Regine Motmans: Headpiece with lily Dark Secret

I loved making this for the first time. BFF of the Year 2025 Contest in the Thursd Floral Trend Color 2026.

Somewhere beginning of October, I received my Dark Secret lilies. To make a design for the 'BFF of the Year' Contest. Of course, I chose this color because it is also the color I chose as Thursd Floral Trend Color of the Year 2026: Crimson Nocturne.

Sometimes, the best stories in our industry start with friendship. Bredefleur has built something truly exceptional with their Bredefleur Friends, or BFF’s as they like to call them. It’s not just a network; we are all designers who share a genuine connection with the grower and their lilies, ambassadors for the brand.

Bredefleur decided to take that connection one step further by organizing a creative competition for their BFF’s. Fifteen of forty BFF's took part, each working with Bredefleur lilies in their own way, freely, intuitively, and from the heart. The goal wasn’t to win, but to show what happens when a grower gives space for creativity to excel. For me, this is exactly what our world of flowers needs more of. Honest collaboration, mutual respect, and the courage to create together. That's why I participated. And it really was fun. The result was a mix of personal stories and strong craftsmanship. Anna Loshakova won the competition: her work was truly amazing.

Youth, that was what I wanted to show, youth today, a contemporary image...

I started with curled wood and used "Renewal" floral foam, the new Smithers-Oasis blocks, and created a form that could fit my head. And with some materials like succulents, autumn leaves, and pine cones, I created a base. Afterwards, I added 50 Dark Secret lilies to make the whole. One of my son's friends, Manon, modeled for me, and I just loved the vibe. Youth and natural beauty, it was exactly what I wanted to feel. As a nature photographer, my sister is really good at highlighting beauty; she did an awesome job.

Author: Regine Motmans
Photography: Cindy Motmans
Model: Manon Claes