kristen griffith vanderyacht real name

Big Flower Fight Judge Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht Wants to Get Back to the Dome

"It feels like you're stepping into the Secret Garden, " he says.

• On the show, teams of floral designers are challenged to create elaborate structures made of plants.
• In an interview with OprahMag.com, Griffith-VanderYacht opened up his career, the show, and what he really thinks of the contestants stealing flowers.

Mary Berry. Ru Paul . Simon Cowell. When it comes to reality competition shows, the judges, with their idiosyncratic personalities and catch-phrases, are as important as the talent. As judge of The Big Flower Figh t on Netflix, acclaimed florist Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht, 36, joins that lauded set—but only he knows how to construct a giant recreation of a miniature Schnauzer, made entirely of long grasses (watch the episode "Huge Hairy Beasts " to see the installation in all its glory).

"It's more than just shoving flowers into a vase," Griffith-VanderYacht, the owner of Seattle's Wild Bloom Florals , whose arrangements have been featured in celebrity weddings and on magazine covers, tells OprahMag.com of The Big Flower Fight .

That's an understatement. On The Big Flower Fight , 10 teams of two are challenged to create elaborate floral installations, ranging from life-size couture dresses made of cut flowers to super-sized insects crafted with living plants. Along with a guest judge, Griffith-VanderYacht crowns one winning team, and eliminates another.

Griffith-VanderYacht's involvement with The Big Flower Fight started with an Instagram DM. "It was probably the most nontraditional route a person could take to getting on television," Griffith-VanderYacht jokes.

The Seattle native was dropping his baby son off at daycare when he got a message on Instagram about a mysterious TV project. Griffith-Vanderyacht pulled into a Starbucks parking lot, "because they have that good WiFi, and you can't mess around with WiFi," and had a 10-minute video call with strangers.

"I didn't even know what I was auditioning for. Then I heard back maybe two weeks later, they're like, 'Okay, we would like you for this project.' And I was like, "Well, what's the project?" And they're like, 'It's for Netflix.' And then my wig blew off," Griffith-VanderYacht says.

While The Big Flower Fight came out of nowhere, Griffith-VanderYacht has been "planting the seeds" (sorry!) for a similar opportunity for years, thanks to his illustrious career in the floral industry.

According to Wild Bloom Floral's website , Griffth-VanderYacht's flowers have been in major publications across the US, including Martha Stewart Weddings , Traditional Home Magazine , and The Knot , and seen on Good Morning America and E! . His flowers for actress Julianne Hough's wedding were featured on the front cover of People .

Wild Bloom Floral is the culmination of Griffith-VanderYacht's lifelong love of flowers. Growing up in Detroit, he spent summers tending to his mother's garden in their large backyard. "I was like, yes, this is amazing! I get to play in the dirt, and pull stuff out. Little did I know it was manual labor," he says with a laugh.

While gardening, Griffith-VanderYacht says he feels "rooted in something very true to [himself]." In 2011, Griffith-VanderYacht took steps to turn his lifelong hobby into a career. "I had never really known anything about the professional side of floristry. So, I allowed myself to really just get into it and observe and read and research and play. That was probably the biggest gift I could have given myself... the opportunity to play with flowers, because through that, I discovered my own voice," he says.

As a judge, Griffith-VanderYacht hopes to be an example for other aspiring florists, especially those of color.

"I want it to be a really good representation, not just on the show, but in my everyday life, of Black excellence, and what it means to be a person of color that other little kids can look up to and say, 'Wow, I didn't know that it could be cool to be a florist!' I didn't get to have that as a little kid. It was something that I had to discover," he says.

There's one child that Griffith-VanderYacht thinks of, especially: His son Hugo, whom Griffith-VanderYacht and his husband, Aaron, adopted back in June 2019 .

"I take that role incredibly seriously, not only for myself, but also for my son. He has the rare and very singular opportunity to grow up having two parents of very different races and very different cultural backgrounds. And so I want him to experience and understand the richness and the dichotomy of both of those worlds," Griffith-VanderYacht says.

In addition to raising his son, Griffith-VanderYacht hopes to have more "flower babies" in the future, too. When asked about challenges that didn't make the season, he's reluctant to give them away.

"I'm not going to tell you because I'm hoping they'll be in season 2, if we get one," he says.

For now, The Big Flower Fight 's eight-episode first season is worth watching for Griffith-VanderYacht's jewel-toned suits, coordinated especially for the challenges, and for his commentary, which is as colorful as the flowers themselves. One particularly memorable zinger? Griffith-VanderYacht staring at the droopy face of a lion statue, and saying: "I asked for character . I did not ask for sloppy ."

While always honest, he tempers his pronouncements with kindness and genuine awe. Even now, he speaks of the contestants' accomplishments with pride. "I feel like those teams are all my babies. They're my flower children," he says.

