Liza Langen

Hi Liza, so nice to have you with us! Tell us about yourself. 

– I’m 34, I’m a mother of two. I’m originally from Russia and have also been living briefly in Brazil and Italy before finally moving to Sweden twelve years ago. I studied finance and moved to Stockholm while working for a big international company. A change of career was kind of spontaneous for many but really obvious for me, I always wanted to work in a creative field. I have now been working in floristry for soon nine years and never looked back! 

Tell us about Liza Langen Flowers! 

– I started Liza Langen Flowers together with my partner Niklas in October 2016. Though it happened years after I moved to Sweden, my grandparents, avid gardeners, were the ones who planted the first seed in my growing passion for floristry. Throughout my life, I valued the symbolism of flowers, and upon moving abroad, I realized how strongly they made me feel connected to myself and my family. Sweden was the place that taught me to embrace seasonal change more profoundly, and floristry gave me the tools to stay inspired in the dark months and present on long summer days. In October last year I also released my first book,‘The Practice Of Arranging Flowers’ and opened our new studio and shop in Sodermalm. This really feels like a new chapter both for the company but also me personally.

So, what about flowers makes you so passionate? 

– The way even the smallest of flowers can change the whole atmosphere in a room, our mood, express what we could not say with words. Flowers keep us present and teach that nothing is permanent, each moment is so precious.

That is truly a beautiful reminder. Where do you get inspiration from?

– Observing how nature changes throughout the seasons is my biggest inspiration. I think it’s something we in Sweden often take for granted (or even complain sometimes) but I believe it’s a gift to witness how our surroundings and frankly life changes four times a year, with each season bringing new energy, new emotions and its own beauty.

Do you have a philosophy of life that you live by?

– I often refer to one of my favorite quotes by Henry David Thoreau “The question is not what you are looking at, but what you see”. I really try to apply this to my everyday life, both choosing to see the best in different situations and people, but also to interpret seasons or a single moment through a medium of flowers, which becomes my artistic vision.

What is occupying your mind right now? 

– Wow, lots of things 🙂 I’m really looking forward to this year! Settling in our new space, expanding the team, there are many exciting projects and collaborations coming up soon, Valentines, I’m working on a new workshop series and opening upstairs space. But mostly I’m really looking forward to spring and all the beautiful flowers and branches it brings.

Tell us about something that makes you happy? 

– I do love receiving flowers myself 🙂 Most people are for some reason afraid of gifting flowers to florists but you will never go wrong with a gift of a seasonal bunch. Recently I also went to Rome with my 4y old daughter, and it was a little dream come true, our first mother daughter trip we both enjoyed so so much!

Oh, what a great trip. Tell us about something that changed you?

– Becoming a mother to Nova and Louis has by far had the biggest impact on me. It has been the most challenging and revealing journey, but also the happiest and most rewarding one. Kids are always in the present, and it has been the biggest lesson to try and follow them, be more grounded and appreciate every little moment as it is.

What are you reading? 

– Currently on the last pages of “Mothering Economy” by Jenny Grettve. It’s a beautiful read exploring ideas how we can relate to the world which seems in chaos differently. The author is raising very challenging questions about our absolute trust in technology as the best and only solution to the world’s problems and asking to shift our mindset into what makes human life more meaningful and beautiful. It’s a journey of philosophy, science, economy and art. I highly recommend it.

Which of your possessions do you value the most?

– I have an old photo album from our childhood, where my mom dried and saved beautiful leaves and flowers we gathered throughout the years. I really love this little herbarium of memories and now began to create a new one with my children as well.

And something you learned recently

– There is never a perfect moment for anything. The last two years have been particularly tough. Having a second child, writing and publishing a book, opening a new studio and store all at the same time, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “maybe you should wait, the timing isn’t right”. But it never is. Yes it was a lot of hard work and dedication, but I don’t think it necessarily would have been easier any other time. Life is happening now. I would always choose to make a step towards a dream no matter how hard it might be versus regretting later not taking that step.

Thank you Liza!