An unlikely start grew into a career calling for Rococo owner JJ Phan. Convinced by his mum to go into business together, Phan decided the closest he would ever get to a bouquet was to deliver them. Then, one day, he tried his hand at an arrangement and things blossomed from there. Twenty years later, the kid who once didn’t know a poppy from a poinsettia is the owner and creative force behind Rococo Flowers in Surry Hills.
Phan describes the Rococo aesthetic as “vintage and classic” and says that both corporate and private clients have come to expect elegance when they place an order.
“We don’t follow trends as such; we’re more interested in creating something beautiful,” he says. “Once you get a brief, you can take it and turn it into something amazing. People tell us what they want and we’re able to take those words and turn it into a vision.”
These ideas are put into practice in a studio space on Cleveland Street. While there isn’t a shopfront as such, Phan says the doors to Rococo are always open. “Our business is pretty much all online, but it’s always nice to see people walk past and then do a double take and come in to check out the flowers,” he says.
Bouquets range from $90 to $200, with wine and Champagne available for those wanting to add a little extra. The ‘Vibrant’ arrangement mixes seasonal flowers with bursts of colour, while as the name suggests, the ‘Vintage’ is a classic arrangement featuring pastel tones.
For Phan, every flower in his bouquets must belong. “Just because something looks great on its own, doesn’t mean it’s going to work in an arrangement,” he says. “Everything needs to come together as one and each flower should complement the other.”
Having been in the business for a long time, the owner understands the nexus between floristry and the major events that mark people’s lives. “We’re there at the big moments: births, weddings, anniversaries, as well as at the other end of life,” he says. “No matter what the occasion, when someone gets flowers from us, we want them to feel loved.”