Larry Walshe Studios is a British heritage brand that ideates, produces, and executes exclusive celebrations globally. Working internationally from three studios: the UK (London), Italy (Lake Como), and the USA (New York City), they are a powerhouse in global event design and have a matchless ability to traverse continents, bringing each client vision to life in a truly meaningful and unforgettable manner, regardless of where in the world you may be. Join this week's florist special to learn more about his personal and professional trajectory in the luxury events and floral design world!
The Power of Flowers and Emotion in Larry Walsh's Work
Renowned for transforming some of the world’s most iconic locations, Larry Walsh's signature style has become synonymous with excellence, abundance, and effortless style. In this interview, he shares more of what it's been like to be part of the luxury events and floral design world. One of the first questions that comes to mind when you see a designer's work is why they pursued a career in this industry and here is what Larry had to say:
"It was actually a bit of an accident if I’m honest! I originally trained in interior design and have always liked to consider I have a creative eye but in my early twenties, I found myself rather conflicted as I worked through the various possible career paths and realized many artistic avenues were not for me. When I eventually discovered flowers, I found them to be a creative medium that allowed me to express myself in the way I had always wanted. It was much more forgiving than drafting or painting and much faster to see the final product; perfect for someone who lacks patience!
While finding myself, I began working for a leading catering company in London, and my eyes were opened to the scale and possibilities within the luxury events industry. After several years of learning to deliver large-scale projects, I found myself somewhat frustrated by the level of design service that other florists were offering. I found myself drafting concepts and sending them to others to communicate what I wanted and just felt there had to be a better way; a better design service that the industry could offer."
In the midst of the road to discovering the best way to offer these services to make people happy with top-notch event organization skills and the use of flowers to enhance every event, he decisively found a way:
"Unable to find it, I decided that if I felt I could do it better, I should put my money where my mouth was and start doing it myself. After attending a professional floristry course with absolutely no idea what I was doing, I handed in my notice to my employer and took the leap to start my own business. When I sat at my dining table on day one with £500 in my pocket and no backup plan, I certainly did wonder what colossal mistake I had made but perhaps in hindsight knowing that failure was not an option helped ensure I worked as hard as humanly possible to make my vision a reality.
"Our focus has always been driven by flowers, however, my love for all things pretty meant I had an opinion on everything else that made up the visual landscape one would see at an event. Over the last decade, we were the first brand in the UK to be considered event designers and now, are the only floral and event design company in the world to be located in three global regions with a truly international reach and capacity."
What Is Luxury Event Design, and What Services Does Larry Walshe Events Provide?
Luxury event design is about creating extraordinary experiences that combine stunning aesthetics with perfect execution. At Larry Walshe Events, this means transforming spaces into astounding environments tailored to each client’s vision and personality. For this reason, we asked Larry: what are luxury event designs and what does your business offer?
Larry:
"We create luxury, and to us, luxury is exclusivity. It’s something that no one else can have. In contrast, we also offer access. Larry Walshe Studios can provide clients with something that no one else can give them, challenging conventional ideas about what an event should look like and instead exploring how far we can push the bounds of beauty.
Larry Walshe Studios are all-encompassing, thoughtful, and creative, and those elements allow us to create highly personalized experiences with humanity and authenticity. Everything we do will always be beautiful, but more than that, everything will have purpose and meaning. That’s what produces not just moments, but life-long memories."
"Additionally, we are a worldly and well-traveled team and we’re always looking beyond where we physically are, taking inspiration from couture, fine art, cinema, and, of course, interior design. We are tastemakers rather than trend followers, constantly pursuing experiences that will inspire us. We understand the nuances of each event and how our clients and their guests will experience it, creating dramatic moments balanced with quieter ones. We also understand how an event will photograph and we work to create settings that will look just as beautiful in print as they do in person."
As the founder and leader of Larry Walshe Studios, Larry has hand-picked not just an expert team, but a robust and dynamic network of highly skilled artisans, floral designers, and craftspeople around the world. This network removes barriers for their clients, giving them access to the best of everything so they can provide an unequaled service level in the most iconic venues and locations worldwide.
Defining Moments of Larry's Career
Behind every successful career lies a pivotal moment—a turning point that sets the stage for everything that follows. In this florist special, Larry reflects on the defining moment that shaped his journey and solidified his path in the world of luxury floral and event design.
