When Cindy Hall, AIFD, CF, KMF, owner of Four Season’s Florist in Brookville, Indiana, completed her designs at this year’s Sylvia Cup Design Competition, she was certain she hadn’t won.
Hall was comfortable with the “An Evening at the Copacabana” theme and unfazed when contestants were handed a pineapple midway through the competition to incorporate into their work. But after two hours spent creating a headpiece, memorial piece and centerpiece, her confidence had evaporated.
“I told my husband that my big centerpiece was an epic fail,” she says.
The judges saw it differently. Hall took first place in the 57th annual competition, held during the Society of American Florists’ convention, Aug. 18–20 in Amelia Island, Florida. Her designs featured bold, bright combinations of flowers and fruit accented with candles and floral mesh.
Judge Vonda LaFever, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, says Hall’s work paired a strong command of design principles and mechanics with a thoughtful interpretation of the theme.
“Most importantly, those fundamentals were elevated through creativity and originality,” LaFever says. “The winning design didn’t simply meet the criteria, it brought all of those elements together in a way that felt cohesive, intentional, and memorable.”
Judge Marlin Hargrove, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, was particularly struck by Hall’s memorial piece.
“I was simply captivated by this memorial design,” Hargrove says. “The serenity it offered, created by an innovative approach and clean artistry, gave me a visceral reaction. It welcomed me in and held me there.”
Hall received $3,000, an engraved silver trophy, recognition during the Stars of the Industry Awards Ceremony and complimentary registration for SAF’s 2027 convention, Aug 30-Sept. 1, in Palm Springs, California.
First runner-up Sambath Prom-Chiem, AIFD, of Floral Chateaux in Fallbrook, California, received $500, and second runner-up Alejandro Figueira Fernandes, AIFD, PFCI, of Ornatus Floral Academy in Davie, Florida, received $250. Both also received award plaques and recognition during the ceremony.
Smithers-Oasis sponsored the competition’s prize money and hard goods, Continental Flowers provided the floral products, and FloristWare provided the scoring technology.
When Design Meets Destiny
Hall felt her victory might have been written in the stars: The 57th Sylvia Cup took place on her sister’s 57th birthday — and her sister’s childhood nickname was Sylvia. Before the competition, Hall joked with her that she seemed destined to win.
But Hall’s success was rooted in experience, not serendipity. A veteran floral designer, she has competed for nearly a decade and earned her place in this year’s Sylvia Cup by winning the 2025 Kentucky Florist Design Cup. The Kentucky Florists’ Association, which produces that competition, sponsored her in the Sylvia Cup.
Although Hall didn’t expect to take the top prize, she is thrilled with the honor and plans to continue competing.
“It’s been pretty exciting,” Hall says. “I feel like I’ve won the World Series of floral design.”
Kenya McCullum is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
