A Day With "Tomas De Bruyne"

Tomas De Bruyne - Floral Designer

I highly recommend taking a seminar with Tomas De Bruyne.  The Floristry Department at City College of San Francisco was privileged to host at their facility this Brilliant Belgian Floral Designer.  Special thanks to The Northwest Region of the American Institute of Floral Designers(AIFD) who presented and coordinated his program/workshop.

One of the many things you learn through his seminar is the importance to continually invest
in yourself.  It's so important for florists/floral designers to continually update our knowledge and enhance our skills to achieve success.  You will also learn that personal and professional development go hand and hand.

The seminar was aimed at students and flower shop owners wishing to stand out from the rest by using the 3 creative M s:  creative mechanics, creative merchandising and creative minds

Tomas being a floral designer, teacher, author and entrepreneur has a rich source of knowledge/experience with much to share. Visit his website www.tomasdebruyne.com for more information on his many accomplishments,upcoming seminars/projects and European Master Certificate.

Design demonstrated by Tomas.

Tomas teaching techniques for a cascade bridal bouquet.

 

 

The completed cascade bouquet that City College of San Francisco Student Cynthia Woods won after attending the workshop.

 

City College of San Francisco's SAIFD President and First Place Winner for the SAIFD Competition in Las Vegas "Ineke Moss" enjoyed assisting and learning techniques from Tomas.

 

Tomas discussing the mechanics of his design and the opportunity to tap into the Special Event Industry with our specialized skills as Floral Designers.

 

City College of San Francisco Student Jennifer Rossi concentrating and learning the intricate detailing for one of the designs Tomas shared in his program.  This was such a wonderful opportunity for CCSF students learning hands on with Tomas.



Emil Yanos AIFD one of the coordinators and assistants for the seminar prepping a design for Tomas's program.





 

Break time with Tomas, Wil, Connie, Lily, Cheryl, Greg and Katherine.  

 

 

 One of many techniques learned at seminar. 

 

 

Techniques with pussy willow. 

 

 

 

Thanks to the Northwest Region of the American Institute of Floral Designers.  This inspiring program and workshop happened because of their efforts and passion for flowers.  Thanks to Wil Gonzalez AIFD and his committee for all their hard work!  This year the American Institute of Floral Designers are celebrating their 50th anniversary.  If your interested in experiencing these types of programs, workshops and presenters go to www.aifd.org.  The next AIFD Symposium is in Chicago Illinois, July 3-7, 2014.

 

This Fabulous Floral Group contributed to the success of Tomas's program. Thanks to all of you for a wonderful experience.  Special thanks to the sponsors of the program who provided their product:  Accent Décor, Brannan Street Wholesale, Smithers-Oasis, KB Flowers and The Sun Valley Group. 

 

Thank You!!

Jenny Tabarracci AIFD

CCSF "Diversity Dazzles" at the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium in Las Vegas





 

City College of San Francisco Champion Student Sungmun Ryu modeling designs by Jim Dempsey AIFD, CFD from his program "Hand/Craft" presented at AIFD Symposium in Las Vegas, July 1st, 2013.

 

The City College of San Francisco’s SAIFD (Student American Institute of Floral Designers) Menzies Chapter won first place overall for the Student Design Competition at the AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) National Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 27th, 2013.  The Champion Students are Oxana Sanukova, Ineke Moss, Sungmun Ryu, Maria Pettyjohn, Nicole Kastle, Ariel Ermatinger and Imelda Iraeta.

 

 



 

 CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO

FIRST PLACE CHAMPIONS

 

 

The SAIFD Competition is a popular and exciting event at AIFD Symposium.  It's a breath of fresh air, and a chance to see new talent.  It’s truly a thrill for the students to observe and interact with professional designers/attendees from all over the world as their designs are on display after the competition.  Attendees can choose their favorite student designer and vote for them in the People’s Choice category.  There is a special night/dinner dedicated to all award recipients.   AIFD Symposium to many students is an unforgettable life learning experience that has built a platform for their future.

SAIFD Students preparing materials before Competition in Las Vegas

 

 

City College of San Francisco’s team won nine of the fifteen awards and are now the AIFD Student Chapter Champions for the second consecutive year. Seneca College from Ontario Canada placed second overall and Joliet Junior College from Joliet, Illinois place third overall.  There were fourteen SAIFD College Chapters throughout the United States and Canada that participated in the competition with 48 students in the competition.  The design categories were Wedding, Sympathy, Arrangement for an art opening and Body Flowers.  The students had 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the designs.

 

City College of San Francisco Student Ineke Moss was the First Place Overall SAIFD Champion at AIFD Symposium in Las Vegas, 2013.