With that sentiment in mind, he's a mentor first, and a judge second. As the teams build their structures, Griffith-VanderYacht gives restrained pointers (and occasional side-eye).

"When it was appropriate, I would give them advice. Other times, like any parent, you have to let your kids experience failure in order to learn. But it was tempting to go and help," he says.

From his position on the sidelines, Griffith-VanderYacht also bears witness to the small spats that put the "fight" in The Big Flower Fight , like when Irish team Eoghan and Declan stockpile all the tall grasses to prevent others from using it, or when Yan and Henck steal mirrors.

"Even the stealing is a little tongue in cheek. It doesn't even feel like, Ooh, I'm out to get you . It's more like, I'm just being competitive. It's all in good fun," he says.

Being an observer, not a participant, had another perk: While the participants sweated in the humid dome, where the installations were constructed, Griffith-VanderYacht could appreciate its beauty—then get fresh air.

"You can get transported walking into the dome. It feels like you're stepping into the Secret Garden. It's like you're going from black-and-white into Technicolor. You are Dorothy coming out of her house and walking into Oz," he says. He can't wait to get back to the dome—and neither can we.

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Elena Nicolaou is the former culture editor at Oprah Daily. 

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Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht Wiki, Age, Height, Weight, Biography & Family

Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht (born in 1990) an American reality show star and a florist. The famous magazine Harper’s Bazaar named him one of the top florists in the world.

He basically provides flower decoration services to high-fi weddings in the USA. Other than weddings he also provides services for parties.

On Netflix, a new show named “The Big Flower Fight” got released on 18 th May 2020. In this show, you will see stars like Natasia Demetriou, Vic Reeves, and obviously Kristen Griffith. In this show, you will see florists, sculptors, and garden designers competing to build a garden sculpture.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CASxcauJCwC/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Childhood, Parents, Siblings & Education

One of the World’s top florists named Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht (age 29 years old as in the year 2019) took birth in New York, USA. He landed on the earth in the year 1990.

It is his first show where he will now describe himself and his career. Much of the data about his life is still missing which will be available in the near future on Wikicelebs.com.

He grew up in central NYC and here he attended a local private school. He is an artist and this started reflecting from his personality when he was in school. Just because of this he won many art competitions during that time.

Personal life, Gay Husband & Children

There many people who do not know but Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht is gay. He is married to his husband Aaron Griffith-VanderYacht.

They both met in New York back in the year 2011. They both are quite fond of each other and this is the reason why they both got married in the year 2013. Kristen and his partner are very open about their sexuality.

They both decided that they want to adopt a kid and this is the reason why they adopted a son in the year 2016.

The couple became his parents on 15 June in the same year. The name of their child is Hugo.

They say the kid will make their life more wonderful and they are nothing but happy to have him in their life.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CANktj8JDi5/

Some Lesser Known Facts about Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht

• Now that he will appear in the show it will be interesting to see how he works.
• But it will also be interesting to know how his career started and what he does in his life to earn his bread.
• Wikicelebs.com discovered that he has an interest in gardening from his teens.

• As he grew up he decided that he wants to be a florist. He wanted to be a professional one that is why he took professional training.
• Now he has his business in New York where he takes orders to provide flower decoration facilities.
• He is famous for his service and that is the reason why he is recognized as one of the bests in this field.
• Being a florist Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht is doing a good job and now he is appearing in a Netflix show. This show will be a leap in his career.
• The makers of the show brought a very new and different concept through which they will target the new segment of the audience.
• Her husband supports him in his business. As of 2020, his net worth is around $700 k and it seems like with the popularity of the show it will increase to a great extent.
• He loves to get clicked.
• Kristen has a big team who helps him in doing his work as the job that he does is not of a single person.
• His husband is also present on Insta but he has a private account by the name “aarongvy”.
• Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht loves to get dressed well and with his 5 ft 9 in tall (1.75 m) he looks impressive.

• More than 19 k people are Kristen’s followers on Instagram and this count is going up and up.
• In the show, he will appear as a judge and said that he will neither use a sugar-coated speech but will also not be harsh with words in his comments.
• The makers of the show “The Big Flower Fight” approached him through an Instagram DM.
• As Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht said he got interviewed for the show in a Starbucks café

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10 Things You Didn’t Know about Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht

Creativity comes in many different forms, and Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht is proof. He is widely considered one of the most talented florists in the world. His ability to create beautiful bouquets and designs is unmatched. Although most people think making a floral design is as easy as slapping some flowers together, Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht has shown that there is true artistry behind it. He recently gained mainstream popularity as one of the judges of Netflix’s floral design competition show, The Big Flower Fight . Now that his fan base is growing by the day, so are the possibilities for his career.  Continue reading for 10 things you didn’t know about Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht.

