Media Factsheet
14 Floral Designers Participating at SGF 2006

• Australia (1 designer)
  • Richard Go studied orchid culture, landscaping design and construction, and has degrees in Commerce and Adult Education. Richard is a multiple award winner including three golds and nine first prize from floral design competitions in Australia and abroad..He is also an affiliate of several prestigious floral associations including the American Institute of Floral Designers and World Flower Council.

• Canada (1 designer)
  • Jacqueline Headecker is Toronto-based co-owner of Wisteria Floral Design, whose clients include a long list of celebrities and dignitaries. With decades of experience, she has lectured on the topic of floral design in as many as 12 countries such as Germany, Japan, and throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is also a member of the American Institute of Floral Design and a past president of Flowers Canada.

• China (1 designer)
  • Wang Suizhi is a state recognised florist with over 33 years of experience in flower design. In the past 16 years, she has submitted 21 entries in national flower arrangement competitions and all entries received prizes including a special prize, 8 gold, 9 silvers and 3 bronze. She also lectures frequently on flower arrangement abroad.

• Denmark (1 designer)
  • Hanne Hosbond is a teacher, writer and award-winning designer. In 1994, she bagged Danish Champion inthe prestigious Modern Floral Design and was invited to participate in the European championships in Hamburg. Most recently, she participated at the 8th World Cup in Melbourne in 2004. She is also the co-author of The Floral Designer, published in 2001 for the Danish Florist Organisation.

• Germany (1 designer)
  • Gregor Lersch is a world-class master floral designer with a record 7 big gold medals, over 30 golden, 22 silver and a number of bronze medals under his belt. He is a widely sought-after speaker and has spoken at workshops, lectures and demonstrations in Germany and more than 40 countries all over the world. Gregor has also published several books concerning various floral topics.

• Japan (1 designer)
  • Naoki Sasaki is from a family of ikebana masters whose works had dazzled Japan’s feudal lords at the Komono castle. He is a frequent face at floral events and national television programmes. Amongst his awards are first runner-up in the 2001 Asia Cup in Seoul,and winner of the Grand Championship at the 50th Anniversary of Japan Florists Telegraph Delivery Association in 2003.

• Korea (1 designer)
  • Jin-Young Park is a qualified 1st grade flower design teacher and decorator, recognised by the International Floral Culture Association and the Korea Florist Association. She is a multiple award winner of national competitions such as Cheonga Flowers Cup Flower Design Contest and has also completed floral designs for the Blue House, where the Korean President resides.

• Malaysia (1 designer)
  • Cheng Yoon Sen – Yoon Sen has more than ten years of experience in floral art design and has done various large scale designs for international hotels. A multiple award winner at Malaysia’s Laman Festival, Yoon Sen has also participated in various flower shows and exhibitions around the world including the United States and India.

• Singapore (5 participants)
  • Designers
    • Damien Koh is an internationally acclaimed floral artist who runs Fleur Connection in Singapore. He is a co-partner of Fleur Connection in Macau and the principal of Pui Wa Floral Design School in Beijing. Damien is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers and is well versed in a variety of floral art design forms including European Floral Art, Modern Floral Design, and Ikebana Floral Art. He is also the first and only Chinese accredited with Professional Floral Communicator International – there are only 80 members worldwide. He has traveled extensively for major floral events as demonstrator, lecturer, exhibitor, commentator, judge, translator, organiser, display artist, consultant and designer.
    • Benny Gui runs the Sonng Lifestyle Studio where he is creative director, floral stylist, and event planner. With over 32 years experience in the floral design industry, he has held several exhibitions and demonstrations in Singapore and abroad. He has participated in major floral events in Singapore such as the Singapore Flower Festival and Bloom Singapore.
    • Irene Hee runs the Tropifame Floral Design School, offering floral arrangement workshops for hobbyists and short courses and diploma for people who want a career in the field. To date, the school has trained more than 2,000 local and foreign students. She holds regular floral exhibitions, dubbed "Charity with Love - Tropifame”, showcasing creative floral designs by Tropifame while helping raise funds for various charitable organisations.
  • Organisations
    • FDSS – The Floral Designers Society (Singapore) is a non-profit organisation established in May 1997 to recognise and promote the art of floral design as a professional career. It aims to uphold standards of professionalism among its members as well as promote educational programs to advance the creative art of floral design. FDSS boasts a high membership that also affiliated with the American Institute of Floral Designers. Its biannual “FDSS Cup Floral Designing Competition” which was launched in 1998 will be held during Singapore Garden Festival.
    • Singapore Hortiflora Federation - The Singapore Hortiflora Federation was formed in September 2001 to represent all facets of the floral and horticultural industries. The organisation seeks to promote and develop activities such as Flower Festivals, Shows and Trade Fairs and identify regional partnerships for its members.

• UK (1 designer)
  • Chris Jones has 15 years of experience in the industry. His beginnings were humble in which he started out helping his mother in their family florist business. His big break came when he was introduced by a celebrated florist to major society and celebrity clients. Since then, he has showcased his floral designs throughout the world, creating a following in Europe and even Japan. Chris is also a frequent face in lifestyle and garden shows, corporate and charity events. Recently, he has begun writing, designing and styling for publications.