Students clinch flowers competition

The team, including six students from the level four higher diploma in floristry course, made it through the first heat, competing against nine other colleges, to reach the final, which they won against Moulton College, Reasheath College and the Welsh College of Agriculture.

The students had to complete six items within the theme of flowers and fashion with the objective of representing a fashion house. The South Staffordshire College team chose Alexander McQueen.

The students had to produce a concept board to depict the mood of the collection, an outfit from plant material to be displayed on a mannequin, a floor standing design, a body adornment to be modelled by a student, a surprise package, for which the team made a posy for a bridesmaid, and dress the display booth.

As part of their prize, the winning team, which included Victoria Richards, Karla Simner, Amanda Drury, Emma Dandy, Jo Barker and Sarah Robe won the Society of Floristry College of the Year Trophy, won a two page spread in Focal Point, the official magazine of the Society of Floristry, and the opportunity to display their winning design in the front foyer of the Society of Floristry's Annual Show taking place in Nottingham.

Tutor Laura Leong said: "The girls chose Alexander McQueen's pre-fall collection, which is described as having a Dickensian opium den fantasy theme which gave them a lot of inspiration and ideas to work with.

"Each element had to be completed by a different girl and their work was judged by two Society of Floristry and Judges Guild members, so they really had to impress in each element to stand a chance of winning.

"The Society of Floristry has a highly regarded reputation and is considered as the industry's independent voice so I am very proud of all of them to have achieved such a fantastic result."