1. His Path To The Big Flower Fight Started With A DM

Direct messages on Instagram are usually reserved for romantic advances and random conversations, but apparently they can also be a great place for business opportunities. Kristen says he received a random DM about a TV project and was asked to do a quick video call. He told The Oprah Magazine , “I didn’t even know what I was auditioning for. Then I heard back maybe two weeks later, they’re like, ‘Okay, we would like you for this project.’ And I was like, “Well, what’s the project?” And they’re like, ‘It’s for Netflix.’ And then my wig blew off.”

2. He Owns A  Shop In Seattle

Kristen has been fortunate enough to see his wildest dreams come true in more ways than one. In addition to being a talented florist, Kristen is also an entrepreneur. He owns his own flower shop in Seattle called Wild Bloom. Thanks to the show, there’s a good chance his shop will become even more popular.

3. He Sees Flowers As A Gateway

For Kristen, flowers are more than just something to put in the middle of your kitchen table as a center piece. Instead, he believes they are like art and he believes they have the power to connect people. According to his website , he “views floristry as a gateway to a happier more sustainable life that focuses on bridging the gap between nature and modern living.”

4. He’s A Family Man

Kristen may have a successful career, but that isn’t the only thing he’s focused on. He’s also a very dedicated family man. He is happily married to Aaron Griffith-VanderYacht. The couple has one child together, a son named Hugo . The couple adopted Hugo in June 2019 and are having a great time raising their sweet baby boy.

5. He Became Interested In Flowers As A Child

When Kristen was young, he spent a lot of time working in his mother’s garden. He says, “I was like, yes, this is amazing! I get to play in the dirt, and pull stuff out. Little did I know it was manual labor.” What started as a simple hobby quickly became something Kristen wanted to take seriously.

6. His Work Has Been Featured In Major Publications

Kristen has put in a lot of work over the last several years, and his resume speaks for itself. His website says that his work has been featured in several publications across the country including “ Martha Stewart Weddings, Traditional Home Magazine, and The Knot, and seen on Good Morning America and E! Network . His flowers for actress Julianne Hough were featured on the front cover of People Magazine .”

7. He Wants To Represent Black Excellence

Representation is very important to Kristen. There aren’t a lot of other young Black men working in the floral industry, and he hopes that he can show young people that a career as a florist is possible and wanting to work in the field isn’t anything to be embarrassed about.

8. Gardening Keeps Him Grounded

There aren’t many people who can truly say they love what they do. Even though working with flowers is Kristen’s job, it’s also something he does as a way to relieve stress. Kristen says that gardening helps keep him “rooted in something very true to himself”.

9. He Hopes People Understand How Much Work Goes Into Being A Florist

Kristen hopes that people who watch The Big Flower Fight come away with an understanding of how complex floristry is. Most people think being a florist is nothing more than picking out some cute flowers and putting them in a vase, but the show provides a more thorough look at what florists are actually capable of.

10. He Sees Himself As A Mentor On The Show

Judges on reality competition shows have a reputation for being mean and snarky, but that isn’t Kristen’s style at all. Although he is technically a judge on The Big Flower Fight , he likes to think of himself as a mentor. He would step in and offer advice when necessary, but he also let contestants experiment and learn things on their own.

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Camille Moore

Camille has a master's degree from Saint Joseph University's Writing Studies program, and she currently works as the Writing Center Assistant Director at a small university in western Pennsylvania. Camille's writing has been published on several websites, and she enjoys writing articles and short stories in her spare time. You can follow Camille on Twitter @CamealAshley.

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'The Big Flower Fight' Judge Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht Believes in Honesty

May 18 2020, Updated 3:43 p.m. ET

The Big Flower Fight sees 10 green-thumbed participants fight for the chance to have a display at London's one and only Kew Gardens. 

Akin to The Great British Baking Show and The Great British Sewing Bee, the eight-episode-long series celebrates the power of creativity — and the effort that goes into the magnificent designs. 

To decide which contestant is the most talented, judge Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht will be joined by various guests every week. 

So, who is Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht, the judge on 'The Big Flower Fight'?

As the founder of the cultic New-York-based brand, Wild Bloom, Kristen has created dazzling flower installations and wedding bouquets for some of the most exacting clients out there. 

Offering services that go far beyond those found at your average flower shop, he turns the simplest displays into a manifestation of artistry. 

In the past, Kristen's work was featured in Martha Stewart Wedding s, Traditional Home Magazine , The Knot, and many others. 

In addition to his long list of media appearances, Kristen also runs a studio for amateur florists and emerging professionals. 

It's perhaps reasonable to argue that this might make him the best for judging. As someone with vast experience in education and design, he is able to assess the creations and offer top-notch feedback. 

