Own Your Zone of Genius

Own your zone

The best results come from collaborations in which you let the creatives be the experts in their own “zones of genius” (assuming of course you carefully selected your experts—do your homework!). In a project or a shoot, give your fellow collaborators as many details as possible. They may think of things pertaining to their expertise that you hadn’t thought of that will lead to an even better outcome. You can control the general direction while giving others the freedom to shine in their gift. I find this to be particularly important when working with photographers.

Due to time constraints on the peony shoot this past summer (get the details), we were unable to document the bloom types and we ran out of time to shoot a couple of the linens from Nuage Designs. So, after the shoot in the studio, I took everything to my parents house to attempt my own documentation with my vintage Nikon film camera. I’ve shared a few of my images below.

As you can see, they are not nearly as good as the imagery from the professional photographer, Jennefer Wilson. Actually, by themselves, maybe you would be impressed. But because I started this post with Jennefer’s images, you can see the glaring difference in all around quality. I am not a photographer. I have not been trained to use a camera, I have not put in hundreds of hours practicing, and I do not know how to properly edit. The alternative though in this case was not having any imagery of the individual peonies generously provided by the Alaska Peony Cooperative and not having any documentation of the other linens. So, I decided to try.

I have seen beautiful flower arrangements in real life turn absolutely blah in a photo and very mediocre arrangements appear fabulous because of the skill of the photographer to record them at just the right angle and light.

In the end, I’m glad I recorded the individual peony varieties because those images are good enough for documentation purposes, but the images I took of the arrangements I tossed together for the two linens are probably not going to be shared outside of this post. Still, it was a good reminder for me that I cannot be an expert in everything, as much as I’d like to be. Moreover, we rob others of the joy of their calling if we try to be everything.

Can we afford an expert in every part of our lives that we aren’t ourselves brilliant at? or in areas we don’t have time for? No. That’s for billionaires. The rest of us have to prioritize and choose when/where to spend our limited resources on the experts and when to swallow our pride, do the best we can, and move on. I’m preaching to myself here.

Where do you prioritizing outsourcing in your life? The next expert I want to hire is a house cleaner 🙌🏻

Bisous,

Emily

NYFW Bridal October 2023

What is NYFW Bridal?

Twice a year in New York City, in April and October, designers and brands host intimate events, presentations, or large-scale runway shows to reveal their newest collection of bridal gowns and accessories. Being a part of fashion week (bridal or otherwise) in New York City and then in Paris in some flowery capacity has been a dream of mine from the beginning. It’s one of the reasons why I’ve called myself an Atelier, the french word for “studio”.

Vicarious experience of fashion week…

My role model, friend and talented photographer, Sarah Bradshaw participated in the bridal fashion week in NYC which was just last week. She’s already edited and delivered some gorgeous images from her week there and I’m so excited to share my favorites with you!

What are you looking at?

Sarah has graciously permitted me to share her point of view of the bridal fashion week experience. I get giddy just looking at them! Is that just me or do you feel the thrill? The following galleries give you a glimpse of all three types of presentations—
1. The showroom presentation (Elie Saab)
2. The intimate event reveal (Sareh Nouri)
3. The runway presentation (Ines Di Santo)
4. The runway presentation less expected (Nardos)

I’ve also include notes about that particular collection or about the design house in general from each of their websites.

Elie Saab

Elie Saab Bridal FW24 is a poetic expression of optimism and promise. The collection is a glimpse into a bygone era of alluring femininity, celebrating glamorous bridal elegance in simple lines, exceptional detailing and subtle sparkle of diamond dust.

My opinion: Every detail for each dress (and there are a LOT of details) is so meticulously placed to flatter the woman’s body—I love this collection so much.

Sareh Nouri

This season, our collection at Sareh Nouri celebrates the timeless beauty of these dreams and infuses them with a touch of grown-up whimsy. We’ve designed every piece with shapes and details that embrace the little girl inside us all—the one who yearns for enchantment and romance as we embark on this incredible journey towards love and lifelong commitment. Prepare to be captivated by our latest collection, where elegance meets modern charm. Timeless and exquisite, our gowns feature the delicate beauty of French lace, adding a touch of romance to your special day.

My opinion: I am SUPER impressed at the cohesive variety here and love the youthful innocence of these designs. I’m also obsessed with that pink gown at the end of this gallery and love a leggy shoe moment.
These behind the scenes glimpses of this show are more interesting and compelling to me than even the runway images. It’s such a foreign world to the one I live in, it’s fun to see into it a little deeper.

Ines Di Santo

INES DI SANTO is an internationally renowned bridal gown and eveningwear designer. An unapologetic romantic, Ines has built her namesake brand by infusing every wedding gown with the essence of her passion for beauty, love, and desire.

