Bouquet from The Petal. Photo: The Petal
Fleurs de Villes’ FLORA brings couture floral installations to Edina.
This spring, the Galleria will bloom with over 15 custom couture-inspired looks designed by Twin Cities florists. The show, FLORA, is a first-time partnership with Fleurs de Villes, and is free and open to self-guided tours from April 10–19. Ballots are available at the concierge, and visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite floral mannequin design.
With a unique story behind each installation, we spoke with Tajalli Missaghi, owner of The Petal, along with Bridget Connell and Marsha Hunt, owners of Haute House Studio, to explore FLORA and the Edina florists’ inspirations behind their designs.
Marsha Hunt and Bridget Connell, owners of Haute House Studio. Photo: Hillary Wallace Photography
How did you get started in floral design?
Tajalli Missaghi (TM): I’ve always been a lover of and a student of flowers, constantly dreaming up arrangements in my head long before I picked up a pair of shears. When I moved into my own home, that passion turned into a daily practice.
Bridget Connell (BC): I actually started in the creative world as a product designer and interiors designer. Through a friend of my mom’s, I was connected to Marsha, who worked as a florist at the time, and it just clicked.
Marsha Hunt (MH): My creative path into floral design traces an unexpected arc—from research chemistry to packaging design to the expressive world of florals. After beginning my career at Dow Chemical and later at General Mills, I transitioned into a floral career, where I tend to merge my technical expertise with artistic vision.
What goes into planning an event like FLORA?
TM: There are a lot of logistics and mechanics involved in creating a design like the FLORA show. The flowers are the fun part, what you don’t see are the hours spent brainstorming, architectural planning and rigorous testing. We have to engineer hidden mechanics to ensure the structure is stable and select specific varieties that can withstand the duration of the show.
Tajalli Missaghi, owner of The Petal. Photo: Tajalli Missaghi
What will be different about this Galleria flower show compared to previous ones?
MH: This year’s show feels especially immersive and narrative-driven. There’s a strong emphasis on storytelling through florals—designs that don’t just showcase flowers, but transport viewers into a moment or a place. In our installation, for example, we explore the transition from winter to spring, creating a living scene that unfolds from frost into full bloom.
What should people expect when they attend?
BC: At the end of the day, we hope people feel something. Flowers have this way of instantly lifting a space and a mood, and if someone walks away feeling a little lighter, a little more inspired or just having experienced something beautiful—that’s everything to us.
Wedding florals by Haute House Studio. Photo: Mycah Bain Photography
How would you explain FLORA’s message?
BC: I think that Flora’s message is about the power of beauty to transform how we feel in a space and in a moment. Flowers are fleeting, but they have this incredible ability to create connection, evoke emotion and turn something ordinary into something memorable.
What has been the most exciting part of planning for this event?
TM: I’ve loved finding innovative ways to manipulate botanicals—taking a leaf or a petal and reimagining it as fabric or jewelry for the design. It’s been a thrill to push the boundaries of what a flower can do.
The Petal’s storefront at 50th & France. Photo: Tajalli Missaghi
What has been the biggest challenge preparing for this year’s show?
TM: The 10-day duration is the ultimate test. Keeping organic material looking runway-ready for over a week requires a strong attention to hydration and longevity. The challenge lies in the behind-the-scenes maintenance, constant monitoring and clever engineering to ensure every petal stays perfect from day one to day 10.
How has being part of this flower show been rewarding?
MH: It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to something that brings people joy and a sense of wonder. Seeing guests engage with the work—pausing, exploring and connecting with the story—reminds us why we create. It’s also a meaningful opportunity to collaborate within the floral community and be part of a larger creative experience.
Fleurs de Villes
Instagram: @fleursdevilles
Haute House Studio
Instagram: @hautehousestudio
Galleria Edina
Instagram: @galleriaedina
The Petal
Instagram: @thepetalfloraldesign