"I'm a very honest judge but I like to think that I'm encouraging, I'm not here to tear anyone down. I know that the creative energy they are putting into their creations is immense," Kristen explained in a previous interview with Radio Times . 

"At the same time, I believe in them, and if I can see that they're coasting through, then what's the point? I don't want you to come to this competition and show me something you've already done," he added. 

View this post on Instagram This is the face a Valentines Day survivor! We did it!! Big thanks to @westelm and @westelmbellevue for the amazing opportunity. I couldn’t have done it without my awesome team @stephanie_roseanne_design_ and @calebf07 we shine brighter together 🌟🌟🌟 #wildbloomfloral A post shared by Kristen Griffith VanderYacht (@kristengvy) on Feb 15, 2018 at 8:50am PST

Already hailed as "the new Mary Berry," Kristen is bound to amaze viewers with his level-headed and considerate approach. As Kristen explained in an interview with Good Housekeeping, The Big Flower Fight gave him an unmatched opportunity to champion flower design. 

"My mission is to help flowers finally get the respect they deserve. This isn't your basic bunch of blooms. This is the real deal. So buckle up and get your shovel ready for some farm fresh floral fantasy realness!" he said. 

As the owner and creative director of Wild Bloom, Kristen aims to utilize his vast knowledge of everything plant-related to create wonderful displays and rare marvels. It's likely that he will promote this ethos on the show as well, encouraging contestants to compose works that go far beyond the standards of floristry.

In addition to his incredible achievements in the world of design, Kristen also has an enviable family life. He and his husband adopted their first son, Hugo, in June 2019.

"I’m definitely my own person. I haven’t seen anyone on TV like me: a black, gay man with a baby who he adopted with his husband. I’ve had such an interesting journey and I want to bring all those experiences, and that authenticity, to my role as a judge," Kristen told Radio Times . 

"And I really want to inspire young people to live their lives with passion and chase their dreams. In order to do that, you have to take your craft seriously. But you can have a little cheek and fun along the way!" he added. 

The Big Flower Fight is available on Netflix now. 

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Screen Rant

Big flower fight: who is kristian griffith-vanderyaucht.

Kristen originally came on to Big Flower Fight as a highly successful florist in the industry. He offered contestants knowledge in plants and business

Big Flower Fight  is the newest reality competition that features seasoned artisans utilizing their honed crafts to create floral masterpieces. Likewise, the show recruited their own floral master sculptor, in Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht, to judge the rag tag group of flower connoisseurs who appeared on the show.

Kristen added to one of the many exuberant elements on the series. He emphasized to the contestants in each competition that he wanted to see colorful extravagance in their garden sculptures . The contestants learned quickly that what Kristen really was looking for is an exuberance of floral color exhibited within their designs. Being the master sculptor that he is, Griffith-VanderYacht was tasked to create the baseline example sculptures for each of the competitions. These projects ranged from a garden sculpture rendition of Kristen's dog to extravagant floral masterpieces , such as his purple flowered dress. With clear cut talent as a sculptor and florist, Kristen has a highly esteemed background in the industry.

Related:  Who is Nadiya Hussain from Netflix's Nadiya's Time To Eat

Kristen originally grew up in Detroit and honed his floristry craft tending to his mother's garden. While gardening, Kristen claims to feel   "rooted in something very true to [himself]."  In 2011, Kristen turned his passion for flowers into a wildly successful business. He currently runs the company Wild Bloom Floral which is based out of Seattle. Wild Bloom creates extravagant floral arrangements for weddings, events, and workshops. The company has even catered for the wedding of famous actress Julianne Hough.

Kristen was originally chosen as the show's lead judge due to his success in the floral industry. Originally, it is rumored that the show reached out to Kristen via Instagram direct messages. Kristen claims to have received the initial message to appear on the show while dropping off his adopted baby boy at day care. He states to have immediately pulled into a Starbucks parking lot,  "Because they have that good WiFi, and you can't mess around with WiFi. I didn't even know what I was auditioning for. Then I heard back maybe two weeks later, they're like, 'Okay, we would like you for this project.' And I was like, "Well, what's the project?" And they're like, 'It's for Netflix.' And then my wig blew off."  Much like his business Kristen's Instagram is a floral masterpiece and it's likely probably blew the producers "wigs off" as well. He posts frequently showing off beautiful floral arrangements and catered events of which his business has amplified.

Since appearing on the show, Kristen is now enjoying a celebrity status that has not only catapulted his fame in the florist industry but also his business. Kristen's flowers have been featured in major publications such as  Martha Stewart Weddings ,  The Knot ,  Traditional Home Magazine , and  Good Morning America . Most notably, his flowers for the Julianne Hough wedding were featured on the cover of  People Magazine . As a judge on the show he states that he hoped to set a good example for other upcoming florists hoping to make it in to the industry. Fans can check out more of Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht on the artistic, new gardening show  Big Flower Fight .