City College of San Francisco team member Ineke Moss won four individual awards including first place overall.  Oxana Sanukova won first place Arrangement and third place Sympathy.  Nicole Kastle won second place Sympathy and Ariel Ermatinger won second place in Body Flowers.  The intriguing designs executed by team members Imelda Iraeta, Maria Pettyjohn and Sungmun Ryu contributed to the Overall School Award with the highest average score.

The team’s success is due to outstanding commitment, extreme passion, and diverse backgrounds.  There were five consecutive weeks of practice sessions before the competition.  This was a tremendous commitment and dedication of time for the students and instructors.  It takes a certain type of student to compete and make this commitment. The pure passion and talent for floral design is a key ingredient that instructors look for and are able to recognize in their students as they enter and go through the Environment Horticulture/Retail Floristry program at City College of San Francisco.  Instructors encourage, mentor and lead the path for this developmental process.  Instructors in the Retail Floristry Division at City College of San Francisco are AIFD members and have an extensive background in student competition.

City College of San Francisco Students Nicole Kastle, Ineke Moss and Oxana Sanukova during summer practice sessions before SAIFD Competition in Las Vegas.

City College of San Francisco is known for its diversity and this is also an important factor for the team’s success.  The blending of many cultures into one team produces individual uniqueness and a dynamic creative force.  We have students from all over the world.  This year we had students from Germany, Russia, Korea, El Salvador, Philippines and California on the team.

The Environmental Horticulture/Retail Floristry program and outside organizations such as the San Francisco Garden Club assist with scholarship funding for the student incurred competition expenses.  Kitayama Brothers Inc., one of the largest growers in the USA with over one million square feet of greenhouse and over 20 acres of outside production in Watsonville, California, invites students to participate in their annual open house competition.  This provides an excellent opportunity for the students to practice their newly learned skills before the AIFD National Symposium.

Students are advised and trained by instructors:  Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, CFD, Steven Brown Department Chair AIFD, CFD, Holly Money-Collins AIFD, CFD and Soho Sakai, AIFD, CFD.



Robert Kitayama and Kitayama Brothers Inc. are a major factor in the success of City College of San Francisco's First Place Teams.  Robert stands next to the design of student alumni Julie Harris.  She was a 2012 SAIFD Champion on the First Place Team when the AIFD competition was held in Miami, Florida.  Currently, she is the Designer and Owner of her business Julie Harris Floral Design.

 

The Environmental Horticulture/Retail Floristry Department is a hidden gem that has existed since the 1930’s.  The department program offers a complete curriculum that maintains strong links with horticulture, flower shop/studio owners, growers, wholesalers and manufacturers. More information about the college and program can be found at www.ccsf.edu                                                                                                              

Instructors in The Environmental Horticulture/Retail Floristry Department at City College of San Francisco:  Jenny Tabarracci AIFD, CFD, Steven Brown Department Chair AIFD, CFD, Holly Money-Collins AIFD, CFD, Soho Sakai AIFD, CFD, Robert Broucaret, Thomas Wang, Auguste Broucaret and Malcolm Hillan.   

 

The next SAIFD Competition will be held July 3-7, 2014 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, IL.  You can visit www.aifd.org for more information.

 

Only one month into the Fall Semester and new talent is starting to twinkle..............................................................

 

 

 

 

 

KITAYAMA CUP - "NEW STUDENT FLORAL DIVISION"

Join us for lots of fun at the Kitayama Brothers Open House and Design Contest on Saturday, June 16th.  I’m thrilled to be a judge for the Competition and can’t wait to see all the new talent.  I’m especially excited to judge the new division with the student competitors.  I competed in many floral design competitions in the beginning of my floral career and learned so much from each one.  Being a competitor teaches you how to make the quick decisions which are necessary in any successful floral business.

The CCSF students are ready for the Kitayama Cup!   I’m holding an Inverted Hand Tied Bouquet designed by Gwen Cabangis last night who is one of my students in the wedding class this semester at City College of San Francisco.

Wine & Vine Design is the competition title this year and the competitors will design two pieces, a centerpiece and a bottle adornment.  The Open Division is for all floral designers with more than five years of professional design experience.  The new Level I Division is for all floral designers with less than 5 years professional design experience and students of floral design.

Cash prizes are awarded to First, Second, and Third place competitors in both Divisions. There is also a People's Choice Award.  This is where all attendees have a chance to pick their favorite floral design.  We hope to see you all there to share this wonderful educational experience!  Please email:   information@kitayamabrothers.com for contest details.  Deadline for registration is June 1st.