Beyond the Bio: Ellie Grande AIFD, CFD, EMC
It’s always fun to know a little more about the Texas State Florists' Association's amazing presenters than what their bios reveal. In this new series of feature articles, TSFA takes you beyond the bio and shares just a little bit more about each of those who will add to your layers of learning throughout the year!
Meet Elli Grande AIFD, CFD, EMC
Ellie Grande has owned GranDesign Studio in Tomball for more than a decade and is a floral educator and instructor, specializing in European-style design workshops. She was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2020 and earned her European Master Certification in 2022. She was a Philadelphia Flower Show Master Designer from 2014 to 2023, First Place winner of the Latin American Cup at the AIFD Latin American Society in 2025, First Place winner of Bridal Bouquet at the Florida State Florists’ Association in 2023, First Place winner of Found and Forge at the Northern AIFD Chapter in 2025 and an International Floral Demonstrator at the Singapore Garden Festival in 2024. She has been published in TEXAS in Bloom, AIFD Focal Points and the AIFD Foundation Just Make It Pretty flip book. Grande has been a member of the AIFD South Central Chapter Board of Directors since 2023 and served on the AIFD South Central Chapter Social Media Committee from 2020 to 2024.
What is your first memory of flowers?
I vividly recall the mornings, when the soil was saturated with dew and the cotton plants were abundantly fragrant.
What experiences led to your interest in the floral Industry?
My journey into the floral industry was a gradual process, shaped by a unique collection of meaningful moments rather than a single event. My passion for flowers and aesthetics was nurtured by childhood gardening and local traditions. In my early childhood, I volunteered to assist in decorating our local church, where we crafted paper flowers using copper wire and colorful paper. This experience taught me how to connect with human emotions through the blooms, and it ignited a passion that led me to pursue a career in the floral industry.
What contributed most to your design education?
My journey into the floral industry was a gradual process, shaped by a unique collection of meaningful moments rather than a single event. My passion for flowers and aesthetics was nurtured by childhood gardening and local traditions. In my early childhood, I volunteered to assist in decorating our local church, where we crafted paper flowers using copper wire and colorful paper. This experience taught me how to connect with human emotions through the blooms, and it ignited a passion that led me to pursue a career in the floral industry.
Your career has taken you on quite the journey. Was there a one or more moments that changed your path to lead you to where you are today?
I experienced a need for validation and the desire to obtain AIFD credentials. I felt that this achievement would validate my floral talents and skills that I had honed over the years. This shift is about acquiring credentials, and it is the “hard reset” that AIFD serves as a bridge that enables me to carry over my past experiences while demonstrating that I possess the new skills necessary to enhance my professional value.
What do you predict to be the greatest constant and the greatest change in floral design as our industry moves forward?
As the floral industry evolves, the most notable transformation is the imperative shift toward eco-conscious sustainability. This entails adapting foam-free mechanisms and sourcing locally to align with consumer demand. Furthermore, the future trend lies in the emotional connection between artistry and consumers. The design shift is moving towards organic, foraged and untamed styles that emphasize movement and, occasionally, a bold, theatrical and moody aesthetic. The greatest constant will remain the deep, emotional connection flowers provide in human culture, while one future trend is the emotional connection in artistry.
What led you to the idea of the presentation that will be shared during the Texas Floral Expo?
Deeply embedding a presentation within the cultural tapestry of the Texas Floral Expo draws inspiration from the profound and multi-layered relationship between the state’s diverse ecosystem and the individuals who shaped its history. This concept emerges from several key pillars of Texas heritage and identity. Notably, it encompasses the indigenous stewardship of the people in Texas and their intricate relationship with native plants. By examining these connections, the presentation transcends mere botany to explore how the land itself has woven together the narratives of those who call Texas home.
Your global experiences contribute to all you do, how do you feel the experiences have prepared you for the opportunity to share with others?
Deeply embedding a presentation within the cultural tapestry of the Texas Floral Expo draws inspiration from the profound and multi-layered relationship between the state’s diverse ecosystem and the individuals who shaped its history. This concept emerges from several key pillars of Texas heritage and identity. Notably, it encompasses the indigenous stewardship of the people in Texas and their intricate relationship with native plants. By examining these connections, the presentation transcends mere botany to explore how the land itself has woven together the narratives of those who call Texas home.
Texas Floral Expo
Registration is open for the Texas Floral Expo! Join your floral family at the Embassy Suites San Marcos on June 19-21. At this conference, industry-leading presenters will share the latest tips and trends in multiple demonstrations, business sessions and hands-on workshops.
Don't miss these sessions presented by Ellie Grande AIFD, CFD, EMC!
Friday, June 19, 7-10 p.m. — Deeply Rooted: Weaving the Cultural Tapestry of Texas Floral
Texas is more than a landscape; it is a living mosaic. Join us to explore the breathtaking intersection of native Texas botanicals and the diverse cultures that shaped the Lone Star State.
From the indigenous wisdom of the Native Americans and the sun-drenched elegance of Spanish missions to the refined traditions brought across the Atlantic by European settlers, this floral journey honors the past while celebrating the wild, resilient beauty of the present. Demonstrating various floral compositions in this program, we will weave together:
Native Echoes with the raw, sculptural textures of the high plains and deserts; Spanish Shadows with bold colors and architectural forms inspired by Mediterranean heritage; and Old-World Influence filled with romantic, nostalgic blooms that tell the story of the Texas homestead.
Underwritten by Texas Floral Education Underwriters.
Sunday, June 21, 8-10 a.m. — The Sculpted Stem: A Master Class Where Floral Design Meets Wearable Art
BLOOM with Ellie Grande AIFD, CFD, EMC!
This immersive workshop is designed to bridge the gap between traditional floral design and the sophisticated realm of wearable art. Developed for creative designers who love both nature and adornments, this innovative workshop explores ways to manipulate structural wire, utilize botanical materials and incorporate unique findings as you craft high-fashion, nature-inspired jewelry. Gain hands-on experience with a variety of new techniques while designing a one-of-a-kind floral wearable. Whether you are a florist looking to expand your portfolio or a jewelry maker wanting to explore organic textures, this session will transform how you see, shape and wear flowers. By the end of the workshop, you will walk away with a custom-crafted adornment — be it a floral necklace, floral cuff or botanical statement — that captures the ephemeral beauty of the garden in a permanent, artistic form.
Add this optional workshop to your registration for an additional fee.
Underwritten by Texas Floral Education Underwriters.