Next:  Nadiya's Time to Eat: The Great British Baking Show Champion Nadiya Hussain Stirs It Up on Netflix

Source: Oprah Magazine

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Meet The Big Flower Fight judges: Kristen and the guests from every episode!

After months of anticipation, The Big Flower Fight has finally landed on Netflix on Monday, May 18th.

Like the floral answer to  The Great British Bake Off , this series sees ten teams of floral designers – amateurs and professionals – compete for a money-can’t-buy prize.

Instead of a huge lump sum, they are offered the chance to have their work installed in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew.

The show is headed up by British comedians Vic Reeves and Natasia Demetriou, who are bound to bring much-needed laughter and light to the madness of the design series. But who are the judges on The Big Flower Fight? Find out about the respected industry pros here.

Who are The Big Flower Fight judges?

• Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht
• Humaira Ikram
• Simon Lycett
• James Alexander-Sinclair
• Melissa Richardson
• Sarah Eberle
• Sophie Walker

Meet Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht

Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht is a floral designer who leads as the main judge on The Big Flower Fight. Each episode, Kristen is joined by a team of guest judges who help him in his deliberations.

Kristen runs Wild Bloom, a florist which creates bespoke arrangements. His creations have featured in publications like Martha Stewart Weddings, Traditional Home Magazine, and The Knot. He also has some A-List clientele, having created flowers for actress and dancer Julianne Hough ( America’s Got Talent ) which featured on the front cover of People Magazine.

His success in the industry was cemented when he was named one of the top florists in the world by Harper’s Bazaar.

• MEET THE CAST: We found The Big Flower Fight contestants on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9uPpd2pJEd/

Get to know the judges from each episode

The Big Flower Fight managed to rope in some of the top floral designers in the world, from royal garden designers to top landscape artists.

Episode 2 introduced viewers to Royal flower designer Simon Lycett. He is a favourite of Elizabeth II and royal palaces around the world.

James Alexander-Sinclar was introduced as episode 3’s guest judge, but returned to help Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht make the final decision in episode 8. He is a  garden and landscape designer, who also is one of the top judges at floral events around the world.

Sarah Eberle has won the gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 17 times! She is famed for using reclaimed materials in her garden designs. Sophie Walker’s sculptural gardens can be found all over the world from Japan to India, even to the Bahamas. So, a pretty tough judging team!

WATCH THE BIG FLOWER FIGHT ON NETFLIX NOW

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Mornings with Mayesh: Flower Love w/ Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht

Yesterday, I had so much fun delving into the world of floral design with Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht. Kristen is a renowned floral designer and author of the book " Flower Love ". He shares his journey in the industry, the challenges he faced, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. Kristen also discusses his new book and dives into what readers can expect, how he selected the cover images out of the 45 designs showcased in the book, his philosophy on self-care and "it's just flowers, and how the book can inspire all designers of all levels. So let's dive in and explore the world of flowers with Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht.

P.S. Also, as mentioned during the show, be sure to check out the other books I have featured in past shows!

Below are the podcast, video replay, and show notes:

• Kristen, we are here today to talk about your new book, Flower Love. Can you tell us more about the book and what readers can expect?
• With 45 designs showcased in the book, how did you decide which one to feature on the cover?
• You mentioned self-care in your book. What role do you believe flowers play in enhancing our emotional well-being and connection with nature?
• Can you elaborate on the saying used in the book, “it’s just flowers”?
• In the middle of the book, you tell the story of your “big break”. You went into great detail, but I was hoping you could share a little about the story.
• How has your personal relationship with flowers evolved over the years, and how is it reflected in the book?
• What's next for you in your journey with flowers and creativity after the release of "Flower Love". 
• https://wildbloomfloral.com/flower-love-book
• https://www.instagram.com/kristengvy

Audience Questions & Comments:

