Meet Audrey Hilfiger of Silverlake!

Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Hilfiger.

Hi Audrey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started Audrey in the Garden about four years ago out of a deep love for nature, storytelling, and emotional connection. I’ve always been drawn to flowers—not just as objects of beauty, but as vessels of meaning. What began as a personal creative outlet grew slowly and organically into a full-service floral design company. I built it from the ground up, often quite literally—driving my van at 5 AM to the flower market, creating arrangements by hand, and learning every facet of the business along the way.

Over the years, the business has evolved into something much bigger than I imagined. We now work bi-coastally between New York and Los Angeles, designing florals for everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale events, installations, and brand activations. I’ve had the chance to work with some truly inspiring clients and collaborators, and I’ve built a team I deeply care about—people who are passionate, grounded, and truly invested in what we do.

It hasn’t always been easy—being a small business owner means wearing many hats and navigating challenges constantly—but I’ve learned that staying true to my values and leading with heart always points me in the right direction. At its core, Audrey in the Garden is about beauty, care, and connection—and I feel really lucky to wake up and do this work every day.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road—but I don’t think I’d want it to be. Building a small business, especially in a creative industry, comes with a unique set of challenges. In the early days, I was doing everything myself—flower sourcing, design, deliveries, emails, accounting—you name it. There were moments of burnout, financial uncertainty, and growing pains as I figured out how to turn something I loved into something sustainable.

One of the harder lessons has been around people—learning how to build a team, how to lead, how to handle disappointment when things don’t work out. Letting go of employees, navigating tricky client situations, and setting boundaries to protect the heart of my business have all been part of the journey.

I also live with an autoimmune condition, which means I’ve had to learn how to work with my body instead of against it. That’s forced me to slow down, listen more deeply, and redefine what success looks like—not just in business, but in life.

But every challenge has shaped me into a better leader, artist, and human. The road’s been bumpy, but I’m proud of how far it’s taken me—and I’m even more excited about what’s ahead.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Audrey in the Garden is a full-service floral design studio specializing in immersive, emotional, and often unexpected floral experiences. We work on everything from weddings and intimate gatherings to large-scale installations, brand activations, and weekly floral accounts. What ties all our work together is a deep reverence for nature, storytelling, and human connection.

We’re known for a wild yet refined aesthetic—layered textures, sculptural forms, and florals that feel like they’re still growing in a garden somewhere. Clients often come to us because they want something that feels alive, meaningful, and personal. I think our work resonates because it’s never cookie-cutter—it’s always bespoke, always heart-forward.

What sets us apart is our ability to fuse artistic vision with logistical clarity. We don’t just drop off flowers—we build environments. We work collaboratively with event planners, creative directors, and clients to bring ideas to life in a way that’s thoughtful, seamless, and beautiful down to the last detail.

I’m most proud of the emotional impact our work has. When someone walks into a space we’ve created and feels something—that’s everything to me. Whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or wonder, flowers have this incredible ability to hold space for emotion, and it’s a privilege to work with that kind of medium every day.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I consider myself incredibly lucky. So many moments in my journey have felt like beautiful accidents or doors opening at exactly the right time. Whether it was stumbling upon the perfect studio space, meeting a client who changed the course of my business, or finding team members who feel like soul family—it often feels like the universe has placed the right people and opportunities in my path when I needed them most.

Even the early days, when things were scrappy and uncertain, were filled with small bursts of good fortune: a florist sharing extra flowers with me at the market, a friend recommending me for a job I never would’ve found on my own, a chance encounter that turned into a long-term partnership. Those moments have shaped everything.

I also feel lucky to do what I love. To wake up and work with flowers, with beauty, with intention—that in itself is a gift. Of course, I work hard. But I know a lot of people work hard. I’m just really lucky that the right people, places, and moments have met me halfway.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.audreyinthegarden.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audreyinthegarden?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr