Avia Collinder, Outlook Writer
The best designs come form the heart, Poo claims.- photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Poo at the Thai floral workshop held at the Jamaica Pegasus on June 18.
Phubast Chesdmethee is an Asian who believes that art can be shared and expressed, regardless of nationality. His wellspring of inspiration, he states, is grounded in the philosophy 'I can't make it without all of you'.
Chesdmethee was recently in Jamaica to demonstrate his creative skills during Thai Week. Holding several workshops at The Jamaica Pegasus, he demonstrated the fundamentals of eastern floral artistry and showed Jamaicans that they can use local material to create eastern designs as well.
It was his first time in Jamaica but 'Poo', as he is known, has been an international traveller for years.
Phubast Chesdmethee has taught and demonstrated in more than 30 countries, including the United States, Latvia, Spain, Italy and India, The Netherlands, Canada, Russia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan.
At age 10, Poo began to make his own designs while working in the family business - the Malawian Florist - in Bangkok.
Today, although he has since acquired a bachelor's degree in international marketing, commerce and accounting, he remains a florist, and a very special one. At the age of 18 he was the organiser of the biggest wedding in Mumbai, India. He was also designer of the Miss Universe Contest, staged in Thailand in 2005.
Poo is now known as the royal florist who is consultant to the Sultan of Brunei. Many palaces have been graced by his work.
Poo says confidently, "It is true that 80 per cent of the floral designers in the world are female, but it is also true that 80 per cent of the famous designers are male."
physical advantage
Men, he says, have the physical advantage of being stronger and heavier, and are therefore able to play with construction in creating floral design.
Modern design using the Thai technique involves construction, to create form as well as sewing, pinning and weaving. Thai design emphasises not only the use of blooms but also detailing and workmanship.
During his visit to Jamaica, Poo was able to demonstrate these techniques, using local material. Taken to the gardens of his friends in Jamaica, Poo collected ginger plants, bird of paradise, sea grapes, passion flowers, ferns, twigs and palm tree branches. Fruits were also used lavishly.
Western work, he notes, emphasises blooms and containers. In Thai floral creations, the container also plays a role, but it depends on the overall design.
So adept is he at what he does, that in 1997 he was chosen as the Smithers-Oasis Preferred Designer and Instructor.
Headquartered in Ohio, United States, Smithers-Oasis is a leading manufacturer of foam products for the floral and horticulture industries.
Poo also won the fourth place in the Teleflora world competition in 2000. In 1998, he won first place in the World Flower Council design competition in Canada.
Serving as international membership chairman of the World Flower Council, he also heads the team for floral decoration of the palace of Indonesia for Independence Day.
Since 2003, Poo was appointed as the florist consultant for oriental hotel in Bangkok and the Taj group of hotels in India.
Phubast is also a consultant to the Sultan of Brunei, and has decorated his palace for birthdays, state visitors and royal banquets.
In June 2007 he provided decorations for the two-week long, lavish wedding celebration for the daughter of Brunei's sultan. Princess Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah, 31, and Khairul Khalil, 32, exchanged their vows according to Islamic religious rites in the palace.
"The celebration lasted 14 days. With different functions requiring different decorations to match the theme, the quantity and quality of material used was tremendous.
"Designs and colours were unique for every function. On the last day, which was the royal reception, it took 80 people to execute the decoration," Poo states.
TV show
Poo, who also works as an event designer, says what he does best is floral design.
Now 37 years old, the designer this year celebrates 12 years of his own TV show on local channels in Thailand. The 30-minute segment features all the hobbies and styling issues which female audiences love, as well as floral design.
He enjoys all aspects of his career which relate to floral design, including travelling to do workshops.
"I have been very fortunate to visit many countries to give demonstrations and conduct workshops," he told Outlook.
Last year he said he was also in the Caribbean, but that time in St Kitts and Nevis.
In Jamaica, Poo was able to leave his students with new insight into how they can use floral design to grace their lives.
"My philosophy in floral design is that there is never right or wrong. It happens to the right heart. If you like it, it is the best," the designer states.
"Everybody can be a great designer. We respect all designs. We respect creativity more than rules. Sometimes just one flower can be the greatest design," he declares.
Consultant to the Sultan of Brunei, Phubast (Poo) Chesdmethee, at the Thai flower workshop in Jamaica recently.
A creation by Phubast (Poo) Chesdmethee.
Phubast (Poo) Chesdmethee has taught in the United States, Latvia, Spain, Italy, India, The Netherlands, Canada, Russia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan.
Poo tackles a design made with Jamaican plants.