• Malva & Moss Floral Studio Social media often showcases stories of success, and it's relatively rare to find experienced florists who are willing to openly share their failures. However, we are all human, and these experiences are often the most valuable, as they provide significant learning opportunities. Can you recount a time when you faced a significant setback, made a mistake, or encountered a challenge that ultimately taught you a valuable lesson and knowledge you'd like to share? Additionally, I truly appreciate your authenticity and openness! Please, continue to stay true to yourself, and never lose that quality!
• The Floral Cottage Do you suggest buying like a Mayesh Pull and put a bunch of arrangements together when your starting out to get pics and sales?
• rosemarysgardenflorals This book is such a great concept! It looks easy to understand the recipes, appreciate that ☺️
• flowersbybiancajade I’m self-taught and working off insta and FB , I’d like to grow my teeny tiny business but feel lost in how to!!!!
• rosemarysgardenflorals I would really love to learn more about how to connect with wedding planners! I feel like contacting them out of the blue is odd, but I really don't know what is common in the industry
• flowersbybiancajade And what programs and software did u start out with or do you recommend for a little biz starting out from an organizational, admin
• holidayhillevents I just want to hug you lol
• Holidayhillevents I always order extra for myself
• homestead_weddings_and_events Awww thanks for the words of wisdom! I needed to hear so many of things you mentioned today:)
• holidayhillevents How do you feel about styled shoots?
• anne_es_garden_fresh Love the free flowers on Monday idea!
• foresthillflowers Love all this flower power wisdom, Kristen!
• anne_es_garden_fresh “Inner saboteur” is a choice - aha!
• holidayhillevents I want the STORIES!
• florastories.sfbayarea Any advice on how to be more confident in pricing and getting higher end clients
• holidayhillevents Wisdom is when we can grow from other people's experiences. I love that you share yours.
• analuisavillalpando Thank you for sharing. Beautiful reminder of our worth.
• anne_es_garden_fresh Could “Stories” become a calendar?
• tlingitkiwi Any workshops coming up?
• anne_es_garden_fresh Your art work for “Wild Bloom” with the fruit, tendrils & flowers is gorgeous and tender and just the right wild for me.
• yblacker Flower therapy counts
• lauriemcoleman I think you are right. You have to learn to set reasonable expectations. Many creatives are perfectionists, which leads to terrible stress.

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The Floral Pantry

Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht

{ TASTEMAKER PROFILE }

Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht specializes in the creation of unique floral arrangements that celebrate enchanting flowers and natural beauty. Kristen is the owner and creative director of Wild Bloom. His career began in New York City where he worked for some of the top designers in the industry. Since opening his own studio, his flowers have been in major publications across the US, including Martha Stewart Weddings, Traditional Home Magazine, and The Knot, and seen on Good Morning America and E! Network. His flowers for actress Julianne Hough were featured on the front cover of People Magazine.

Kristen describes his design philosophy as a combination of editorial with a sensibility for distinctive and organic perspectives. He has an exquisite and rich design eye which has helped to transform the role that florals play in weddings and events. In addition to his extensive portfolio, his studio also provides private classes and workshops for emerging floral artists and enthusiasts.

Kristen views floristry as a gateway to a happier more sustainable life that focuses on bridging the gap between nature and modern living. He continues his work towards elevating the artistry of floral design as a fine art while expanding his design portfolio to include gardening, house plants and home decor. | wildbloomfloral.com

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The Big Flower Fight Is a Glorious Escape For Those of Us Trapped Inside

Netflix's latest entry in the 'Nice Reality TV' canon is emotional comfort food for times like these.

Like many New Yorkers, I don’t have a car, placing parks farther afield out of reach. Sometimes I hatch plans for treks to more distant parkland, but the sight of morgue trucks at my nearby hospital, two blocks away and spotted during every grocery store run and most walks around the neighborhood, tends to break my cabin fever. There is one local spot filled with grass, dirt, and trees: the neighborhood cemetery. It’s a beautiful and moving place to visit, but, of course, far from fun. Especially with all the new graves.

I know that’s a grim way to introduce an article about Netflix’s The Big Flower Fight , but the floristry and gardening reality competition is debuting in a grim world. Works whose spirits are at odds with their eras tend to either be tone deaf or pitch perfect , and this show is absolutely the latter. The competition, which gathers ten pairs of gardeners, artists, landscape designers, and florists under a giant dome in the British countryside to plant and prune way to the title of Best in Bloom, offers a burst of brightness, a celebration of natural beauty that feels like a balm for this isolated and aggressively hand-sanitized time.

Basically, The Big Flower Fight is The Great British Bake Off with carnations instead of cakes. In each episode, the pairs attempt to build a botanical sculpture based on challenges laid out by judges, a rotating cast of horticultural experts anchored by florist-to-the stars Kristen Griffith-Vanderyacht, which is exactly the name a person should have if they’re going to be a florist to the stars. Comedian hosts Vic Reeves and Natasia Demetriou steward us through this beautiful world, one that might as well have contestant Helen’s episode two statement as its guiding motto: “We’re competitive, but not in a nasty way.”

CHOOSE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION

On Flower Fight —which, during the episodes made available for review, features almost nothing in the way of fighting—contestants build grand, stunning botanical sculptures. The first episode’s insect-themed challenge produces a beautiful sphinx moth with coconut husk lugs, and the next episode, which finds contestants making couture gowns out of cut flowers, features one lovely creation with a bodice made of lily petals. It’s everything that, holed up far away from sphinx moths, coconuts, and lilies alike, I could dream of. But even during normal times, it would serve as diverting testament to the natural world’s boundless appeal.

