event blending floral design, community, and philanthropy
Join Cerina Triglavcanin as she shares her inspiring journey as a student in this immersive 3-day workshop. Experience the creativity, teamwork, and the community spirit that made this philanthropic project truly special.
“With the beauty of flowers at the core of our mission, Flower House Mexico endeavors to go beyond the realm of aesthetics. We strive to create an immersive educational experience that resonates deeply within the hearts of all involved, reminding us of the inherent resilience, hope, and unwavering beauty that can be found even in the face of adversity.”
(FHM website, 2025)
A Transformative Experience in Mexico City
In early January, I spent three transformative days at Flower House Mexico (FHM). Founded by cancer survivor Pili Fuentes, FHM hosted its 4th workshop in a vibrant Mexico City neighbourhood, raising funds for the National Cancer Institute to support research and treatment.
In the days leading up to the workshop, floral designers and helpers relished in seeking out and gathering locally grown and exotic botanicals. Flowers and plants were gathered from Jamaica Mercado, the city's main flower market, and the expansive Xochimilco plant markets.
When the workshop began, excitement filled the air. Students, including myself, had travelled from all over the world, eager to dive into the experience, some having dreamt of this moment for years. Housed in a stunning historic building, with tall brick scalloped ceilings, vintage decorative cornices, parquet floors, and original double French doors as the backdrop, each designer had their own room to work with student teams and helpers, carefully crafting and executing their installations. We were joined by a dedicated team of volunteer florists, carpenters, and electricians who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the large-scale installations to life.
The Masters of Floral Alchemy
This year’s lineup of floral visionaries included:
Susan McLeary, USA
Maxine Owens, USA
Liz Griffith, USA/Europe
Jisook Yim, Korea
Frida Kim, UK
Rachael Lunghi, USA
Each artist brought their own distinct aesthetic, sculpting botanical elements into breathtaking installations.
Immersive Learning & Artistic Collaboration
During the workshop we observed demonstrations by Rachael Lunghi, who created beautiful table arrangements and bouquets. Jason Murakawa of Small Masterpiece, a high-end US tableware rental company, shared insights into his business and his white glove service. Makeup and hair artist Steve Nielsen styled models who wore wearable floral designs by Susan McLeary. The workshop was professionally photographed by Corbin Gurkin who generously donated her time. Local vendors displayed their handmade products for sale, including candles, ceramics, leather goods, and artwork.
The Unexpected Beauty of Corn
I had the privilege of working with Frida Kim’s team, whose contemporary approach and deep cultural insight reshaped my perception of floral storytelling. Under Frida’s guidance, our team embarked on an artistic voyage with an unexpected, yet deeply symbolic material - corn. In its myriad forms, husked, whole, and kernel-strewn in shades of red, white, orange, and black. It became a medium of expression, evoking resilience, sustenance, and Mexican heritage. We created individual designs, small group, and a whole group installation. Our hands sculpted towering installations that soared two metres high. Each piece, reflecting the meaning and image of Centeotl the corn deity. As our final structures took shape, Frida honoured them with a traditional smudging ceremony, an ethereal moment of reverence and connection.
A Tapestry of Installations
Beyond our corn-inspired creations, a tapestry of floral creations unfolded in the other rooms. Susan McLeary’s team orchestrated a suspended vertical display of hydrangeas, agapanthus, heliconias, bananas, lilies and tomatillos, and a meandering floor installation incorporating coconuts and arum lilies. Maxine Owens & Liz Griffith’s group wove a bold tapestry of hanging lilies, chrysanthemums, and palm leaves, with floating orange slices and terracotta vessels overflowing with bougainvillea, oranges, and grapefruit.
Jisook Yim’s vision materialized in ethereal floating fabrics, accented by flower towers, and delicately threaded blossoms in water tubes. Mariana Guajardo designed an installation using thousands of pins and sequins into a shimmering masterpiece capturing the image of flowers in a vase. All workshop attendees were invited to participate in the glittering creation. Jason Murakawa designed a dreamlike green and white tablescape, where moss and foliage intertwined, and hand-painted ceramics were nestled among the lush greenery, illuminated by the soft glow of candles.
Every corner of the workshop exuded an energy of boundless creativity,
Sustainability a Key Focus
Sustainability was a key element of the event, woven into every detail. The event was entirely foam free, the corn was thoughtfully donated for reuse, while discarded flowers found new life through recycling. In a final gesture of generosity, leftover blooms were gathered into buckets and placed outside the venue, inviting passersby to take home a piece of the event’s beauty.
A Celebration of Art & Impact
The final day saw the finishing touches made to the installations. Gigantic red and white piñatas adorned the entry hall, and cascading strands of amaranthus lined the stairwell in readiness for the fiesta that evening. A live band, Mexican appetizers, cocktails, and dance, united us in celebration. More than just an event, this was a tribute to our shared achievements, the friendships we had forged, and the meaningful cause that brought us together.
The Transformative Power of Giving
Flower House Mexico was more than an event, it was a sanctuary of artistry, a movement of generosity and a transformative power of floral expressions. Thank you to the wonderful men and women of FHM, the floral designers, helpers, and students, where we collectively created a space where artistry and purpose intertwine. This workshop was a powerful reminder that beauty can drive real change to those in need and that the impact of FHM extends far beyond its participants, its donors, and its followers. The essence of FHM: a belief that flowers - have the power to heal, to uplift and to inspire.
Words - Cerina Triglavcanin www.theflowerscout.substack.com @cerinafloralatelier
Photographer - Corbin Gurkin www.corbingurkin.com @corbingurkin
Flower House Mexico
www.flowerhousemexico.com @flowerhousemexico
Floral Designers
Maxine Owens @maxowensdesign
Frida Kim @fridakim_london
Sue McCleary @passionflowersue
Liz Griffith @silohfloral
Jisook Yim @saison_fleurie
Rachael Lunghi @sirenfloralco
Mariana Guajardo @floresbybambu
Jason Murakawa @smallmasterpiece.official
Wearable Floral - @passionflowersue
Venue - Mexico City @proyectospublicos