Three extraordinary floral talents have emerged as the prestigious Talent Award 2025 finalists. After a thrilling series of regional preliminaries held on March 26 and 28, Carla Bouwland, Valentin Candia Mahn, and Nina Heuts have captivated the jury with their creativity, craftsmanship, and impeccable sense of style. They will now advance to the grand finale on May 14, hosted at Chrysal in Naarden.
The road to the finale was paved with imagination and technical mastery. Taking place at renowned Decorum growers, the preliminary rounds challenged eight selected participants with two demanding tasks. First, they were to create an arrangement in a single vase, ensuring the bouquet and vase formed one cohesive whole. Second, they crafted a floral design on Sideau®, with the grower’s assortment as the centerpiece of the creation. Each design showcased personality and flair, but only three could earn their place in the final spotlight.
Creatives on Display During the Regionals
Set against the backdrop of celebrated Decorum growers, the preliminary rounds held on March 26 and 28 offered participants a chance to express their talent through two challenging assignments. The first task required designing an arrangement on a single vase where the vase and bouquet formed one cohesive piece. The second assignment challenged florists to create a floral design using the sustainable Sideau® base, featuring blooms directly from the hosting grower’s assortment.
Only three were selected to move forward from eight hand-picked participants. Their work stood out for their ability to translate flowers into visual stories that resonated with the jurors. Carla, Valentin, and Nina now carry the torch as finalists heading into what promises to be a breathtaking showdown in May.
Talent Award 2025 Elevates New Floral Voices
The Talent Award is more than a competition. It is a platform to uplift emerging floral creatives—whether students, new florists, or career changers—who have yet to win a professional floral contest. This initiative, powered by SIDEAU®, highlights the importance of nurturing the next generation of floral designing and creativity.
The Talent Award becomes a source of inspiration within the floral community, revealing tomorrow’s leading talents today. This competition honors innovation and skill and provides a stage where passion for flowers takes center stage.
Why These Three Finalists Stood Out
“The quality this year was incredibly high,” the jury shared. Participants dared to be different. We saw bold choices, craftsmanship, and authentic storytelling through flowers. Carla, Valentin, and Nina were simply outstanding.”
Each of these finalists demonstrated a distinct flair. Carla impressed with sculptural balance, Valentin brought storytelling and drama, and Nina surprised with refined minimalism and trend-forward styling. Their creative fingerprints are already being recognized in the floral world, even before they step into the finale.
The Grand Finale Awaits at Chrysal
Set for May 14 at Chrysal’s headquarters in Naarden, the final will go beyond floristry alone. It will test each contestant on their ability to present a commercially attractive, original, and emotionally resonant design. This competition will not just celebrate floral beauty but spotlight the full spectrum of what it means to be a modern-day floral artist.
The audience can expect more than flowers. The finale will be a meeting point for floral professionals, stylists, and design aficionados who understand that floristry is an evolving language—one where sustainability, presentation, and storytelling intertwine.
Follow the Journey
More details about the Talent Award 2025 finale, including how to follow the event and the finalists' stories, will be shared soon on social media. Each finalist will also receive support in preparing for their final moment on stage, ensuring their vision can bloom fully.
Stay tuned for updates and get ready to be inspired by the brilliance of new floral voices. For more powerful stories and floral artistry worldwide, continue exploring on Thursd.
