Zita Elze’s Design Academy is unusual in its approach to teaching design, focusing on emotions rather than rules. Award-winning designer Zita Elze offers a range of classes for professionals and amateurs, sharing her creativity, originality and inspiration with a generosity of spirit which is reflected by her team of professionally trained tutors. In addition to teaching the essentials of floral design from beginner level to advanced, the Design Academy peels back the layers revealing some of the ground-breaking techniques which have become synonymous with Zita Elze’s style. The academy features monthly, weekly and daily courses, including Zita’s celebrated Floral Embroidery. Zita herself now focusses her teaching on the master classes which include special hand-tied bouquet classes, an advanced study of Wedding Design; and her innovative Concept and Design course. Zita’s talents spread beyond pure floristry into inspired and inspiring teaching – her approach aims to draw out individual students’ creative depths tapping into intuition, emotion and spontaneity.
This same ethos pervades all the teaching. “… what I do is very different from what you find at other schools – I help my students to discover and develop their own creativity.” The four-week course incorporates floral embroidery, wedding design as well as extensive instruction in everything from the history of design to the day to day running of a shop from a practical and aesthetic (rather than strictly business) point of view. The sessions operate on multiple levels and are also devised to deliver the confidence which students will need to pursue their own path and style while providing an excellent foundation for a successful future as a florist. Taking place in a friendly, intimate environment, seasonal one-day classes are also available offering a variety of design ideas using flowers hand-picked in Zita’s enchanting shop, which is just a few doors away. Refreshments and all materials are provided. Along with your new-found knowledge, skills and inspiration, you will take home your arrangements and a completely fresh understanding of floral design.
On-site accommodation is available at the Academy if required. Delightfully decorated in Zita Elze’s signature style, single and double rooms can be let to students, or indeed anyone else looking for a tranquil space close to all amenities and just a short hop away from Central London. Rooms come with a shared bathroom, fully fitted kitchen, laundry facilities and a small terrace for outdoor dining, all just a few minutes walk from Kew Gardens overground and underground station. Gift vouchers, one-to-one or group classes, tailored sessions, hen days, and interpreters for foreign students are all available upon request. Specific Zita Elze Design Academy courses and their prices can be viewed here. For bookings and enquiries about bespoke classes, please contact Zita Elze. Please check the Design Academy page for reviews as well as the Flower School category of the blog, which regularly includes work by recent attendees. Here’s what some of them have had to say:
“Thank you so much for your generosity in your teaching and your dedication to your art. Everyday in this course I have been surprised and my mind has been opened to all the possibilities that floral design can offer. It has challenged me both mentally and emotionally and I have been touched.” “Zita has provided the most valuable insights, advice and guidance during the week. I feel that I have grown much as a designer after the course!” I have enjoyed the four days learning from you, it has been such a wonderful experience.” Connecting music, floral art, compassion and love came naturally to cellist and floristry student Ka Young Kwon. Researching her Advanced Wedding Design concept, she says: “I saw one picture. A pop of colour to herald in the warmer weather, we’re delighted to share this bridal flowers feature in the May issue of Asiana Wedding, The Colour of Love. Design Academy student Kim Gyongmi’s advanced wedding project transports us to a colourful beach scene worthy of a tropical princess.
Zita said, “Kim was such a delightful open minded student […] We’re busy with Valentine’s Day orders! Pop in to choose from a selection of arrangements and gifts or place an order for delivery locally or nationally. We’ve posted a couple […] Eun Seo Kwak’s wedding design masterclass project is suffused with vintage style in a soft palette of muted metallics, pale pinks, earth tones and rich burgundy foliage. Set around an […]The shop reopened today and the studio is full of floral activity in preparation for the Aashni + Co Wedding Show, at The Dorchester, London on Sunday […] The winter holidays are here. The flower shop closes tomorrow afternoon, Christmas Eve, until January. Thank you all for your support in 2016. New Year’s Eve party inspiration with a […] Winter offers its own inspiring story. The trees shake off their leafy cloaks, soft lichen and moss textures their bare branches’ only embellishments. Sparse colours sparkle in the fading light.
Welcome December, the first day of Advent and the final preparations for tomorrow’s Kew Sparkle, our annual village Christmas party. We hope you’ll join us in the shop between 5 […] Autumn’s warm colours and chilly nights are with us. Thanksgiving is coming up, marking the start of the festive season. The shop is resplendent in fall’s rich tones and it’s […]Find out more about courses. The Zita Elze Design Academy was established in 2010. “I decided to open the Academy after having so many requests from people interested in exploring my personal style. We offer everything from a single day or evening class for amateurs, to a full four-week class for professionals. We also cover a full training for someone wishing to open a shop, focusing heavily on sources of inspiration and creativity. Our 3-day course ‘Concept and Design’ in particular seems to have a revolutionary effect on students, bringing their creative talents to the fullest and teaching them how to design with a whole new vision…”
From in-depth, four week-long design courses for professionals to master classes in wedding design and day workshops on bouquet-tying or wreaths, we invite you to join one of Zita Elze Design Academy’s expert tutorials. All classes are suitable for beginners through to experienced florists. Whether you’re looking at developing an existing floral design career, want to explore the craft of flower arranging or are simply looking for guidance in creating beautiful gifts, there is a class to suit you. Bespoke classes can also be arranged on request. You can choose to attend alone or come with family, friends, bridesmaids and hens. “She’s a true magician. This is the distinctive thing about her course, always! Creativity, surprise and art. The working process is intense and tough but I was proud of myself and happy at the end of the courses every time.” Noriko Kondo, 2015, who has studied with Zita on different occasions. “I just love Zita’s work, including her stunning floral embroidery.