The people are great, too. What We Do in the Shadows star Demetriou is quietly hilarious, wording her queries and commentary in a perfectly slanted style, as when she asks one guest judge, “What do your eyeballs dream of seeing when they finish the challenge?” The contestants include wedding florist Sarah and her assistant Jordan, who calls her friendship with her boss one of “my favorite relationships in my entire life,” and seems completely sincere, and father son pair Ralph and Jim, all smiling and supportive and enjoying their quality time together. My taste in reality TV is normally aimed squarely at the gutter, perhaps because I’m lucky enough to have a real life filled with decent human beings who behave in reasonable ways, and have no desire to fill my television viewing time with more of same. But now that so many of the decent human beings we care about most are physically out of reach, it’s comforting to see the ones featured on this show.

Much like Netflix’s glass blowing competition series Blown Away , The Big Flower Fight showcases an art form that often goes unheralded. And like Bake Off , it’s a feminine-coded craft. The coronavirus pandemic has illustrated just how much undervalued yet essential work is women's work, like nursing, teaching, cleaning, and childcare. Floral arrangements are anything but essential, but they are most often exchanged as a form of care and closeness—we send them to the sick, lay them over coffins, give them as presents to our moms and our Valentines. Even those of us lucky enough to be relatively free of worries about the health and safety of ourselves and our love ones could use a little extra care these days, and Flower Fight offers a lovely array.

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Episode 625: Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht designs a signature summer arrangement and introduces “Flower Love,” his new book

August 30th, 2023

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Today, we have a fun episode to share with you and the timing is perfect to welcome Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht to the Slow Flowers Podcast.

Kristen first appeared on the Podcast in July 2020 when he appeared on the small screen as head judge and Netflix’s breakout star on The Big Flower Fight . He is the owner of Seattle-based design studio Wild Bloom Floral , and is author of a brand-new, inspirational floral design book, called “Flower Love: Lush Floral Arrangements for the Heart and Home” – out on Tuesday, August 29 th .

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of the book and I invited Kristen to record an episode to talk about it and share with you. He recently came over to my home and garden. We recorded an interview about the book, and then Kristen grabbed his Fiskars clippers and harvested floral and foliage ingredients from the Slow Flowers Cutting Garden ~ what a treat for me to see what elements drew his attention and what he created with garden roses, dahlias, echinacea and cotinus –it is spectacular and reflects his aesthetic beautifully.

Kristen has been named a top floral designer by Harper’s Bazaar. He and his floral designs have been featured in Vogue, O Magazine, WWD, Town and Country, Traditional Home, New York magazine, People, Martha Stewart Weddings, and The Knot; his work has been seen on Good Morning America and E! Network.  

With stunning photography of forty-five arrangements, visual step-by-step instructions, and a unique, geometric approach to floral design, Kristen’s new book, “ Flower Love,”  is an empowering and joyful resource for anyone who wants to add fanciful floral whimsy to their everyday life.

Book Credits: “Flower Love” Copyright © 2023 by Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht. Photography copyright © 2023 by Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Random House.

Thanks so much for joining us today! If you’re local, check out details on Kristen’s Seattle book launch event on August 31st .

Thank you to our Sponsors

This show is brought to you by Slowflowers.com , the free, online directory to more than 850 florists, shops, and studios who design with local, seasonal and sustainable flowers and to the farms that grow those blooms. It’s the conscious choice for buying and sending flowers.

Thank you to our lead sponsor, Farmgirl Flowers . Farmgirl Flowers delivers iconic burlap-wrapped bouquets and lush, abundant arrangements to customers across the U.S., supporting U.S. flower farms by purchasing more than $10 million dollars of U.S.-grown fresh and seasonal flowers and foliage annually. Discover more at farmgirlflowers.com .

Thank you to Longfield Gardens , which provides home gardeners with high quality flower bulbs and perennials. Their online store offers plants for every region and every season, from tulips and daffodils to dahlias, caladiums and amaryllis. Check out the full catalog at Longfield Gardens at  longfield-gardens.com.

Thank you to Rooted Farmers . Rooted Farmers works exclusively with local growers to put the highest-quality specialty cut flowers in floral customers’ hands. When you partner with Rooted Farmers, you are investing in your community, and you can expect a commitment to excellence in return. Learn more at RootedFarmers.com .

Thank you to Johnny’s Selected Seeds , an employee-owned company that provides our industry the best flower, herb and vegetable seeds — supplied to farms large and small and even backyard cutting gardens like mine. Find the full catalog of flower seeds and bulbs at johnnysseeds.com .

