Bloom Floral, a floral shop in Winkler, recently showcased its talent at the prestigious Fleur de Ville exhibit in Winnipeg, earning a fifth-place ranking in popularity among attendees.
Madi Schiller, owner of Bloom Floral, was thrilled with the results. “We were up against some incredible talent, so placing in the top five feels like a huge achievement,” says Schiller.
Fleur de Ville is an international exhibit that features floral designers from around the world, with Winnipeg playing host to a segment of the traveling showcase. The event brought together 15 artists from across southern Manitoba, each tasked with creating a floral masterpiece based on a specific theme. This year’s theme, ‘Artiste,’ paired designers with various artistic organizations. Bloom Floral had the honor of collaborating with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Bringing a ballet costume to life
Schiller and her team chose to replicate a stunning peacock costume from one of the ballet’s productions. “Their costume team is so incredible, so we wanted to do it justice,” Schiller explains. “We created a full peacock dress with a tail that formed an elegant train, surrounded by an enchanted garden scene.”
The intricate display featured not only the floral gown but also a variety of whimsical elements, including a water fountain, butterflies, and small creatures such as a bunny and mice, tying into the ballet’s magical theme.
The challenge of floral durability
Creating a display of this magnitude was no small feat. “It was nine hours of setup on the day, not including the days spent gluing flowers beforehand,” Schiller shares. She credits her team for their hard work in piecing everything together.
The challenge didn’t stop at assembly. Since the exhibit lasted 12 days, the team had to ensure the flowers remained fresh and vibrant throughout. “Everything in our display was real—no plastic or fake flowers,” Schiller emphasizes. “We had to drive back and forth to maintain it, refreshing flowers as needed.”
Recognition and awards
Fleur de Ville offers several awards, including Best in Show, Most Creative, and Most Realistic, with participating florists also voting for their peers’ work. In addition, attendees had the chance to cast their votes, with an estimated 25,000 visitors coming through the exhibit.
“To place fifth in popularity among that many people—it’s really rewarding,” Schiller says. “Especially as a small-town florist from southern Manitoba competing against major Winnipeg shops.”
Looking to the future
With such a successful showcase, Bloom Floral is eager to participate again. “If they invite us back, we’ll absolutely do it again,” says Schiller, explaining that the event operates on an invitation-only basis.
For those who missed Fleur de Ville, The Leaf in Winnipeg has already launched its next display, “Battle of the Blooms,” featuring a stunning array of orchids curated by the venue’s horticulture team.
Valentine’s Day preparations underway
Meanwhile, back at Bloom Floral, the team is gearing up for the busiest floral holiday of the year—Valentine’s Day. Schiller encourages customers to place their orders early.
For last-minute shoppers, Schiller has a word of advice: “Don’t be that person calling on February 13th in a panic! A bouquet of flowers goes a long way, and planning ahead will save you the stress.”
With Bloom Floral’s talent now recognized on a larger stage, it’s clear that Winkler’s floral scene is thriving, proving that small-town artistry can hold its own among big-city competition.