Silk flowers Rich layout 24/4/09 15:00 Page 1
Say it with silk
Dawn Smith in her Claygate shop
Preserving flowers is like trying to bottle
the wind. Unless, of course, they are made
It’s so much easier to pack silk flowers
when you’re flying off to get married
of silk. Helene Parry sniffs out the Surrey
abroad. We can make the perfect bridal
shop where glorious, durable imitations
bouquet and a corsage for the mother of
have become a flourishing concern
the bride to match her outfit – a lovely
keepsake of the day.
“We do funerals too. After a cremation,
T
hink of artificial flowers, and it Yet the highly competitive fresh flower
people will bring in a crystal vase with the
probably conjures images of gaudy market proved less than fertile soil. So
dates engraved on it, which we then fill
plastic clusters on Nan’s sideboard, much so that when Dawn encountered a
with a beautiful arrangement.”
routinely ignored by every passing bee. supplier offering a high quality artificial
And the idea is certainly catching on.
Times, however, have changed. Today’s alternative, she quickly decided that the
Celebrity clients include footballers, actors
faux flowers are the first floral choice of a future was silk.
and newsreaders, while hairdresser Toni &
host of interior designers; a fashionable “The key requirement of any artificial
Guy and Champney’s Town and City Spa
adornment for many an exclusive business flower is that it looks and feels like the real
Guildford are among the corporate players
and home. thing, so at RTfact we find the very best
to smell the RTfact flowers.
And at the heart of this cultural shift is suppliers. Most of the flowers are made of
“We get compliments all the time,” says
RTfact of Claygate, near Esher, designer silk, but some comprise a variety of
Dawn. “We did a big event for Sir Cliff
and supplier of high quality artificial materials, while others have a special latex
Richard at Hampton Court three years
flowers to individual and corporate clients. coating to give them the right texture.
ago. It was awkward, because we weren’t
Bouquets, arrangements, trees: everything And, unlike many florists’ arrangements,
allowed in to start work until 4pm, as the
a fresh flower florist would stock is here. every one of ours is bespoke.”
palace is still open to the public until then!
But, as the RTfact website proudly Customers can bring in their own vase,
But afterwards, Sir Cliff’s people wrote to
declares: “The beauty is – it’s silk.” or choose from the wide range stocked in congratulate us on all that we’d done.”
“I spotted a gap in the market and went the shop. They are also invited to select And what of Saint Valentine? When the
for it,” explains Dawn, a qualified florist stems from the flower gallery, before scent of romance fills the air, is the shop
who lives in Guildford. “I realised that, by Dawn and her expert florists set to work drenched in orders from amorous clients?
combining the finest quality stems with on the arrangement itself. The team will “I’m not sure anyone really wants to
modern design techniques, I could create even make home visits to help clients best receive artificial flowers for Valentine’s,
the kind of lovely artificial arrangements position the end result, and a cleaning even if they do last longer!” admits Dawn.
which had never been available before. service is available too. “But we do well at Easter and Mothers
“Artificial flowers are far more realistic In addition, RTfact often works with Day. And Christmas is very busy too. We
these days. What’s more, they last for years. interior designers on newly built homes. supply trees, garlands, the whole package.”
Think how much you’d spend on a weekly “These properties need to look their best The flowers may be artificial, but there
bowl of fresh tulips for your home. A silk for prospective buyers, but there is usually is no doubt at all that this business is the
flower arrangement soon pays for itself.” no one there to maintain displays of fresh real thing.
It’s a serendipitious discovery by a flowers. That’s when silk arrangements a73 Arrangements start at £5.95 for a single
designer with a richly diverse portfolio. really come into their own.” silk flower in a pot, rising to over £1,000
“I’ve worked on clothes, interiors, every Nor is RTfact focused solely on flowers for those to be placed in entrance halls.
aspect of design,” says Dawn. “But I have for enduring display. Floral occasions are Stems range from 95p to £35.
a real passion for flowers, so eight years ago also very much part of the brief. RTfact, 22 The Parade, Claygate, Surrey.
I did an NVQ in floristry and then worked “We certainly cater for weddings, Tel: (01372) 470580. Visit:
part-time as a florist.” especially those in more far-flung locations. www.rtfactflowers.co.uk
76 www.richmondmagazine.co.uk
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