Grown to Last

Being Neighbourly x Yulia Kim, Blooms Forever

Author/ Being Neighbourly
20 August 2025

I started in a completely different world — finance. I studied banking and worked in a bank, but I’ve always felt pulled toward creativity. Over the years, I explored more visual and expressive paths, and slowly found my way into floristry,” says Yulia Kim, Founder of Blooms Forever and Creative Florist.

Kim’s background is multicultural. She was born in Uzbekistan, is ethnically Korean, and has lived in Russia, South Korea and now Hong Kong, where Blooms Forever is based, focusing on creating one-of-a-kind floral arrangements using preserved and dried flowers.

“I grew up in a culture where flowers were part of everyday life, not just for special occasions. But I was always struck by how quickly fresh flowers fade. It felt like such a loss, both emotionally and environmentally.
That’s what drew me to preserved flowers, real blooms that stay soft and beautiful for months.”

Kim says she started Blooms Forever to show that preserved flowers can be more than gift boxes or domes. “They can be part of everyday life, styled in ways that feel modern, meaningful, and made to last,” she shares.

However, the Founder and florist says there are still some misconceptions. “Some people imagine preserved flowers as artificial, or only think of the classic rose-in-a-glass-dome from Beauty and the Beast. But what we create looks and feels real — soft, elegant, and modern. Once people see them in person, their perspective often shifts. The idea of lasting beauty really resonates.”

“Each piece is made with intention, designed to reflect a client’s personality and to elevate the space it’s placed in, whether it’s a private home, a gift, or a celebration,” says Kim, adding that Blooms Forever also creates small-batch, pre-arranged collections for seasonal moments like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

Kim says that they source flowers from top manufacturers around the world — growers who preserve blooms right after harvest, using advanced techniques to keep their softness, shape, and colour.

“Most of our flowers come from South America, which is especially known for its stunning preserved roses, and from Japan, where quality and refinement are exceptional. We only use flowers that meet a certain standard — so we know each arrangement will last beautifully for months, sometimes much longer.”

Our clients are usually people who love flowers but are tired of how quickly fresh ones fade. They don’t want to change water every few days or throw out wilting blooms after a week. They want something more lasting, more thoughtful, and more sustainable. Many are looking for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. Others are people with allergies or pets — preserved flowers are pollen-free and scent-free, making them a safer choice at home. And we work with couples for weddings too, they love being able to keep their bouquet or gift centerpieces to family and friends as a memory that stays.

The outfit also hosts floral workshops, crafts sustainable bridal bouquets and wedding décor, and offers DIY flower kits so people can explore preserved floristry in their own way. “Right now, about 70% of our work is focused on floral arrangements, both custom-made and small collections. Workshops make up the remaining 30%, and they’re becoming a really special part of the brand.”

Many workshop participants are discovering preserved flowers for the first time, says Kim. “There’s something powerful about seeing them create with their own hands. The workshops aren’t just about floristry, they’re about slowing down, connecting with natural materials, and making something that reflects your style. It’s meaningful, creative, and very grounding.”

Our go-to flowers are roses and hydrangeas, but one of our signatures is the peony. Preserved peonies don’t actually exist — the petals are too fragile to preserve. But because I love peonies so much (and they’re deeply symbolic in Chinese culture), we handcraft them ourselves by shaping other preserved blooms. It’s a time-intensive process, but it’s part of the craftsmanship that sets us apart. To our knowledge, we’re the only ones in Hong Kong creating preserved peonies in this way.

“From the first petal to the final ribbon, every detail is handled with care. Our goal is for each creation to feel not just beautiful, but personal, lasting, and crafted with heart. We want to grow, absolutely but in a way that feels right. Not louder, just more meaningful. And when something is built with care and intention, people feel it and that’s the kind of connection I want to create.”

What’s the best work advice you have received?

“One thing my father once told me has stayed with me: ‘Don’t chase what’s loud. Build what feels true, even if it takes time,” says Yulia Kim, Founder of Blooms Forever and Creative Florist.

“At first, I thought he meant patience. But over time, especially through building Blooms Forever, I understood he was talking about integrity, about staying close to your values, even when it’s tempting to follow trends or quick wins,” she says.

“This advice helped shape how I built this brand. Blooms Forever was never about mass production or volume. We’re not making thousands of identical pieces. We focus on craftsmanship, design, and sustainability, creating with care, one arrangement at a time.”

Blooms Forever
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