Australian Bart Hassam is the new Floral design World Champion

Australia’s Bart Hassam was named the 2019 World Cup Champion at the conclusion of one of the world’s most prestigious floral design competitions. The three-day competition was held at the Philadelphia Flower Show, bringing 23 top floral designers from around the globe under one roof.

“This has been a really wonderful experience and I am very grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me,” said Hassam during his acceptance speech. “I know that it is a rare opportunity [to compete in a World Cup] for anyone from any country, and I am thankful.”

Hassam, a resident of Brisbane, Australia, is a professional floral designer and active floristry competitor. He has won the Interflora Australia Florist of the Year Competition five times and the 2011 Intercontinental Asia Cup. He exhibits, demonstrates and teaches floral design all around the world.

Hassam was named champion at the conclusion of the evening alongside first runner-up Natalia Zhizhko from Russia and second runner-up Tamás Mezöffy from Hungary.

FTD World Cup is held approximately every four to six years. This is the first time the three-day floral design competition was held in the United States since 1985. The floral designers completed four preliminary design tasks followed by a semi-finals round featuring ten competitors. The five finalists created their final design task live on stage at a gala event with 650 guests.

photos by Michelle Smith / @ginchigoo