CULTURE
THE KING OF ROSES: ERIC BUTERBAUGH REVISITED
It’s a new day for Eric Buterbaugh, the most adored and celebrated florist in town, regardless, which town it may be. Then having added perfume and candle maker to his garden of talent, wit, charm and humor, there’s no stopping this man of many talents. In working with Puig, Eric has retouched his line of scents and rebranded from EB Florals to simply Eric Buterbaugh Los Angeles, because the city of angels is a place he resides and cherish.
Eric is first to admit that he is an accidental florist. Having a sheer flair for making floral arrangements, an innate talent he didn't take very seriously came knocking and knocking and knocking. "Who's there? Your career opportunity!" It became crystal clear that it was an evident occupation he couldn't ignore. Then, another opportunity arose for Eric foraying into making fragrances and candles. It may appear as the natural step for him, and indeed it was, but it also has been a boyhood dream of his, and lucky for us, his scents are gloriously divine and utterly effervescent just like the man himself. Here with, a Q&A with Eric Buterbaugh for delightful reading pleasure.
SunHee Grinnell: Where did you grow up?
Eric Buterbaugh: I grew in Oklahoma. Yee-Haw!
SG: Did you have any siblings?
EB: I have one younger sister...not so close.
SG: Which year was your most memorable birthday growing up?
EB: My most memorable birthday was my 16th. I got my first car, which was an electric blue Firebird with a white leather interior. In Oklahoma, a car gave you freedom.
SG: What was your first love?
EB: My first love was clothes, clothes, and more clothes. What I liked was hard to find in Oklahoma, so racing to Dallas, and Neiman Marcus was a frequent journey. I was into Versace, Armani, Valentino, and Gaultier.
SG: What was your first job?
EB: My first job was in my grandfather's land title company. Not really my jam...it was full nepotism.
SG: When did you fall in love with flowers?
EB: I always loved flowers but fell in love when it became my career.
SG: How did you get your start?
EB: After doing a party, people kept calling and trying to do stuff, and I kept saying NO, I don't do flowers. At some point, I caved and did a couple of things, and each time more people called. So it sort of happened to me. Finally, a light bulb went off, and what it was meant to do found me. When I decided to do flowers, it was so easy. I knew everyone on the planet for years...I knew every movie star, every music star, every studio head, all the social people. So it went quickly.
SG: Which city did you move to realize your dream?
EB: HOLLYWOOD BABY!
SG: When was your "I have arrived" moment?
EB: After six months of having a small design studio in West Hollywood, the Four Seasons Hotel called and asked me to move my shop into their property. It was there for 20 yrs…I think that was the moment I have arrived.
SG: You chose Los Angeles to be your hometown. When did you move there, and what was the allure?
EB: I love living in LA. The weather is amazing, and because of "Hollywood," there is always something going on. I moved here in 1995.
SG: Tell us about your BFF's, Madonna, Demi (Moore), Naomi (Campbell), and Ashley (Longshore), when and how did they meet you?
EB: The thing is everyone makes a big deal out of my glitzy girlfriends, but LA is a small town, and when you are in that crew, you all know each other. I met Naomi when she was 16, and I was running Versace, we've been friends ever since. Actually, she is staying at my house at the moment and usually stays with me when she is in LA. We cook for each other, and it feels very family-like, my daughter. She calls me mama. Demi and I met about 16 years ago and have been close since the day we locked eyes on each other. She really is my straight wife, I love her so much. I love people, and I make friends easily, so I have accumulated the most fabulous crew around the world! I make friends, my family, so it is a big part of my life.
SG: You are known to be brilliantly funny, naughty, and unapologetic. Were you always that way even as a child?
EB: Yes, I was always sassy, and I love fun. As a child, I could get away with anything...I love to LAUGH.
SG: You are indeed one of the most beloved and top of the top floral designers in the world. Can you say it's an innate quality that you were simply born with, or did you have to learn along the way?
EB: I always had an eye for design and color, and I applied it to my flower design, the rest I learned along the way. The other thing is I am intuitive about people's taste and style, so it was easy to design for clients and win. Also, again, the people skills didn't hurt. Everyone likes to laugh.
