It is big. It is bold. It is colourful, creative and flamboyant. But most of all this show is fun and let’s face it, this is exactly what we need in our lives right now.
The Big Flower Fight is now streaming worldwide on Netflix and the two youngest contestants are (excuse the pun), home grown right here in Surrey. There are 10 pairs of eclectic contestants competing from all over the world in a purpose-built dome in the English countryside. The show is hosted by Natasia Demetriou, Vic Reeves and renowned floral judge, Kristen Griffith-Vanderyacht.
I spoke to Monet and Steph to find out more about them and their passion for floristry and how they got to compete in a Netflix show that is airing around the world right now.
Monet Martin and Stephanie Lovell may be the youngest contestants, but they are not to be underestimated. In episode one, when faced with their first challenge of building an enormous 8ft insect that is to be initially sculpted out of steel, they exclaim “we have never done metal work before, so this is pretty new to us!” But this doesn’t hold them back. They continue to build and plan with the kind of confidence that comes with pure grit and determination to achieve. This pair know what they are doing, and they do it with style.
Monet has always known that she wanted to do something practical, hands-on and creative. Monet felt a connection to nature and knew that floristry was the perfect career for her. Having struggled through school with dyslexia, Monet has proven that A Levels and University are not the only road to success. Passion, drive and ambition is clear with Monet and as she says herself, “floristry is far from easy!”
For Steph, the idea of an office job after leaving school was a definite no. Steph has always helped her Nan with arranging church flowers from a young age, so when she stumbled across a floristry course it seemed like the obvious choice. After studying for four years at college, she has now completed her Level 4 High Diploma alongside Monet.
Steph and Monet met at Merrist Wood College in Guildford and became friends for life. They often worked on designs together; Steph says that she is the quick one and Monet is the precise one who enjoys all the tedious detail. They work well as a team, which is clear to see on The Big Flower Fight. They may have separate businesses now, but neither hesitates to help the other one out when they have big events.
Both Steph and Monet have been in competitions before so are not new to being in an intense environment and under pressure. They applied for The Big Flower Fight in 2019 and completed auditions with hundreds of people. When they got the call to say they had made it onto the show they understandably cried tears of happiness. Steph said, “We felt we finally got the chance to show young people that anything is possible at any stage in your life.”
Taking the brave decision to quit their jobs to do the show has certainly paid off. They knew they would be thrown in at the deep end and as Steph explained, “we knew we were very much capable as a team. It’s called a challenge for a reason.”
The competition in the show was tough, but Steph and Monet felt as though they had become part of “one big flower family” and have taken so much away from the experience. They saw it as a privilege to compete alongside such talented florists and designers. Their teaser for The Big Flower Fight is simply “It’s an emotional watch.”
Sarah, an American contestant on the show, inspired both Monet and Steph to follow their own dreams and carve out their futures in the florist industry. With this courage and resolve, Monet and Steph have started their own successful small businesses: Monet’s Floristry and Steph Lovell Flowers based in Aldershot and Frimley respectively.
Monet’s Floristry is inspired by her love of flowers and appreciation of nature, it is her passion to create luxurious and memorable designs for all occasions using the freshest and finest stems. Working from her studio, Monet offers a truly personal, bespoke and flexible service. Monet is based in Aldershot and delivers to Surrey and Hampshire areas.
Steph founded Steph Lovell Flowers around a year ago. She specialises in contemporary floral designs throughout all her work. Steph enjoys keeping up with the current trends and making them her own. She loves working with brides to ensure they have their floral dreams on their big day as well as making people happy on a daily basis with the bouquets she creates. Steph says, “flowers speak 1000 words, that’s why they are always the best gift to receive!”
Watch the trailer for The Big Flower fight here, https://youtu.be/P6ZxASdQkVU, then it’s time to start binge watching and get inspired!
You can find details of their social media and websites below:
Steph Lovell Flowers
Instagram: @stephlovellflowers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephlovellflowers/
Youtube: Stephlovell
Website: www.stephlovellflowers.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07872945401
Monet’s Floristry:
Instagram: @monetsfloristry
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonetsFloristry/
YouTube – Monets Floristry
Website: https://www.monetsfloristry.com/
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 7715862291
All photos credited to Monet Martin and Stephanie Lovell
