Creative director and head designer, Reina E. Sumabat, AIFD, CCF, CFD, is the proud owner of Fitzgerald’s Floral Events, formerly Fitzgerald’s Flowers & Gifts in Downey, California, with husband Ferdinand, since 1990. Now a floral design studio in Artesia, California, they retired the retail part of the business to focus and specialize on weddings and special events.
A certified floral designer (CFD) and an accredited member of the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), Reina was inducted in 2002 in San Diego, California. AIFD is the oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to establishing, maintaining and recognizing the highest standard of professional floral design and education in the floral industry. Reina is also a California Certified Florist, a certification program that recognizes proficiency of professional knowledge and expertise sponsored by the California State Floral Association.
Reina has won several design competitions including a floral magazine’s design contest and won the California State Floral Association’s Top Ten Design Competition and received the People’s Choice Award four years in a row. Since then, she has judged numerous design competitions and designed in several bridal shows. Reina is also a proponent in the floral industry’s continuing education, has held hands-on classes and training for floral designers, professionals and students alike.
After almost 25 years of owning a full service flower shop, Reina did the opposite of what most florists do. She left the retail part of the business so that she can focus more on her creative passion, working on weddings, special events and create pretty things with everything that comes with it, collaborate with other creatives and travel and explore the world in between!