Meet Our New Stockist; Stems of Southwater

We are really excited to introduce Kate who owns the gorgeous florist and gift shop Stems of Southwater in Horsham,  which has just started stocking IzziRainey products.

Hi Kate! Tell us a bit about Stems of Southwater...
Stems of Southwater is an independent luxury florist situated in the heart of the Sussex countryside. We specialise in creating bespoke designs for all occasions using the highest quality seasonal flowers including textural references where possible. We also have large range of interiors and giftware featuring designers which you would not traditionally find on the high-street.

Where did the idea come from to start your own florist? Had you always dreamed of being a florist?
If I am honest I didn’t start out in life thinking I would be a florist. I studied for a degree in psychology and worked in the city for 5 years after graduating. It quickly became apparent to me that I missed the countryside and being able to be creative. I decided that I needed a new challenge in life and re-trained as a florist at a prestigious school in Knightsbridge and before opening my first shop in Brighton 3 years ago. After a year I took over Stems of Southwater and sold my business in Brighton to concentrate on consolidating my business nearer to home. I haven’t looked back since, and the business is going from strength to strength.

Wow- such a change in career. As you know all of our products are designed by Izzi and manufactured in the UK, is this something you feel passionate about? Do you stock a lot of other British designer makers?
I do feel strongly that it is important to support British designers, particularly with the economy the way it is at the moment and the effects of Brexit on the horizon. We try to buy British flowers where possible and by stocking local designers and artists it allows our product range to stand out from the rest of the high-street.

That is fantastic to hear! Why did you decide to have gift items as well as the florist?
Whilst our main business is floristry I felt that it was important to offer our customers a choice of gifts and homewares that compliment our flowers. We often sell flowers in containers as a complete gift allowing people to give something for now to enjoy, but also a gift which can be treasured in the future and re-used time and again. There is also nowhere in our immediate vicinity that offers this service so we wanted to fulfil that gap in the market.

It is a wonderful idea, and it looks so lovely too! Do you do a lot of weddings and big events etc with the floristry?
Weddings and events make up a large part of our business and throughout the summer months particularly we are busy most weekends helping to create unique designs for our clients. We specialise in offering a service where brides and groom’s can come to us with their ideas and vision and we work alongside them throughout the design process in order to make that a reality for their day. Flowers can add depth and purop

Sounds wonderful, must be so lovely making someones special day look so gorgeous. What first drew your attention to IzziRainey products? 
We first saw the IzziRainey range on instagram and particularly liked the mixture of botanical and natural influences. I think the most popular print has been the Highland Cattle and I’m sure heading into the festive season they will be a top seller for stocking fillers and gifts.

Thank you so much Kate. If you are ever nearby, make sure you pop in! ​https://stemsofsouthwater.co.uk