Dr. SOLOMON LEONG AIFD PFCI CFD
Solomon Bloemen
Influenced by the English garden style and the European flower arranging ethos, the work of the Hong Kong based floral designer Dr. Solomon Leong have been described as ‘extraordinary’ and ’striking’ by international media such as the BBC.
Competitions have formed an important part of Dr. Leong’s professional life. In 2019, Dr. Leong represented Hong Kong to compete in the FTD World Cup, the world’s most prestigious floral competition held every four to six year. At the same year, he has won the Leeds Castle flower festival designer award at the castle’s 900th anniversary. In 2006, 2008, and 2014 he was awarded the Gold Medal and the Best Floral Arrangement Award at the world renowned Royal Horticultural Flower Show at Chelsea in London, UK. At the same show, he has also won the Gold Medals for 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and Silver Gilt for 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2018.
In 2014, 2015 and 2016 he was invited to be one of the leading international designers at the World Flower Garden Show in Nagasaki Japan, where he won Gold medal for both years. At the same show he also won a series of awards including the ‘Best Use of Colours Award’ (2014), ‘Best Innovative Design Award’ (2015) and ‘Best in Show Award’ (2015).
Image by Dr. Solomon Leong
As well as competitions, Dr. Leong is also an active floral demonstrator who has demonstrated regularly at the Hong Kong Flower Show and other locations both locally and abroad. In 2019, his footsteps are all over the world. He was invited to become artist-in-residence at Aargauer Kunsthaus, Switzerland where he participated in the ‘Flowers to Arts’ exhibition. And at the same year, he was also invited as the featured international designer at FleurEx, the UK most prestigious industry show by the British Florist Association. And he was also the sole representative from Hong Kong at 2019 Fleuramour at Belgium.
He presented floral art demonstrations in the Putrajaya Malaysia International Flower Show ‘Flora’ in 2011, and in the Singapore Garden Festival in 2012 and Leeds Castle Flower Festival in the U.K. in 2017, 2018 and 2019. He was the feature designer for the AIFD symposium in 2017 in Seattle and also the 18th China Horticultural Expo in 2018, as the sole representative from Hong Kong.
As a doctor of philosophy in cultural studies, Solomon’s extensive knowledge of cultures and history in relation to floral art has turned him into a successful commentator of floral designs. He has been interviewed by media such as the BBC, TVB, the Radio Television Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Economic Journal as well as the South China Morning Post, amongst many others. Cosmopolitan Bride Beijing named him ‘one of the 50 influential Chinese voices in the wedding world’.
Image by Dr. Solomon Leong
His unique approach to floral styles and aesthetics has made him a regular contributor in fashion and lifestyle magazines such as Elle, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, both in Hong Kong and China. In 2010, His works were featured in the prestigious Floral International Biannual 2010/11, 2014/15 and 2015/16 which showcases the most creative floral designers around the world. In 2010, ‘Solomon’s Blooming Chic’ was published in Chinese. ‘Secrets of Flowers’, the bi-lingual book which Dr Leong as author, floral designer and photographer of all his floral designs, was published in 2016 Spring.
Image by Solomon Bloemen
Dr. Leong is the director of SOLOMON BLOEMEN bespoke floral design studio, a renowned bespoke design studio based in Hong Kong providing expert floral services for a distinguished clientele. Since 2012, he has been repeatedly appointed as the artistic consultant for various prestigious shopping mall and hotels in Hong Kong including ELEMENTS, MGM and Shangrila, specializing in bringing cutting-edge floral designs into the retail environment.
Dr. Leong is a member of the AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers), a Professional Floral Communicator – International (PFCI), the World Flower Council (Hong Kong Chapter), the Royal Horticultural Society and an honorary member of the Good Florist Guide UK. He is the technical advisor for Employees Retraining Board HKSAR. He is also the Honorary Advisor for the Hong Kong Flower Club (an affiliated club with NAFAS under the region of London and Overseas) and President of the Hong Kong Association of Flower Arranging Societies.
Show Notes
Image courtesy of Dr. SOLOMON LEONG
The enchantment of flower arranging is the metamorphosis that occurs when an image in your mind comes to life and becomes tangible.
.When it comes to floral design, you can let your imagination run wild by incorporating dried and preserved flowers as well as houseplants.
In China, your palette becomes more colorful as you become older.
It is vital to double-check and organize all of the logistics at a venue before producing an event.
Client communication is essential. Solomon creates mood boards, uses visual references, and has in depth dialogues. Educate clients on the I importance of knowing more than just flowers when it comes to design.
Your understanding of current trends, patterns, and flower varieties will set you apart.
Pricing should bring value and reassurance to your client. Incorporate a variety of distinct floral values and techniques.
Clients value craftsmanship such as architecture and leaf manipulation, yet they occasionally just want an organic bouquet. Value your clients and listen to what will make them happy.
