Established in 2018, BESS Paddington is a neighborhood florist that blossoms with Australian native wildflowers cultivated by Bess’ family on the NSW Central Coast.
Bess, the fifth generation in the flower industry, has honed her skills through training with some of the world’s most renowned floral designers, making her floral arrangements unique and simply breathtaking.
Read more to discover the lovely world of BESS Paddington.
1. How were you introduced to the world of flowers?
I grew up on my family’s native Australian flower farm at Mangrove Mountain on the Central Coast of NSW.
2. Why do you love working with flowers?
I love that flowers are constantly changing according to the season—they change weekly which means there is always something new to work with.
3. What is the best advice you have received through your floral arrangement studies?
To break the rules.
4. How did you manage to turn your passion into a business?
After working with other florists in Sydney and London for ten years, I decided to open the shop, BESS, in Paddington, Sydney. It was a leap of faith and hard work. I opened the shop the same week I moved home from London. I hit the ground running and problem-solved along the way. My advice would be to just start and try not to overthink it. It’s hard work but I love the shop and the community it has created. I can’t imagine life any other way now.
5. Are there any artists who you look up to or inspire you most?
I have always looked up to the amazing florists I have learnt from. While studying fine arts, I worked part-time at Sydney’s beloved Grandiflora, learning floristry from its esteemed owner, Saskia Havekes. Upon graduation, I moved to London and worked under other inspiring florists: Simone Gooch of Fjura and Vic Brotherson of Scarlett and Violet.
6. Where do you source your floral materials, vases & tools?
Many of the flowers in our shop are grown on the flower farm I grew up on at Mangrove Mountain. We buy them from East Coast Wildflowers at Sydney’s Flemington markets. We have worked with local ceramicists and collaborated on custom vases. Our tools are from all the usual tool-supply places! But we do love Felco secateurs—all you need is a good pair of secateurs!
7. How would you describe your style of floral art?
Experimental, unexpected—championing Australian natives.
8. Do you have a favourite material or season?
The weirder the better! This week we’ve had amazing—and huge—Gymea Lily seed pods, which have been a fun challenge to use in arrangements. I also love the Australian natives that flower in Spring, like waratahs, flannel flowers, paper daisies and kangaroo paw.
9. What is the advice you would give to someone who is studying or wanting to study floral arrangement?
I personally didn’t study floristry. It’s great to study, but you can learn so much in working. For this reason, it’s great to start working in the industry as soon as possible.
10. Do you have any good floristry secrets / tips to share?
Making flowers in the vase you intend to display the arrangement: it means the arrangement is the perfect fit for the vessel—and it gives your hands a break!
11. What is ahead in your flower future?
I am really excited to be working on some projects at present that combine my background in and passion for sculpture and painting with floristry.
12. Tell us more about your interests and how they influence your work.
My interests complement each other: Native Australian wildflowers, and art. The diverse range of Australian native wildflowers is so inspiring for me in both art and floristry. Native Australian wildflowers can be tiny and pretty, or big and chunky and sculptural. I love to combine man-made objects and the natural world in sculpture.
13. For flower lovers – where would you recommend they visit in Sydney in a 24 hour visit?
Sydney Flower Markets in the Spring is a must. Sydney’s Botanic Garden on the harbour is so special. I love February when the lotus flowers are out in the ponds. William Street in Paddington, where our shop is located, has some great boutiques—we have a lovely community here, it’s a great street for shopping and cafes. And the restaurant 10 William for dinner!
Business details
- Website: besspaddington.com
- Instagram: @bess_paddington
- Services: Walk-in customers, online orders, weddings, funerals, corporate events, parties, regular corporate installs
- Upcoming events: David Jones Flower Show and pop-up shop in September 2023
Do you have a shop front open to the public or by appointment only?
27 William Street, Paddington 2021. Monday–Friday: 8am–5pm. Saturday: 8am–2pm. Sunday: closed.
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