Simon J Lycett
Since 1993 when Simon was asked to arrange the flowers for the smash-hit film ‘Four Weddings And A Funeral’ his work has been much in demand for every type of event from stunning yet modest parties to decadent dinners and magical weddings the world over, as well as TV, commercials, radio, films and premieres. This iconic film celebrated it’s 25 year anniversary in March 2019 with ‘One Red Nose Day and A Wedding’ when Simon reunited with the original cast and supplied in excess of 5,000 floral stems.
The names of Simon’s clients are synonymous with high profile and glamour such as Sir Elton John, Sir Ringo Starr and Thandie Newton. Simon has created the wedding reception decorations for Their Majesties The King and Queen Consort at Windsor Castle, for David and Victoria Beckham, Viscount and Viscountess Weymouth and Cheryl Cole. Simon decorated Windsor Castle for the wedding of HRH Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, and Longleat House for the wedding of British Vogue Editor Edward Enninful OBE to Alec Maxwell.
To celebrate the 80th birthday of The Late Queen Elizabeth II, Simon decorated the Royal Box at the Royal Opera House for a Gala Performance and the private dinner held at The Ritz. Simon and his team also provided the flowers for the party The Queen gave at the Mandarin Oriental the evening before the wedding of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales where more than 50 crowned heads of state were present. Simon created a magical setting for the Winter White’s Gala, the first party hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales at Kensington Palace and decorated the TUSK Conservation Awards at The Royal Society for the charity of which the Prince of Wales is patron. Simon created decorations for the private party held at Windsor Castle to celebrate The Late Queen Elizabeth II and The Late Duke of Edinburgh’s 70th Wedding Anniversary.
Simon J Lycett Ltd has been involved in many high-profile events over the years including the International Rome Film Festival and the BAFTA Film Awards, providing around 160 – 180 table decorations, each 6’ – 7’ tall and based on the nominated films. Any day of the week the workroom will be filled with endless trolleys carefully packed
with decorations ready to be driven to one of the unique venues of London, or one of the Historic Royal Palaces, where they are proudly accredited as one of only two Cross Palace Suppliers.
Simon joined one of the UK’s most adored and venerated TV Cooks, in the BBC1 series ‘Classic Mary Berry’. Viewers and Mary alike watched in awe as Simon and his Team created a sumptuous feast of flowers within the Henry VIII Banqueting Hall, Leeds Castle. Simon co-presented a documentary on BBC2 with Cherry Healey. Simon travelled the world filming for the one-hour documentary ‘The World’s Biggest Flower Market’ which revealed the secret world of the largest flower market on earth in Holland. Simon is a regular Guest Expert on ITVs Love Your Weekend and This Morning. A regular contributor each year for the BBC during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Simon also creates the posies presented to the Royal Family. Simon was featured by the BBC for the first ever virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show. As part of the RHS 150th anniversary celebrations for their highly regarded magazine The Garden, Simon designed a stunning floral installation for the cover page. Simon is a frequent visitor at the BBC Radio London as a guest, a Guest Presenter and a Co-Presenter.
Simon is known for his spectacular event floristry and theatrical floral demonstrations. As well as the Spirit of Christmas fairs, Simon has frequently demonstrated at Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, as well as the Design Museum, the RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival, the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show, at Royal Ascot Racecourse, the York Bloom Festival, for NAFAS and the British Florists Association. Simon was delighted to be asked to create a spectacular fountain for the inaugural RHS Chatsworth Flower Show. Simon was invited to conduct a series of Masterclasses at the world famous Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia. Simon was also asked to accept a new rose on behalf of the gynaecological charity The Eve Appeal at Gardeners’ World Live.
Simon is a passionate devotee of the New Covent Garden Flower Market and shares images via his social media @SimonLycett helping to raise the profile of British floristry and seasonal flowers. Simon sits on the Flower Market Advisory Committee for New Covent Garden Market. Simon is a member of the RHS Cut Flowers Advisory Group which helps and advises the RHS and impacts its overall activities. His Excellency the Ambassador of the Netherlands, together with The Kingdom of the Netherlands, invited Simon to be one of four people to represent UK floristry at their recent post Brexit Summit. Simon is a member of the Garden Media Guild and Belmond Good Living Experience Maker. Simon published his sixth book ‘The Flower Market Year’ in 2019 and his seventh, ‘People of the Flower Market’ in 2020. He can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Pinterest too.
Simon spent the early part of 2020 in Los Angeles filming the first series of a floristry design show “Full Bloom” for HBO Max and HBO Max Pop featuring 10 of America’s budding florists vying to be voted America’s best, with Simon as serving as Host Judge. Simon spent Spring 2021 working in LA filming the second series. Full Bloom shows in the UK on More 4. Simon is also a guest judge in the eight part series The Big Flower Fight now available on Netflix.
Simon was voted Florist of the Year by New Covent Garden Flower Market in their inaugural awards. Simon had the honour of being awarded Honorary Fellowship status from the Institute of Professional Florists and went to the House of Commons to receive his certificate. Simon J Lycett Ltd is proudly listed at many stunning venues in London and throughout the UK, all of which can be seen upon the website and it enjoys an international reputation for being Europe’s finest floral decorating company.
At RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2022, to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Simon was invited by the RHS to design and create their tribute, a one tonne steel frame supporting 70 pots of Lily Of The Valley given pride of place within the Great Pavilion. It was at this show that Simon was announced by the RHS as their first Ambassador for Floristry and Floral Art.
