Florist supplier blossoms with global outlet

A FAMILY-run florist supplier that has served the Yorkshire region for more than a century has launched its trade globally after setting up a new outlet specialising in fashion products for weddings and proms.

Corsage Creations, a trading name of Leeds-based Douthwaite & Co, offers floral fashion jewellery and accessories and is now supplying overseas as well as nationwide.

As managing director of the family company established by his great-grandfather 127 years ago, James Douthwaite was looking for ways to expand the business, now in its fourth generation.

He set up Corsage Creations to provide floral fashion products for a range of events using his global connections in the floral industry.

The business idea was born after Mr Douthwaite discovered the success of corsages across the Atlantic and he has enlisted the help of American firm Fitz Designs to ship the trend to the UK.

“The trend has been huge in the States for some time now, and I wanted to bring that across to Britain. Working with Fitz Designs means we know what works and what’s popular with customers. We want to bring new and innovative products to the market in the UK, which we know we can do,” he said.

Corsage Creations product range includes jewellery and accessories from tiaras to bracelets, buttonholes, wrist corsages and buckles – all designed to feature fresh flowers.

Mr Douthwaite added: “We’ve always had a market for proms as well as weddings but now people are buying products to wear out to parties and events as well as for really special occasions, so floral accessories are becoming more mainstream.”