When floral magic meets Manhattan hustle, you get Rabab—a New York City-based floral designer with a fearless style and serious creative edge. Known for transforming brand events into blooming artistic works (and sprinkling a little petal-powered perfection into select weddings each year), Rabab brings a fresh, fashion-forward perspective to every arrangement. She's a master at creating arrangements that feel both editorial and effortlessly cool. Join this week's florist special to learn more about her.}
Petals, Power, and a Pinch of New York Sass by Rabab of Studio Hayat
Rabab is the kind of floral designer who keeps it real. Based in New York City, she’s the creative brain behind Studio Hayat, a floral studio with heart, edge, and a love for the unexpected. She’s creating her own vibe, one flower at a time.
Believe it or not, she didn’t start in florals. Rabab studied journalism and worked in brand strategy before flowers pulled her in. A friend asked her to help with wedding flowers, and boom—Studio Hayat was born. No formal training, no floral school—just instinct, creativity, and a whole lot of hustle.
Typical Floral Days as a Floral Designer for Rabab
You might wonder how a floral designer's day actually starts. Where do they go searching for flowers in each city?
Rabab’s flower days usually start early. She’s often in the NYC flower district by 7 to 7:30 a.m., picking up fresh flowers from her trusted vendors. From there, it’s back to her apartment, or now, her brand-new studio space, to begin processing the flowers.
Rabab crossing the NYC streets filled with flowers
For her, it's a very alive scene because all the shipments and flowers are coming in, and all the florists are going in and out of the shops to pick up the flowers for the day. At the same time, she gets to see a lot of her friends who are florists at the shops. You might as well say the flower district is one of her favorite spots in the world.
Not long after, it’s time for a coffee break. Starting the day with a cappuccino has always been part of her routine. It’s usually made by her fiancé, but with the new studio (conveniently located next to Hauteline’s!), she’ll be figuring out a new morning rhythm—though the cappuccino isn’t going anywhere.
What She Brings to the Floral World
Rabab isn’t trying to book every wedding or fill her calendar with daily deliveries. She focuses on brand events and a few weddings each year—the kind that let her run wild with ideas. Think thoughtful designs, unusual stems, and always a personal touch. If you’re looking for cookie-cutter florals, she’s probably not your girl.
Rabab’s favorite flowers change with the seasons—and she’s all about welcoming what’s fresh and in bloom. She loves marigolds. Their strong orange tone adds a punch of color that’s perfect for summer and fall arrangements. Come spring, though? It’s all about peonies. She says:
“In April or May, I want to use them in everything. There are so many varieties, I can’t get enough of them.”
As for keeping flowers fresher, longer? Rabab has one golden rule: keep flowers out of direct sunlight. It’s great for a photo, but after that, move them back to a cool spot.. Her other go-to tip? Refresh the water daily. Swapping out old, murky water for clean, cold water helps flowers stay happy and hydrated for days.
To check her entire flower wonderland, make sure to visit Studio Hayat's Instagram account.
Photos by @rababsomething.
