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Inside The Studio Of Braer: A Florist And Gallery Space Rooted In Nature
31/01/25
Author: RIISE Team
DOCUMENTED BY: RIISE
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While in Byron recently, the RIISE team had the privilege of touring Azzmin’s studio, Braer, known for taking a unique approach to floristry through waste-free solutions and a profound respect for nature.
Rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Sogetsu Ikebana, Azzmin’s passion for flowers blossomed during a transformative residency at Tokyo’s Sogetsu School in 2019. This experience inspired Braer, her flower shop and gallery that champions the ‘slow flower’ movement through local, seasonal blooms. Each arrangement carries a unique touch, incorporating foraged elements and unexpected materials like vegetables and seed pods.
Read on as Azzmin shares her creative journey, from Sogetsu Ikebana to building her artistic eco-system in Byron Bay.
"It’s a cycle of respect—for the earth, for the growers, and for the ephemeral beauty of flowers. This approach allows us to focus on creating something meaningful and fleeting yet lasting in its emotional resonance."
RIISE: Could you talk us through some of the processes or practices you use to promote your ‘slow flowers’ philosophy, whether that involves sourcing native blooms, preservation techniques, or waste-free solutions?
AR: At Braer, we embrace what nature offers in its own time, which is the heart of our ‘slow flowers’ approach. We prioritise working with local growers, allowing us to source the freshest seasonal blooms that are directly connected to our community and environment. By celebrating what’s naturally abundant, we avoid the need for imported flowers, which often come with a heavy carbon footprint and plastic waste.
We also practice mindful design, using unique and textured ingredients that bring intrigue and a fresh perspective to floral arrangements. We also compost all our green waste at the studio and never use floral foam which is toxic to humans and the environment. It’s a cycle of respect—for the earth, for the growers, and for the ephemeral beauty of flowers. This approach allows us to focus on creating something meaningful and fleeting yet lasting in its emotional resonance.
RIISE: You mentioned that you previously shared space with Tones and now with workwear brand, Marsh, and bookstore, Bacteria Books. How does working in a multidisciplinary space with other creatives influence or inspire your practice?
AR: Sharing space with other creatives fosters a sense of dialogue and discovery that deeply enriches my work. Our communal space, ‘Garden Kiosk’, is a place for us to build our businesses alongside one another, exchange ideas and invite the community to admire the beauty of nature, and our connection to the earth, and to each other.
Being surrounded by diverse disciplines opens my eyes to new textures, rhythms, and narratives that inspire my approach to form and movement in my installations. It also provides a supportive and fun environment to work in!
"Being surrounded by diverse disciplines opens my eyes to new textures, rhythms, and narratives that inspire my approach to form and movement in my installations."
RIISE: What gets you in your flow state when you experience a creative block?
AR: Stepping outside and reconnecting with nature always brings me back to centre. Whether it’s walking in the bush, noticing the shift in seasons, or collecting fallen branches and leaves, nature has a way of clearing mental clutter and sparking new ideas.
I also find inspiration in simple, tactile activities such as arranging flowers without intention, sketching, or even revisiting books on art, architecture and ikebana. These moments remind me that creativity often thrives when there’s no pressure to produce, only the joy of exploration.
RIISE: How would you describe your relationship with social media and its impact on the floristry industry? Do you find it more of a source of inspiration or a cause for comparison?
AR: Social media is a double-edged sword in many ways. It’s a beautiful platform for sharing work, connecting with like-minded creatives, and finding inspiration across the globe. However, it can also invite comparison, which I think is a common challenge for many of us in creative fields.
Personally, it’s about maintaining boundaries and using social media as a tool rather than a measure of worth, which can be harder than I care to admit at times. I try to stay rooted in my own values and practice, knowing that true creativity isn’t something that can be quantified in likes or trends.
Ultimately, it’s the connections and conversations that matter most. That’s what I have cherished from using Instagram all these years. I have had the pleasure of getting to know so many other inspiring creatives and AMAZING florists from around the world.
"...creativity often thrives when there’s no pressure to produce, only the joy of exploration. "
RIISE: We were intrigued by your background in Sogetsu Ikebana. Could you share how the principles and philosophies of Ikebana shape your floristry practice and broader creative expression? What inspired you to challenge traditional floristry norms in this way—was there a particular person, experience, or place that influenced this path? How do you integrate these ancient Eastern practices into modern Western society?
AR: Sogetsu Ikebana has taught me to see floristry as more than arranging flowers, it’s about capturing an interplay of mass, line, space (Ma), and emotion. Its principles - such as asymmetry, balance, and working with what’s naturally available—have shaped not just my approach to flowers, but my broader creative philosophy.
Whilst I have never trained in Western floristry, I have learned a lot over the past 13 years or so of working with flowers.
I started by researching old books on Ikebana and a short residency at the Sogetsu School in Tokyo in 2019 was pivotal. The Japanese approach to art, which celebrates imperfection and impermanence, resonated deeply and I felt so inspired being immersed in this way of seeing the world. It truly opened my eyes to what was possible with flowers as an art form.
Integrating Ikebana into a business context means blending its mindfulness with the boldness of modern aesthetics and using some prominent principles within each arrangement. Whether in an event installation or a simple table arrangement, I aim to create pieces with intention and a feeling of movement and space.
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Documented By: RIISE
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