News of the Week

Next week, we’ll resume our 10-year anniversary celebration of the award-winning Slow Flowers Podcast, featuring another past guest who originally appeared in year five. I can’t wait to share it with you!

I love all this floral goodness and I am so happy you joined me today! The  Slow Flowers Podcast  is a member-supported endeavor, downloaded more than one million times by listeners like you. Thank you for listening, commenting and sharing – it means so much. As our movement gains more supporters and more passionate participants who believe in the importance of our domestic cut flower industry, the momentum is contagious. I know you feel it, too. If you’re new to our weekly Show and our long-running Podcast, check out all of our resources at SlowFlowersSociety.com

I’m Debra Prinzing , host and producer of the Slow Flowers Show & Podcast . The  Slow Flowers Podcast  is engineered and edited by Andrew Brenlan. The content and opinions expressed here are either mine alone or those of my guests alone, independent of any podcast sponsor or other person, company or organization.  Next week, you’re invited to join me in putting more Slow Flowers on the table, one stem, one vase at a time. Thanks so much for joining us today and I’ll see you next week!

Music credits:

Town Market; Gaena by Blue Dot Sessions http://www.sessions.blue

Lovely by Tryad  http://tryad.bandcamp.com/album/instrumentals http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

In The Field audionautix.com

Related Posts

• Episode 487: Slow Flowers Floral Insights & Industry Forecast for 2021
• Episode 604: Sustainable Design for Event Florals with Ingrid Carozzi of Tin Can Studios
• Episode 599: Sustainable Luxury Floral Design with Susan Chambers of San Francisco’s bloominCouture
• Episode 592: Creating a sustainable, streamlined, and low-stress wedding floral business with Carolyn Kulb of Bloom Poet
• Episode 583: Farm and Studio Visit with Farmer-Florist Daniele Strawn of JoLee Blooms & Design in Sonoma County, California

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023 at 5:45 am and is filed under American Grown , Blog Posts , Book reviews , Creativity , floral design , General . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response , or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Episode 625: Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht designs a signature summer arrangement and introduces “Flower Love,” his new book”

Yay!!!! Congratulations to Kristen on getting the book published and thank you to the shout out to Seattle Wholesale Growers Market. Wonderful podcast, great conversation, really enjoyed seeing you both!

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Video: ‘the big flower fight’ head judge grades iconic celebrity floral looks.

Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht, the head judge on Netflix’s “The Big Flower Fight,” critiques famous floral frocks, from Jennifer Lopez’s jungle print dress to Alexander McQueen’s floral fantasy gown.

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Look Inside

Flower Love

Lush Floral Arrangements for the Heart and Home

By Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht

Category: crafts | weddings | reference.

Aug 29, 2023 | ISBN 9780593234969 | 8 x 11 --> | ISBN 9780593234969 --> Buy

Aug 29, 2023 | ISBN 9780593234976 | 8 x 11 --> | ISBN 9780593234976 --> Buy

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Aug 29, 2023 | ISBN 9780593234969

Aug 29, 2023 | ISBN 9780593234976

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About Flower Love

A playful, approachable guide to a rainbow of flower arrangements from the expert floral designer and host of Netflix’s The Big Flower Fight . Whether you are new to floristry or have been at it long enough to see carnations come in and out of fashion more times than the mullet, it’s easy to fall in love and stay in love with flowers. For Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht, flowers are everything—reminders of nature’s beauty, tools for building creative confidence, and a gateway to self-care. In Flower Love, Griffith-VanderYacht uses his effervescent sense of humor and sharp eye for design to bring accessible, sumptuous floral arrangements to flower lovers everywhere, from all walks of life. With stunning photography of forty-five arrangements, visual step-by-step instructions, and a unique, geometric approach to floral design, Flower Love is an empowering and joyful resource for anyone who wants to add fanciful floral whimsy to their everyday life. This book includes: • Step-by-step instructions for forty-five stunning floral arrangements • The Ten Floral Commandments • The elements of foolproof floral design • Helpful design hacks you won’t find anywhere else • A detailed flower glossary organized by color and season Learn to source and style lush floral arrangements with this primer on design. All you need are some flowers, scissors, and an appreciation for our planet’s ubiquitous natural beauty. So, pop on your favorite tunes and give yourself some Flower Love .

About Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht

Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht is a celebrity floral designer and the owner of floral design studio Wild Bloom in Seattle, Washington. Best known as the sassy head judge with a big heart on Netflix’s The Big Flower Fight, he’s been named a… More about Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht

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“A beautiful new book . . . a playful, approachable guide to creating forty-five stunning arrangements.” —The Floral Society

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Kristen Griffith-Vanderyacht

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• Self - Guest
• 2022 • 1 ep

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