Picking Flowers With Isa Isa
Florist Sophia Moreno-Bunge on the wild inspirations behind her sculptural arrangements.
In this first installment of “Picking Flowers,” a series of interviews with florists and plant enthusiasts, we delve into the world of Sophia Moreno-Bunge, the visionary behind ISA ISA, a Los Angeles-based floral design studio known for its lush, textural arrangements. Sophia crafts her pieces with an eclectic mix of materials—ranging from local weeds and grasses to palm dates and inflorescences, reflecting the vibrant and diverse ecosystem of her surroundings. “Spring is such a beautiful moment in L.A.,” she says, “there is so much around us that is exploding with color and fresh green life.” Her work encapsulates the city's palette, utilizing unexpected elements to mirror the spontaneous beauty of the natural world. In the following interview, Sophia shares her earliest floral memories and sources of inspiration, illustrating how her surroundings shape her unique aesthetic.
What are your earliest memories of plants and flowers?
My earliest memories of flowers revolve around my dad who is also a plant lover. I grew up going on hikes with him in California and Argentina; he would point out his favorite plants, advising me on what’s edible, smelling everything, all the while picking little mini bouquets. I also have memories in the garden, weeding with my grandmother, and buying fragrant $2 posies of gardenia on the street corners of Buenos Aires, where my family is from—there are flower stands all over the city. To me, the smell of gardenia is iconic to Buenos Aires.
How did you get into floral arranging?
I was living in NYC and had been studying photography and a bit of sculpture. I was fascinated by plants and flowers, and was missing nature while living in the city, and ended up discovering a sculptor-turned-florist whose work I loved: Emily Thompson. I ended up working for her for a few years, and I immediately fell in love with the work.
What do you look to for inspiration?
Really too many inspirations to name, but some at the top of the list: Seascapes—both underwater and the shoreline landscapes. The Argentine and Uruguayan landscapes I grew up around: wild, immense landscapes, the insane scale of grasses and Patagonian Araucaria trees and mountains. I’ve been very inspired by the colors and color-blocked compositions of Etel Adnan, and her detailed approach (also her poetry!). Ana Mendieta works—many of which she created outside. The colors, composition and wildness of Cy Twombly paintings. Travel has always been a source of inspiration, but exploring my interior world has also been huge for me in terms of personal growth and exploration, which has impacted my work and the world of ISA ISA.
How is Los Angeles itself featured in your arrangements?
I’m very inspired by the mix of tropical, ocean and desert elements here. The vibrant colors of flowering South American trees—like the purple orchid tree and pink trumpet tree—the overgrown peach and yellow brugmansia bushes, and vibrant garden roses, juxtaposed with the dry golden palettes of the desert and its tumbleweeds and grasses. I have fallen in love with the palm landscape and creating with all the parts of the palm, from its graphic leaves to its dates, and lavender sea-creature-like inflorescences. Citrus and passionflower vine, which grow abundantly, have always been featured in our arrangements. Despite being an arid landscape, there is so much growing here and so much to draw inspiration from. The other day, while exiting off the freeway in Boyle Heights, I was stopped in my tracks by a patch of deep-berry colored hollyhocks, a lush and towering six-feet of incredible blooms, against a backdrop of downtown buildings. It’s this sort of thing that I love about L.A.
What kinds of plants are you working with currently?
Lush wild spring arrangements using local grasses, green fig on the branch, gloriosa lilies, martagon lilies, sweet pea vine, orchids, green allium, hollyhock and dogwood are my current favorites. I love ordering gardenias from a local gardenia grower, especially in spring. From my garden: stephanotis vine, roses, orchids and scented geranium, among many others.
How do you hope people feel about your work?
I’m motivated to really make people feel transported, inspired by the small wonders of nature, and a bit taken care of, really. From using materials that are scented and soothing (like geranium and jasmine) to materials that are impactful in scale (like explosions of wild mustard and whimsical grasses) to the use of edible elements (like citrus and loquats), delighting all the senses.
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