Meet the florist: Aleksandra Keast
February 2023
Hello, flower lovers!
February sees us featuring the beautiful work of Aleksandra Keast. This talented botanical stylist specialises in breathtaking botanical displays for weddings and events. Her arrangements are bountiful and luxurious, and she often creates striking visions in pastel hues – my favourite! – or in a lush kaleidoscope of colour.
Aleksandra’s lifelong love of flowers stems from growing up on a property in Dural, NSW, that had a family-run nursery. You could say a love of flowers is in her blood! She still lives and works in the area, and her studio, ‘Aleksandra’, is located among the swathe of growers that Dural is so well known for. Thanks to this sensational location, Aleksandra is able to use the freshest of flowers, often foraging and hand-selecting them herself at local farms.
In addition to floral styling, Aleksandra, along with two other floristry legions – Sean Cook (Mr Cook) and Jardine Hansen (Jardine Botanic) – teaches a floral masterclass for anyone passionate about flowers. Aleksandra also creates bespoke calligraphy pieces to go with her floral arrangements using her own unique, flowing handwriting. Considering text and flowers are my two favourite things, Aleksandra’s interests follow my own heart!
Aleksandra’s favourite flower, Stephanotis floribunda, is our February feature flower. Here’s what Aleksandra had to say when I interviewed her for our 2023 Planner.
1. Which flower inspires you the most and why?
Stephanotis floribunda. Also known as Madagascar jasmine, waxflower and Hawaiian wedding flower, Stephanotis’s delicious fragrance and pure-white, starry-shaped blooms make it the perfect flower for a summer-time wedding. And I love the way the flowers sit together in floral clusters that trail along waxy, green-leafed vines.
2. Can you share any fun facts about Stephanotis?
Stephanotis is native to several areas, from Malaya to Madagascar. The name derives from Greek: ‘stephanos’, meaning ‘crown’, and ‘otos’, meaning ear – so-called because of the arrangement of the stamens and the ear-shaped pistils.
3. Do you have any tips when styling Stephanotis?
Stephanotis is ever classic – feminine, romantic, delicate, dainty, yet sturdy in its green tendrils. It speaks volumes en masse and doesn’t need to be paired with too many other flowers. It is best displayed in a footed-style vase and sat upon a tall plinth so that its elegant trails can be admired.
4. Any favourite combo you love to do when styling with Stephanotis?
I would pair Stephanotis with other similar seasonal summer blooms such as white lotus, waterlily, gardenia, tuberose and David Austin garden roses.
You can find Aleksandra’s website here and follow her insta here.
Shannon x
All images credit @aleksandradiary
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