“A bouquet made specially for you, guiding your soul to utopia.”- miki w. Studio Founder, Miki Wei

From a flower bud to blooms then withers, every floral arrangement blossoms in its own way, every moment of a plant is worth observing and appreciating. Through the medium of my studio in Minsheng Neighborhood, miki w. Studio founded by Miki Wei, utilizes both her hands to prepare, cut, and layer the flowers. Her bouquet makes every single flower a leading star. In this colorful floral world, Miki endeavours to preach the most genuine spectrum of plants incorporating thoughts, materials, and outfits. Follow Miki Wei’s flower-like attitude and feel inooknit’s gentle touch.

I was originally a magazine editor, and went through a high-pressure work environment creating bimonthly magazines. And I had a habit of walking in the park near the company I worked for, and came across this floral shop that soothed my soul, soon after,  and I started buying flowers and bouquets there. My social media got more attention because of floristry-related contents. Surprisingly, it brought good vibes to my colleagues and roommates in their distressed life. Then one time I got commissioned by friends to make my first ever wedding bouquet for them. In the passive early stage, floral art was my way of relieving stress, but the focus of my work gradually surpassed the initial editorial workload. So when my life was at the crossroads, I chose to leave my job, to rest and settle down, and embark on the road of floristry. It seemed adventurous and risky, but I decided to follow my heart where it leads.

As a seasoned floral designer( laughter), people considered this industry to be a “florist shop”. I gained a lot of insights about contents and media overseas, naturally it led me to try new styles, and I immediately wanted to change the stereotype of “only moms pay for floristry lessons.” Essentially, it led me to the path of being a floristry instructor. After working for a while, I went to Paris to begin my advanced study, and it broadened the scope of my knowledge for plantation and floristry.

It's really hard to define! In the past, people would distinguish flower arrangement styles in German, British, French, Japanese and other styles, but in recent years, they have become more and more integrated, such as the ikebana-inspired style (Japanese flower arrangement) that is popular in Europe and the United States. I think what’s trending now is that we use our own life experience to express and explain consciousness, and finally create works that belong to "you". So the more you focus on exploring inward, the more you can get out of your personal characteristics. Compared with the mass-produced templates, returning to the things you are passionate about can serve a different appearance. As I often focus on the lines and postures of the flowers, I try to center each of their beauty regardless of its size.

I am very honest with myself, so I usually pick flowers with my instincts or simply observe how the shop owners would arrange flowers for his/her clients in order to distinguish my style from theirs. Of course, if I noticed some exceptional works by other floral designers then I’d say to myself: “Damn! I need to be better!” I am easily motivated that way. Regarding my inspirations, I think that the flower itself plays a huge part. The flowers in season are exquisite, therefore the environment and the season are both inspirational to me; not to mention the books and magazines that I’ve been reading.

Floristry art generally uses fresh flowers so about 7 days later we’ll have to say goodbye to them. Therefore, I’ve learned to observe every stage of the flower life cycle. When I bought it, it was a bud, then it bloomed, and then it withered; every stage was worth paying attention to. At first, it was about how to prolong its life. Now I care more about its realist appearance; even dead branches perform an extraordinary attitude about life.

miki w. not only make ordinary bouquets but also provide floristry lessons and gift boxes for special events. In terms of a plantation, I think commercializing it is a good thing, because it introduces various flowers to more people. For example, through “Weekly Flower Plan” it helps the style change with different topics chosen; we might have to use some stereotypically “tacky” flowers to design and create innovative looks. This action also helps local farmers by consuming the flowers from them.

I am very casual about my floristry designs, I don’t necessarily want to force out any eloquent definition through my art. They are pretty simple, the intention is usually to send blessings for someone’s birthday; an opening; celebrations etc. and every design has its own meaning. Compared to other jobs, being a floral designer makes me learn about the geunicy between the sender and the receiver, the art became a sense of mission because it can be the spokesperson for the loved ones.

Many of my clients are regulars, they have been with me this whole time! Some clients became my students, and some students of mine became my clients. A person said: “I hope I can order flowers from you even when I’m 80 years old.” The bouquet plays a part in everyone’s life and I love the sentiments.

Every time I buy a vessel or pick the furniture for my studio, I always consider if it suits flowers, so basically anything I buy, I buy for my flowers. As soon as I received inooknit’s The Desert collections, they immediately made me connect to nature, and they embellish spring and life with a fun style.

Super comfortable. I usually wear no-show socks when I wear flats, but not with inooknit’s shoes. I could immediately feel the softness and the breathability of the flats. I also love the mountain grain of the Camel Zigzag, the details are subtle and elegant, they can also be worn as a casual style. In the morning, I can simply put on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans with a finishing touch of the Zigzag flats; in the afternoon floristry lessons, I’d put on a sundress and the Zigzag, they add a tone of professionalism.

I have so many collaborations this year, I will work with different artists on various exhibitions: flowers can play a part in your life in a different manner.

About miki w. studio

Founded in 2018, miki w. studio has involved herself into exhibitions, lessons, space designs and more customized collaborations. Delivered the philosophy of living through floral day by day.

Instagram: @mikiw_studio

Photographer/ 鄭弘敬 @teikoukei

Texts/ Eva Chen ＠chenyihua06