Ruben Consa, AIFD,CFD
Mr. Ruben Consa, an international floral designer, has been involved in the floral industry for over 25 years as a designer, retailer, educator, commentator, consultant and promoter of floral products. Until 1998 he was the owner of two of the most respected flower shops in Manhattan, New York, Environmental Designs. At the present time he is conducting business in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. as Floral Environments.
In New York Ruben’s customers included Broadway stage actors, Hollywood stars, professional athletes and major Italian fashion houses. His floral education began in New York City and was complemented by further studies in Holland, Italy and England. Ruben is a spontaneous and energetic designer who incorporates his own metal and wood sculptures into his floral designs. He has done special events at the New York City’s Museum of Modern Art, The American Craft Museum, the Brooklyn Museum and Gracie Mansion. Most recently in Florida at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA), different Art Galleries in Coral Gables and the Biltmore Hotel. Also, working decorating many private homes in the West Palm, Broward and Dade Counties.
In competition he has won awards in the famous “Gramercy Park Flower Show”, “The New York Flower Show”, and the “FTD” America’s Cup”. He was a member of the prestigious AFS Educational Team, an organization dedicated to floral education and profesionalism worldwide.
Ruben has taught and presented Flower Shows throughout the United States, Europe, South America and the Caribbean. During his participation in these shows he has been sponsored by companies such as: The John Henry Co., Floralife, Smither Oasis, Design Master, Knud Nielsen, Syndicate Sales, Autralia Flower Council, Colombia Flower Council, California Flower Council, Red Book, Interflora and AFS.
While promoting these companies, he has made contacts with manufacturers, importers and exporters, growers, wholesalers, retailers and educators worldwide.
In 1997, Ruben worked with the Innovation and Practical University of Florisitery in Ede, Netherlands (Holland) creating a postsecondary level textbook concerning the influences of various cultures in floral design. Also, during this year he began working as a Floral Editor for the Professional Floral Designer Magazine, the official publication of the former American Floral Services (AFS).
Recognizing the need for floral products and the need for floral education in Latin America and the USA, in 1995 Ruben launched Latin Floral Exports to serve the countries in Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. He is also involved in working as a consultant for retail flower shops and floral decorating companies in terms of helping them improve their image and their service to their customers. During the past 12 years Mr. Consa has been involved in Representing floral manufacturers and distributors in the Latinamerican territory. He is currently representing JIM MARVIN COLLECTION and BERKELEY FLORIST SUPPLY CO. His efforts have been instrumental in the marketing of floral products in the region. In 2006 and 2007 Ruben’s travels to Hong Kong and China proved to be very beneficial for his customers. He also developed tights with several manufacturers where he is assisting with product development projects.
Since 1989, Ruben has been an active member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) , an organization of about 2000 members worldwide dedicated to upholding the highest standards of profesionalism through public education of floral design. Membership is selective and it is offered only to floral designers who have exhibited great technical skills and artistic ability. When AIFD appears after a florist’s name it means that the designer is committed to excelling in professional floral design. In July of 1998, Ruben presented “Cultura Latina” at the AIFD National Convention in front of 1500 members in Boston, Massachussets.
In 1972, Ruben received a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts from the University of Puerto Rico with a minor in Business Administration.
In 1999, Ruben relocated to South Florida to continue to develop Latin Floral Exports and the opportunities that exist in Latin America and the local market in Miami, Fl. In 2010 he assisted in opening the JIM MARVIN DESIGNER OUTLET a company dedicated to market Christmas high end décor and accessories. At the present time he is managing the JIM MARVIN’S business venture and also teaching floral design all over Latin America and decorating prestigious international Society Weddings and events. Must recently he participated as a floral designer of the prestigious Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. There he assisted in decorating 12 floats and 9 of the 12 received awards.
Recently Mr. Consa participated in working for the Ringling Brother’s Circus in New York City where he decorated the Gran Gala event of the Circus openning.
