SOLOVAIR MEETS RAPHAEL VERRION

The Solovair Meets series delves into the lives of those who wear our footwear in everyday life.

Raphael Verrion is a contemporary florist based in the Cotswolds who has created floral designs for Alex Eagle, Radial, GQ, Soho Home and Mr Porter to name a few. Currently Raphael is Head Florist at Soho House and can regularly be found being creative at the Soho Farmhouse located in the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside.

Raphael offers insight into his day to day as a florist as well as what inspires him from architecture to workwear.

LF: Where were you born?
RV: I was born in Cheltenham, UK.

LF: Where did you grow up?
RV: I grew up in the British countryside ( Gloucestershire) where I developed an early appreciation for nature, color, art and texture.

LF: Can you tell us a little bit about your story?
RV: My background is creatively very mixed- but I was always drawn to design, composition, colour, how things look and how they can make people feel.  Over time, I found that floristry allowed me to combine structure and creativity in a way that felt natural.

LF: What did you want to be growing up?
RV: I always knew I wanted to do something creative—originally, I thought that would be through writing.

LF: How did you get started in floristry?
RV: I started working with flowers as an extension of my artistic practice. What began as a side interest quickly became my focus, and I found myself immersed in the world of floristry. I just started as van driver for a florist in Notting Hill and really worked my way up from the very bottom.

LF: Where did you train in floristry?
RV: My training was largely hands-on. I learned through experience, collaboration, and constant experimentation.

LF: Where do you get inspiration for your floral designs?
RV: I take inspiration from many places—art, architecture, fashion, and the way nature grows in its raw, unstructured form. I like to balance that organic movement with considered composition.

LF: How would you describe your signature style?
RV: Textural, dynamic, and slightly undone. I aim for arrangements that feel natural but elevated—never overly polished, but always intentional.

LF: Do you have a favorite flower or plant?
RV: It changes with the seasons, but I’m drawn to flowers with interesting movement and texture—something like a sculptural fritillaria.

LF: Favorite garden or space you like to visit?
Oxford Botanical Gardens is always inspiring—there’s a real energy to the way plants are layered and allowed to thrive in a natural but curated way.

LF: What season do you prefer and why?
RV: Spring—it’s a time of transition, and the variety of flowers available is at its most exciting. Everything feels fresh and full of potential.

LF: Has social media helped or hindered being a florist in your opinion?
RV: Both. It’s a great platform for sharing work and finding inspiration, but it also means trends move quickly, and the focus can sometimes shift from craft to content. The key is to stay authentic.

LF: What’s it like to work at Soho House?
RV: It’s a fast-paced, creative environment. Every space has a distinct personality, and I love the challenge of designing florals for each space at Farmhouse.

LF: Can you walk us through a day in your life?
RV: No two days are the same. Mornings usually start catch up with the team over coffee and croissants. Then conditioning starts while I either work on concepts, moodboards- we may be doing an installation for event one minute or conceptualising for a high end tablescape dinner the next whilst simultaneously changing and evolving each arrangement on site.

LF: Do you have a favorite Soho House space to work in?
RV: Each one has its own character, but I particularly enjoy being in the more historic buildings in London—they have a richness that makes the interiors feel even more immersive.

LF: What are your go-to wardrobe staples at work?
RV: Something functional but stylish. Usually a good pair of workwear trousers, a loose shirt and jacket and a comfortable but sturdy pair of shoes.

LF: Favorite Solovair style?
RV: A classic derby shoe—understated, timeless, and durable enough to handle long days on my feet.