The Society of American Florists’ membership includes all segments of the industry — and that community is the heart of SAF. This bi-weekly feature will spotlight SAF members sharing inspirational stories, professional insights, and the opportunity to form new industry connections.
Marcela López-Vallejo, AIFD, PFCI, of P&F Flower Farms, has more than 20 years of experience in the floral industry as a designer, shop owner, event manager, lead product developer, and educator. In 2015, she was awarded “South Carolina Designer of the Year” and, in 2020, López-Vallejo’s work was chosen to be part of “Artistic Floral Design 2020,” a book that brings together some of today’s most inspirational and creative floral creations from AIFD designers around the world. She is also the 2021 S.H.I.N.E. Scholarship recipient from the AIFD Foundation.
In pursuit of expanding the floral industry, López-Vallejo collaborates with Smithers-Oasis Mexico and Latin America as a Design Director, is the chair of AIFD’s International Committee and secretary of AIFD’s Southern Chapter. She is the head designer at P&F Flower Farms where she creates floral programs for mass market customers using Costa Rican grown products — both highland and tropical flowers and exotic foliage.
López-Vallejo was born and raised in Costa Rica, and while P&F Flower Farms is based in Costa Rica, she now lives in Irmo, South Carolina. Her job at P&F Flower Farms allows her to visit family in Costa Rica often, promote Costa Rican products and maintain many work connections back home.
López-Vallejo says her favorite thing about being an SAF member is the possibility of understanding and learning about the floral industry as a whole, not just from a floral design perspective.
López-Vallejo was also featured on SAF’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Do you know a member who should have a chance in the spotlight? Email Stephanie Brady, communications and event coordinator for SAF.
Stephanie Brady is the communications and event coordinator for the Society of American Florists.
