Profile Since his big break, Simon has been
commissioned to provide the flowers for a number of high profile events and weddings, including the wedding of David and Victoria Beckham. Actress Tandie Newton, King Constantine of Greece and footballers Tierry Henry, Ashley Cole and Gary Neville also commissioned Simon for their weddings. When it comes to a couple’s special day, Simon is open- minded and very easy-going. “Tey fall into two categories,” he explains, “they either know exactly what they want or they haven’t got a clue, but either is fine with me. I would always like to feel that we manage to interpret their event to make it special and unique.” In the run up to a wedding, Simon greets his clients at his workroom in South London,
work was phenomenal,” he explains. However, Simon felt himself desiring more independence and decided to start freelancing. It is here that he made his first major step into the limelight, as Simon recalls, “I picked up some brilliant jobs – like the Jim Henson memorial service. It was before the days of health and safety so we transformed the church into a replica of Hampstead Heath, turfing the aisle which Big Bird walked down, putting in tree trunks and benches and re-creating woodland with huge foxgloves. It was amazing!” Simon then got involved with a stylist on film
work and says that it was this link that gave him his big break. “Tey were looking for florists to do the flowers for the film Four Weddings and a Funeral,” he recalls. “I pitched to do one of the weddings and ended up doing all of them – and the funeral!” Although this was a dream job, and one that he counts as one of his proudest moments, Simon is also honest about the tough work and challenges that exist amidst the glamour of film work. “It was the hardest six weeks of my life,” he admits. “We had to make two of everything. I’d work a twenty hour day, I lived on bowls of cereal and sometimes I was so tired that I couldn’t hold the wheel of the van!” A stark reminder, perhaps, that success like Simon’s does not come without a great deal of hard work and dedication.
reveals, “as well as corporate days, when the workroom is full of clients creating their own work of art, having watched me and learnt a few tricks of the trade. We often travel to the client’s venue of choice but wherever it is, it is always fun and followed by a delicious lunch.” Asked what he enjoys most about the work of the Academy, he replies, “I always enjoy spending time with groups who are often inexperienced but who end up creating something of which they’re rightly very proud.” Simon Lycett has a lot to be proud of. His finesse as a florist can be seen at his annual demonstrations at the Chelsea Flower Show, Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, and royal celebrations (including the reception in Windsor Castle for the wedding of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall). With so many achievements under his belt, we ask Simon what his ambitions are for the year. Contentedly, he replies, “More of the same. I love the flower world and I still get out of bed with a spring in my step regardless of how early the alarm clock has rung!”
which he describes as ‘Aladdin’s Cave’, to discuss their vision for the big day. Asked whether he has ever encountered any ‘Bridezillas’, Simon remains respectful of his clients. “None could ever be described in that way,” he replies. “We are a company who service the very top-end of our market and our clients all have high expectations, which is always something that we enjoy; rising to the challenges they set for us.” Simon and his team also run a Flower
Academy; a fantastic way for budding (no pun intended) flower enthusiasts to receive top class tuition. Te Academy is popular with people who want to give themselves and their guests what Simon describes as a ‘special creative treat’. “We do lots of birthday and hen parties,” he
For more information, visit
www.simonlycett.co.uk
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