Profile

Paula Pryke is arguably Britain’s best known floral designer with an enviable ‘A’ list clientele.  Her reputation for cutting edge innovative floral designs has brought international attention to her work.

Her awards and accolades include ‘Most brilliant Florist’ (Evening Standard), ‘Best Florist in London’ (Tatler) and ‘Ambassador for the Florist Industry’ (NFU). Her bestselling books, including her latest ‘Classic Paula Pryke’, ‘Wreathes & Bouquets’ and ‘Table Flowers’. 2009 will see the release of her eagerly anticipated book, Simply Pink.  Her international teaching means that Paula is in demand for demonstrations and TV appearances worldwide.

Biography

Paula Pryke started her distinguished flower business in 1987 and is now one the most famous and well-respected florists in the world.

Paula originally made a career change from History teacher to florist. During her teaching days Paula taught History at the famous 'Italia Conti' Stage School - with Louise Redknapp, Martine McCutcheon and Emily Lloyd amongst her pupils.

Paula Pryke Flowers has a reputation for cutting edge, innovative floral designs. Her work has been featured in all the leading magazines and she has been described as 'The most brilliant florist in London'. Paula writes regularly for magazines including Sainsburys The Magazine and The English Home. "Pryke has become one of the capital's most influential florists." Life and Style Evening Standard 8th July 2002.

Paula has written several best-selling books on flowers, which have been translated into thirteen different languages including Japanese and Hebrew, (The New Floral Artist, Candles, Wreaths & Garlands, Flower Celebrations, Simple Flowers, Flower Innovations, Living Colour, Flower School, Table Flowers, Wedding Flowers and Classic Paula Pryke).

Paula is a true 'Florist to the Stars'. Her client list reads like a 'Who's Who', including Royalty, Presidents, Heads of State, actors, Pop Stars, and television Celebrities. Paula's simple style is also favoured by many top architects and designers. In the early nineties Ilse Crawford recommended Sir Terence Conran visit Paula's shop in Islington. He described it as 'the best flowers shop outside of Paris' and became a patron using Paula's flowers both personally and for his design and restaurant empire. Nigel Slater and Delia Smith are also fans and Delia's personal dedication in Paula's latest book 'Living Colour' reads 'A radiant celebration of the joy of colour from one of the greatest artists of our time'. Other devotees include Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Derek Jacobi, Zoe Wannamaker, Ben Elton, Issey Miyake, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham-Carter, Kate Winslet & Jonathan Ross.

Since 1994 Paula has run her internationally renowned Flower School offering courses in every aspect of floral design for everyone from complete beginners through to professionals.

Her prestigious internationally acclaimed Career Course has become something of a blueprint for flower courses around the country, offering a unique in-road into floristry for frustrated florists considering a career change as Paula herself once did.

Paula's philosophy has been embraced in Europe, America and Japan where she is in regular demand for lectures and floral demonstrations.

Paula has a successful concession in Liberty, Great Marlborough Street, London W1 and another on the Conran forecourt at Brompton Cross, Fulham Road, SW3 and recently opened a third at Partridges at the Duke of Yorks Headquarters new retail centre in London's Kings Road.

Paula's contemporary, architecturally designed home above 'The Flower House' in Islington has been featured in numerous style and interiors publications and is a popular stylists' location. It has been seen in everything from Vogue, Hello, The Evening Standard and 'You' Magazine to the BBC 'Harry Potter' Documentary.

Paula has an expensive vase 'habit' - her collection has been known to run to hundreds as she feels you should start with the flowers and then match the vase!

Paula's web site is www.paula-pryke-flowers.com

Paula was one of the design team responsible for the Royal Mail Christmas 2002 festive postage stamps.

Wherever Paula goes, her beloved chocolate labrador Coco is never far behind - many a flower arrangement has come to grief in range of Coco's vigorous tail!

Paula was the floral contributor to a new series for UK Style called Our Home, transmitted in 2004.

Paula filmed a critically acclaimed 3 part documentary series Going Straight for Channel 4, broadcast in September 2004.

Paula's knowledge of all things floral verges on the encyclopaedic - even 'Gardening God' Alan Titchmarch has been known to use her carefully indexed books for reference. Now that's what we call flower power...

Updated 28/02/2009