Q&A with Gilberto Freihoff of Dogwood and Fir

Floral Designers

Q&A with Gilberto Freihoff of Dogwood and Fir

Floral Designers

You were one of the first floral designers to use our new roses, what were your first impressions and do you have a favourite?

First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the David Austin family for entrusting Dogwood and Fir with the opportunity to work with their stunning new rose varieties. It was truly an honour to be among the first floral designers to explore these exquisite additions to their collection.

In our designs, we featured Hettie and Millicent as the stars of the show. I can confidently say that both roses are absolutely breathtaking and distinctly unique. I don’t think I can possibly choose a favourite, as each rose possesses its own charm and personality. They work beautifully as a duo or on their own. David Austin has truly outdone themselves this time.

Hettie is a vibrant and cheerful hot pink rose that instantly lifts the mood of any design. Her bold personality and outgoing demeanour are impossible to miss. Once she blooms, she commands attention with her striking colour and confident presence.

On the other hand, Millicent exudes a more refined elegance. She has a graceful, almost demure quality that draws you in, and her narcotic scent is utterly enchanting. The delicate rosette form of Millicent adds an air of sophistication to any floral design. Everyone at Dogwood and Fir was completely captivated by her beautiful rosette and I could easily see why she would be a favourite for weddings.

Working with these roses has opened up new creative possibilities for us. The way Hettie’s boldness contrasts with Millicent’s elegance allows us to craft arrangements that convey a rich narrative. Their unique characteristics not only enhance the visual appeal of our designs but also evoke emotions that resonate deeply with couples on their special day. I look forward to incorporating these stunning roses into future creations and can’t wait to see how they inspire others.

You created an incredible masterpiece using our new roses, what was your inspiration?

My inspiration often springs from the rich worlds of fashion, art, and history. When I first read the brief and detailed descriptions of the new roses, I immediately envisioned a photoshoot that would capture their vibrant personalities. I wanted to create an atmosphere that combines the elegance of English gardens with the grandeur of European old-world aesthetics, evoking the feeling of stepping into a beautifully staged tableau.

One of my favourite artists, François Boucher, has had a profound influence on my work at Dogwood and Fir. His ability to infuse life and movement into his compositions is something I admire deeply. After spending time in the galleries of The Wallace Collection in London, surrounded by Boucher’s exquisite pieces, I had a real “aha” moment. His paintings’ lush colours and romantic themes inspired me to channel that same sense of beauty and drama into my floral designs.

To bring this vision to life, I imagined a setting that intertwined the elegance of classic artistry with modern romanticism. I wanted the new rose varieties to shine, reflecting the soft pastels and opulent textures often found in Boucher’s artwork. It was important that the scene felt both intimate and grand, highlighting the roses as the central characters of this floral narrative. Much like in Boucher’s paintings, the interplay of light and shadow played a crucial role in my design process, adding depth and dimension to the arrangements.

We love how you have blended colour, pattern and texture into the photoshoot, how did you go about designing this?

When designing this photoshoot, I started by closely studying the hues and undertones of the elements I’m working with. For this particular shoot, I noticed that Millicent exhibited subtle blue undertones that reminded me of lilac. This observation inspired me to incorporate lilac into the colour palette, which beautifully complemented the overall aesthetic. Hettie, with her vibrant hot pink, became the perfect highlight, adding depth and visual interest to the composition.

By thoughtfully blending these colours, patterns, and textures, I aimed to create a harmonious balance that draws the eye and evokes emotion. Each element plays a distinct role in the design, allowing the roses to shine while enhancing the overall narrative of the shoot. Ultimately, this careful consideration of colour relationships and textural contrasts brought the vision to life, creating a stunning tableau that captures the essence of these exquisite roses.

To learn more about Gilberto’s beautiful work, please visit Dogwood & Fir.