Emotional ties: Florist Philippa Craddock on flower necklaces, tree house escapes and Frida Kahlo
Harry and Meghan’s wedding florist Philippa Craddock talks tiny feet, faux flowers and being a schoolgirl rebel
Florist Philippa Craddock
This De Beers flower necklace was a gift for my 30th birthday from my husband – ironically, before I had gone into floristry. Our three children love playing with its five diamond petals and choosing which represents each of us. I never take it off.
My husband’s uncle, who ran a music business, was given this original vinyl single of Pink Floyd’s ‘Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)’ before it was released. I hated school, so I loved the song for its [anti-establishment] message.
These pictures are of my grandparents on their wedding day. My granddad, who I call Papa, was a doctor in the Scottish village where I grew up. He met my grandmother – who is incredibly elegant and determined – while they were studying at Oxford.
I’m a big fan of escapism – anything that allows life to be a bit slower and encourages playing. After reading this book by Philip Jodidio, my husband and I felt inspired and built three tree houses – one for each of our children – in our garden in East Sussex.
I love drinking Roasted by Noble, a caffeine-free alternative to coffee that’s full of vitamins and made with slow-roasted chicory, dandelion, ginseng and cinnamon. I make myself a cup in the morning and at night, too, when the weather gets colder.
These faux flowers are from a large sculpture I made for the V&A Museum’s Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up exhibition. The commission marked my move into using artificial flowers in an extraordinary way. It will be auctioned for the charity Women for Women International this month.
I hate the cold so a cosy scarf is essential for me to get through the winter. I love this red-wine coloured one from French label Melt; its scarves are hand loomed by artisans in Nepal and each one is named after its maker.
Having very small feet (a UK size 2.5) means I find it hard to buy shoes. These gold ballet flats by Emma Hope fit perfectly. I’ve embraced being small and don’t enjoy wearing high heels, so these are my go-to for any occasion – smart or casual.
- To bid on Philippa’s Frida Kahlo in Flowers sculpture in the #SheInspiresMe Auction at Sotheby’s go to womenforwomen.org.uk/auction until 19 November