Q: What was the moment that defined your career?
Larry:
"I would like to attribute the consistency of our work, the service we provide each of our clients, and our unrelenting pursuit of transcendence to the success we have seen in our brand over the last decade. This now global brand all started at my dining room table in South West London with no real clue as to what I was doing but rather, a desire to find a way to express myself creatively and offer something to a marketplace that seemed to be lacking. I didn’t begin with a little black book of contacts, a full order list or any plan to take the company where it is today; I just started each day trying to better the last and to put a product into the universe that I was truly proud of."
Q: Who/what inspires you to create your designs?
Larry:
"We are constantly inspired by the world around us; through art, fashion, media, and of course the great British countryside. I love to design with our surroundings in mind and endeavor to work sensitively with our location so always immerse myself within a space or a venue prior to putting pen to paper. I stand in a space and can immediately understand how a design will look, feel, and move. I imagine how the guests will journey through their celebration and ensure that what we propose is not only beautiful but practical. Placing the client's ideas and vision, alongside the mindfulness of the guest experience on the day helps me to create meaningful work that feels every bit as good as it looks."
Creating Events With Flowers as One of the Main Characters
Larry Walshe's reputation is focused on creating out-of-the-ordinary floral designs that transform luxury events and weddings into indelible experiences. So, what is his favorite part about designing with flowers for luxury events and weddings?
Larry:
"Flowers, as an ever-evolving and natural material provide a challenge which I adore. We have so many variables to consider when designing with a fresh product; the weather, the space within which we are working, the time afforded to us in the pre-installation, and strike to name but a few. This makes for a truly exciting (or utterly nerve-wracking, depending on how you prefer to look at it!) dynamic which ensures no two days are ever the same.
I love the way that flowers can be applied to a space, much like a sculpture or an art installation to transform the environment one is in for a single moment in time. Guests can be transported into another world, a living fantasy, or a visual space that will never be replicated or seen in exactly the same way ever again. There is no other medium I can think of where this would be the case; securing a very personal experience for one night only. What could be better than that?"
Q: What are three of your favorite flowers to work with?
Larry:
"Clematis – for me, these harness the spirit of the garden with their exquisite and expressive flowers. Hydrangea – these have long been a personal favorite and there is nothing not to love about their large, fluffy flowers. These work beautifully in sculptural pieces and large-scale installations. Lastly, Vanda Orchids – slow-growing and only available in small quantities, these incredible flowers are super long-lasting and the personification of luxury."
More of Larry Walsh's Professional and Personal Life
Larry Walshe is known worldwide for his stunning luxury floral designs and creative event concepts. However, building an international reputation in such a competitive industry has come with its share of challenges.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge about being an internationally renowned luxury floral designer?
Larry:
"That’s an easy one…time difference!! Working across 3 timezones, I am always 'on' and always 'available'. Typically I work between 12-15 hours a day in order to support my teams in each region that we cover and whilst I will never complain because I utterly adore my job, sometimes it can be exhausting!"
Q: How do you handle stress when work becomes too overwhelming?
Larry:
"My schedule is often rather chaotic as I travel a great deal for work which I absolutely love and often work across multiple timezones so I like to take the opportunity whilst on a flight to self-care which I find helps me to stay mindful. I have a go-to list of essentials that you will always find in my in-flight bag which include a face mask, moisturizing gloves for hardworking hands, pulse point oils, and noise-canceling headphones. I may look a little silly if you walk along the aisle and catch me mid-treatment but listening to music or meditating whilst taking a few moments to feel good always helps to center me before the madness commences."
Q: What is your favorite event location?
Larry:
"I have an utter love affair with Italy; something about this magical country, its history, its culture, its architecture I find beyond amusing and hugely inspiring. From the first time dipped my toes into the waters of Lake Como, I instantly felt a sense of belonging.
Back in 2022 we opened our Italian studio and began working throughout the country. The landscape changes so greatly from north to south it is a constant source of creative inspiration. Each time I work in Italy, I love it a little more than the time before; constantly being surrounded by some of the most incredible and creative artisans and designers I have had the privilege to meet and work alongside."
To end this incredible florist special with the grand Larry Walshe, he shared his favorite quote for those who have a business and know what it means to sustain it every day but always do what you're passionate about and are crazy in love with!
“Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen."
Photos courtesy of Larry Walshe.
