Meet Alina + Natalia, the owners and designers behind Victoria’s newest flower shop.

At Folklore Floral, Alina and Natalia see floristry as more than arranging flowers. It’s an ongoing dialogue between art, environment, and community. In this November edition, we sit down with the founders to talk about who they are, how they found flowers, and what this path means to them.

What parts of your upbringing do you find integral to who or where you are today? 

Natalia: I have always been really interested in where things come from because when I was younger my dad would take me to the supermarket, and we would take hours to look at labels. We spent time learning where things came from and what the ingredients were. Same with clothing shopping. I grew up very, very interested in where things were made and who they were made by. Also, through every evolution- and I have had many- my mom has jumped right in to support me. She has always been invested in everything I have done, no matter how big or small. Her support and positivity has enabled me to take risks and has taken away my reservations.

Alina: My grandmother was an avid gardener. I grew up in her garden, stealing all of her peas. Meanwhile, I have always been a fairly artistic person, but it was hard to find an outlet for that because I am impatient if I am not good at something right away. I found floristry gave me the creative satisfaction quickly. It clicked. And, it is flowers, which reminds me of my grandma. My original work as Rhubarb in the Garden was named after my grandma. 

Did you always dream of a flower shop, or did the path surprise you?

Alina: I always wanted a flower shop. 

Natalia: I did not. 

What keeps bringing you back to flowers? What do flowers mean to you? 

Natalia: I think flowers are a great metaphor for a lot of things. My favourite one is, if you are gardening and the plants are unhappy, you dig them up and move them to where they will work. Nothing is final. It is always evolving and always changing.

I don’t know what keeps me coming back. In a way, thankfully, flowers keep coming back to me through our community. It reminds me of when I was ordering ceramics from an artist who made her pieces outside of her full time job. I felt bad creating a demand for something that consumed her extra hours, but she reminded me that she was grateful because when people continued to order from her, it kept her going at what she loved. It’s the people that keep me coming back. They like what we put out into the world, and I am so glad.

Alina: It is the community and the connection. We are a part of so many meaningful moments and milestones. We see how peoples lives grow and evolve through flowers. And also, flowers are just the best.

What has being a part of the community here taught you? 

Alina: Being in this community, people care. People here want to know where things come from and who is making or supplying them. This community values being informed consumers, and I learn a lot from that. People are loyal to the who, the how, and the why. Which is why we can do something a little bit different here. 

Do you have any advice as an artist and a business owner? 

Natalia: My advice is similar to my advice about becoming a parent. People will always tell you there isn’t a perfectly right time to do it. But actually, and I think you need to go with your gut on this, you can set yourself up so that it is the right time for you. There are so many risks involved with being an entrepreneur that it needs to make sense for you and for your family. Alina and I both worked full time before starting this. Yet, my answer goes both ways. Take your time, but also, put yourself out there. Set yourself up and just do it.

Alina: Set boundaries. If you can’t do something, find someone who can do it for you. You don’t have to do everything. Find a time and have a team, and let go of your ego. Or else you will burn out, as both an artist and a business owner. Also, be okay with failing. Not every idea is the best idea and that’s okay.

It took us a really long time until we got here. I have been humming and hawing about opening a shop since the first time I played with flowers, over 10 years ago. 

Alina + Natalia: But truly, just do it!

What are you looking forward to? 

Natalia: I am genuinely looking forward to the holiday season in the shop for the first time. I don’t usually romanticize it so much, but this year I feel like I am living in a little dreamscape. 

Alina: That is so true. 

Thank you to Mary McNeill Knowles for the photos featured in this interview.