ABOUT
Hi, I’m Paola!
Founder of Bees And Lilacs
I never imagined my career would lead me to flowers, but after years in finance, I decided to follow what made me happiest. Today, I create seasonal floral designs inspired by the timeless beauty of English gardens, always striving for elegance through simplicity and natural movement.
The Journey
A Timeline of Where This All Started
A love for Numbers
Numbers and structure
I left my hometown of Verona to study Economics at Bocconi University in Milan. Those years taught me the value of hard work, discipline and resilience, while also giving me friendships that I continue to treasure to this day.
New Perspectives
New beginnings in London
I moved to London to complete a Master’s in Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. It was the start of a wonderful new chapter, where I fell in love with both the city I now call home and my future husband.
Career
A career in banking
My years in banking were both challenging and rewarding. Looking back, they gave me far more than a career: they taught me discipline, instilled strong problem-solving skills and gave me the confidence to create a business of my own.
A pause
A pause for what matters most
Becoming a mother to my two daughters was a turning point. Slowing down to focus on family gave me the time and perspective to rediscover my creative side and, ultimately, led me towards floristry.
Creative Calling
The creative calling
Determined to turn my passion into a profession, I trained at Judith Blacklock Flower School, where I developed the foundations of my floristry skills. During the Covid years, I also created floral arrangements for the charity In-Deep, an experience that both deepened my confidence and confirmed that floristry was the path I wanted to follow.
8th of March 2022
Bees and Lilacs was born
Bees and Lilacs was founded in 2022 on International Women’s Day, a fitting date to celebrate a journey shaped by courage, creativity and a passion for creating beauty through flowers.
Chelsea in Bloom
We feel honoured to have been part of Chelsea in Bloom in recent years, an inspiring annual celebration of flowers, creativity and community taking place alongside the Chelsea Flower Show.
In 2025, our installation was awarded a Gold Medal for our floral interpretation of a charming tooth fairy, brought to life through delicate floral fashion. This recognition was a wonderful reflection of our passion for creating imaginative floral designs that combine storytelling, craftsmanship and elegance.
