Singapore Florist Pauline Ho Of Fleurapy Makes The Quirkiest Bouquets

Pauline Ho’s bouquets and table arrangements ($90-$200) are made with what some people might call, well, trash. Not the flowers – those are always fresh – but instead of vases, she puts them in old tins and jars. And in place of fillers like baby’s breath, she might add old light bulbs or plastic animals. It’s always about finding new ways to work with flowers, says Ho, who’s always scavenging for odds and ends – jars, toys, even wild plants by the roadside – to add to her arrangements (see more on her Instagram feed @fleurapy).

It’s a witty, whimsical quality that attracts customers who, quite literally, want more than a bunch of blooms. “I love getting briefs, especially if they’re vague,” says Ho. “It gives me the freedom to have fun with them.” For a customer who wanted to tell his girlfriend that she was the only one he ever wanted to listen to, she wrapped the bouquet in a sheet made from dictionary pages with the words “hear”, “consider” and “listen” highlighted.

Her other speciality is wedding arrangements (from $15 for a corsage to $300 for a bride’s bouquet), which tend to be less kooky. Clients who come to her for these aren’t looking to push boundaries, she says, but she still takes a personalised approach. This means factoring in everything from her customers’ personality, preferences and even Pinterest accounts. It’s all about understanding what people want from flowers, she explains. “I want my work to make a point and not just be pretty.”

An adapted version first appeared in Female's October issue.

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