The Instagram page c.fauve reads like a poetry book, an ode to nature. For Chantale Fahmi, creating a bouquet, is like writing a poem. ‘These are my inspirations’ she says, 'nature, my childhood, people around me and love.’
Chantale’s passion for flowers and floral arrangements started since her childhood. Her grandfather loved flowers and used to plant uncommon species in his courtyard, unlike anything seen in the neighborhood. Her older sister would take her for strolls in nature, in their hometown of Akkar; she taught her to pick the right flowers, that can be dried and long-lasting. Chantale moved to Beirut in 2009 to study photography, and she is now finalizing her master degree in art criticism and curatorial studies. In the city, the young lady felt the urge to always have plenty of greenery in her apartment so she would really feel at home. In 2018, she started to post photos of her floral creations on Instagram, unusual wildflowers in popping colors, along with poetic scribblings, like notes from a diary. She received a lot of encouragement from her friends, and decided to launch c.fauve floral design, offering us an insight into her treasured secret garden; delicate flower arrangements in bright and sweet tones, sometimes jotting a thought, a poem or a beautiful musing. Chantale composes with blooms of wild Cosmos, light pink Peonies, white or lively orange Poppies, English Roses, Chamomiles, sometimes she uses fruits like raspberries, and wild herbs. She curates everything on her page; the colors, words, photos, videos, even the clothes. ‘It’s coming from my love of nature; my bouquets are inspired by nature’s wild organic shapes; that's why it’s called C’est Fauve.’
The first bouquet she made was for a friend who had given birth. Chantale created the page with just the intention of posting photos of her flowers. To her surprise, the year of launch, she received many wedding requests. She was new to wedding decoration, and with her clients’ trust and her love for small weddings, the business quickly grew. At first, her family, her mother and sisters, became the main team behind c.fauve but ‘things have changed now, the family is no longer in Lebanon and I needed a bigger team because requests are multiple.’ When she first started, the artist used to collect flowers and greenery from her mother’s garden and her parents' farm in their hometown. Now with the high demand, she also buys from the market, especially for weddings. Childhood remains her key source of inspiration; she wants every bouquet to evoke something from the past; sometimes to enjoy the present more and sometimes just to express a nostalgic feeling through art. Chantale draws beauty from the joyful moments she recalls from her childhood, but also in the most difficult times flowers can be her therapy. ‘It is all about my childhood, my hometown, our farm, my parents, my grandpa, my sisters, mon amour Majd, my friends and all the lovely people I meet daily.’ For an autumn bouquet, a nostalgic season which brings back sorrowful memories for Chantale, she escapes this feeling with a joyful selection; mixing the season’s dark hues with brighter ones, and lots of greenery; silvery Eucalyptus, yellow pops of Golden Drumstick, deep blue Globe Thistle, dotted with vibrant fuschia Geraldton Wax. The young lady reveals she has a lot to say ‘I hold lots of emotions, I can share them only through my art in photography or with my floral styling.’ Or the enchantment of combining both.
Any tips to keep flowers lasting longer at home?
My bouquets last long because I only use fresh flowers, daily picked from my hometown or from the market. Fresh flowers always last long. Change the water daily especially in summer and cut a little bit of the stems bottom to refresh them. Some King of flowers (Peonies) and Roses can be dried, by putting them upside down in the dark to preserve the colors and the shape.
