"I regularly get inspired by nature, landscapes, their colors, and the smiles on people's faces when they receive flowers." What a way to introduce World Cup Floral Art 2025 contestant Oscar Villela (EIAF + EAFC). He's from Mexico, but will represent all of the Latin American region, a task he gladly takes upon his shoulders. Here's an introduction to a master floral designer who will bring to the stage some Latin panache with a minimalistic twist.
Balanced Boldness by Oscar Villela
If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of Oscar Villela’s floral work, you’ll know exactly what he means when he talks about “a mix of current minimalist trends and a lot of that characteristic Latin color.” He doesn’t shy away from boldness, but he’s not throwing petals in the air just to make a splash. Instead, there’s balance—often serene, sometimes surprising, always intentional.
With one foot firmly planted in his native Mexico and the other stepping confidently into international arenas, Oscar is gearing up for his biggest challenge yet: representing Latin America at the 2025 World Cup of Floral Art.
Art, Not Just Arrangement
Oscar’s path into floral design wasn’t a straight line, but it’s always been about more than just arranging flowers. He’s quick to remind you that floristry is not simply an occupation—it’s an art form. As he once put it in a local Sonoran interview: “Being a florist is more than a job, it’s a way of communicating beauty, emotion, and cultural identity.”
He finds his rhythm in nature. “Landscapes, the way colors shift in different places, and the expressions people make when they receive flowers—those things move me,” he says. His compositions reflect this: rooted in his surroundings, playful with texture, and open to interpretation.
Process, Passion, and a Bit of Spontaneity
Oscar’s designs don’t come from a fixed formula. He blends technical know-how with whatever the location and local culture throw at him. Whether he’s working with tropicals, desert blooms, or temperate foliage, there’s always a story, and always an openness to let the flowers—and non-floral materials—do some of the talking.
“I use anything that adds texture and movement,” he says. “I like diversity in materials—it keeps things dynamic.”
Spontaneity is a word that comes up often. For Oscar, it’s not just a creative method, it’s a signature. “I do my best to capture my essence, my particular vision in each composition,” he explains.
That vision has taken him across borders, from events like the EIAF exhibition to the 2022 World Cup in Poland. Now, all eyes are on his journey to the 2025 World Cup Floral Art competition.
All Eyes on the Prize in 2025
Ask him about the upcoming World Cup, and his face lights up. “It’s the most important challenge of my career,” he says. “I’m very enthusiastic about this experience.” But he’s not approaching it with a win-or-lose mindset.
“Just being able to participate and present my work at such a prestigious event already feels like winning,” Oscar shares. “I aim to express my vision in a way that fits the theme but still carries my touch.”
That touch? You’ll recognize it. Colorful, but not chaotic. Structured, but not stiff. Latin warmth with a contemporary edge.
Sustainability With a Local Lens
Interestingly, when asked about sustainability, Oscar keeps it grounded. “Most of my materials come from natural resources,” he says. “They’re renewable and environmentally conscious.” There’s a practicality in his approach—not a buzzword-heavy stance, but a lived understanding of working with what's available and local.
More Than a Career
Oscar Villela’s growing recognition on the international floral stage hasn’t changed the core of what he does: connecting people to nature through carefully composed designs that hold space for emotion and meaning. And while he might be focused on the World Cup Floral Art right now, his work is about something bigger than trophies.
“It’s about showing who we are through flowers,” he says. “Where we come from, how we feel, and what we dream.”
All images courtesy of Oscar Villela.
