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Preston Bailey
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lowers are joy, plain and simple,’ says world-famous event planner Preston Bailey, ‘there is nothing more rewarding than a beautiful garden blanketed with vibrant flowers.’ As women we’ve spent our lives surrounded by displays of affection articulated through the gifting of beautiful flowers. We’d watch in admiration as our fathers brought home bouquets of pink and red roses for our mothers just to say, I love you. The first days of spring were spent vibrantly running through blossoms and playfully decorating our hair with petals. As we grew older we learnt to appreciate the influence flowers held in keeping our homes alive, spoiling friends and family and instantly uplifting our own spirits. Preston Bailey is an event planner who builds dreams and sets passions alive through his visionary spectacles fit for queens (who just so happen to be his customers). With a list of clients – for whom Preston and his team organise well thought out days of perfection, sugar coated in artistic flower arrangements – including Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson, Catherine Zeta Jones and international Royal families, Preston Bailey is a man who knows only too well what truly makes a woman swoon. Preston began his career 30 years ago and prides himself on the ability to realise the dreams women have for their special days. ‘I had simply stumbled into the perfect career, a dream job. It’s incredible to hear about my clients’ fantasies and help them come alive during a big celebration, whether a wedding or a birthday,’ he says. Growing up in Panama, he cites his mother and her generosity as one of his greatest influences. ‘That serves as the basis for all of my events, creating a visually generous space,’ he says. He creates these spaces by expressing the thoughts and desires of his clients through lavish flower displays that leave onlookers breathless. ‘I learned the art of flower arrangements by simply practicing it,’ he adds. He was encouraged to enter the business by interior designer and friend Vicente Wolf, and one of his first clients was the world-famous Christie’s auction house.