Fueled by the eternal fantasy of the ‘perfect’ wedding gown, Ines Di Santo bridal gowns are a modern interpretation of classic couture techniques, exquisitely handcrafted embroideries, and the finest European fabrics….Using the gestures of fine art as a catalyst, she brought her art, Ines Di Santo bridal, to life in glamorous, feminine glory.

My opinion: I thought it was ok, but I included my favorite gowns from Sarah’s gallery. I absolutely love the draping and volume that’s going on with the designs below. As my own dress 9 years ago had a custom ice blue bodice, I get excited when I see bridal gowns using color. That textured blue princess gown is *chef’s kiss*. I’m also wondering where I can add a ribbed wall in our house like the backdrop from this show—obsessed.

Nardos

NARDOS is a luxury fashion house that has gained an international presence for its commitment to quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. Revered for its artistry in the world of haute couture, NARDOS garments are finely crafted using high-end fabrics and exquisite detailing. The brand's collections range from bespoke haute couture to ready-to-wear items, as well as bridal and accessories. Each season, NARDOS takes inspiration from the natural environment to create timeless feminine designs that exude old-world romanticism blended with modern elegance.

My opinion: Love the setting. I do like some of these gowns (especially that first fringe one) but overall I feel like the heavy textures (which I’m normally super into) were added in less flattering ways, making even these skinny gals look poorly flattered. I didn’t even include some of the more radical examples of this that made the women look positively lumpy.

Perhaps next year I’ll be giving you a view of NYFW Bridal from my own perspective.

Bisous.

Growing Together

Introduction:

This was originally written in 2021 for a digital storytelling platform for florists called Floralkin. I have referenced it so many times in the past few years, I would like to now include it on my own website.

Enjoy.

At the beginning of 2017, I began designing florals for weddings under the heading of my own studio. Later that year, I also gave birth to our first son, Dallas. At first, both were manageable. The baby human needed food, sleep, and loving affection while the young business required only periodic attention as it wobbled from one fledgling opportunity to the next. But then there was growth for both, and that changed things.

We now have two little boys (1.5yrs and 3.5yrs), both of whom need constant guidance. The studio, too, has grown from quietly designing flowers for friends’ events into the scrutiny or admiration of public awareness. The constant growth creates constant change which goes hand in hand with continual discovery. A world of beauty and success beckons. All I have to do is engage it constantly, unreservedly, and without faltering….Can I do this ? I want to. But what about my boys?

Almost every time I take my kids with me to run errands, someone will gesture to their little sweet faces and say, “Mine were that age yesterday. It goes by so fast.” But during a busy production week or in the wake of a particularly stirring presentation from my business group, all I want to do is to produce, to work, and to perform. I love what I do through and through and there are moments when I can hardly bear to tear myself away. But love is not the only driver. There is also fear, the fear of being left behind while I stay home and care for my babies.

There is also fear, the fear of being left behind while I stay home and care for my babies.

As I watch friends in the wedding industry (not necessarily florists) devote day after day of uninterrupted hours to the development of their brands, I feel a twinge of longing. I am not so far removed from the days of being single and childless that I don’t remember with some wistfulness the fluid freedom that time of life allowed. Outwardly, I celebrate my industry friends’ well-deserved milestones while inwardly, I wrestle with the fear that the needs of my children will hold me back until I am left alone in the spotty progress that occurs during a day partially dictated by the needs and whims of a boy and a toddler. But this faulty mindset only occurs when I am so focused on a single stone in my path, that I forget to look up and see the landscape that surrounds me. I knew that raising a family while growing a business would be difficult. What I did not realize was how these two endeavors would inform each other for good.

Raising kids while developing my studio has led to greater clarity and concentrated focus in my business. The presence of the boys’ grubby hands, incomprehensible words, and glowing faces compel me to decide my value as a florist. I do not waste time on projects I am not excited about or with clients who I cannot serve well. My beautiful boys give me the motivation I need to balance life and work, and both my life and my work are better because they coexist.

…my children have actually guided and stabilized the direction of Emily Kaye Floral Atelier.

Every day I struggle to let go of a perceived ideal: that success comes only when I can singly focus on my business. On the contrary, my children have actually guided and stabilized the direction of Emily Kaye Floral Atelier. When I step away from comparing my journey to other’s, I see the richness of my life filled with flowers and family. I see how good it is for the boys to observe their mother pursuing her passions. I see that my boys positively influence the studio and the way I serve my clients. It’s not easy in the moment, but I will continue to work to let go of the belief that it is impossible for my boys and my business to grow healthy and strong together. I believe that they are healthier and stronger because they are growing together.

Afterward:

Only this week I saw this comment under the original post on Floralkin. It is a generous comment because her vulnerability strengthens my resolve to not give up the time that I spend at home for the sake of more or better working days—

“I wanted to do both as well. My business doubled every year. My boys grew up fast like everyone says. I had a house cleaner and workers in the flower shop. There will always be wedding and corporate work I did both. I'd give anything to go back and work less. I can't even remember one of my sons eighth year.”