“Blooming”: search of oneself with Black Fleuriste

“Blooming” is a state of mind — a way of thinking, a way of living. How far are you willing to go in pursuit of your goals? That’s when blooming happens: when your desire for more becomes so strong that you start to question yourself. Are our goals the true maestros of our lives — shaping the way we move, to the point where we adjust our environment, and the people around us must adjust too? Blooming.

Those were the thoughts running through my mind after speaking with Black Fleuriste.

Designer, rapper, and now photographer, Melvin Djodji-Jones — known as Black Fleuriste — uses every medium he can to immerse us in his world. Having left his home country of Gabon, and now based in Dakar, Senegal, Black Fleuriste, “guided by God” and his dreams, opens himself up to us.

Melvin, can you take us back to the roots - how did Black Fleuriste come to life?

BF: It’s all started when I started rapping in Gabon.

We’re all florists. I believe everyone is a florist. Because God planted something inside each of us — something different in each person. It’s like a seed, a plant that God placed in you. And it’s up to you to nurture it over time, to water it so it can grow.

The influence that your plant will have — and maybe it’ll become a tree — depends on the experiences you go through in life. That tree could grow into a great oak, or that flower could wither and die, because you let yourself die inside or made the wrong choices.

Honestly, that’s really what it is: you’re watering what’s inside of you. So yeah, everyone is the florist of their own life. Everyone has a flower within them, and they have the right — no, the responsibility — to water it, to give it the energy and influence it needs.

It’s spiritual too, you know? It’s like saying: Yeah, I’m the florist of my own life.

And in the end, I added “Black” because I love everything that’s Black. I’m Black, and I feel a kind of purity in darkness. Black, to me, is something pure.

NM: Pier Paolo Piccioli once said that Black isn’t just a color — it’s a state of mind.

BF: Yeah, that’s why I added “Black.”

You just released a collection with Atelier Fleuriste, which is your second collection with your label. Describe us your collection and what inspired you.

BF: You know, when I start working on a collection, I always begin with what I’m going through in life. It all starts with the energy — the vibrations, you feel me? How I’m feeling at that moment. The challenges I’m facing. That’s what guides me first.

Because for me, fashion is, above all, the expression of an emotion. It’s a message you’re trying to send through clothing. It’s an energy. A vision.

Even though there’s the aesthetic side — like yeah, it has to look good on you…

NM: The aesthetic, yeah.

BF: Of course. But it goes deeper than that. I don’t know if you saw, but I tweeted once that fashion is spiritual too. Once I’ve tapped into that core — that feeling — I can start building around it.

For example, Blooming was really centered on the idea of emancipation. Growing, opening up, no matter what life throws at you.

And 2024… it wasn’t easy. I went through a lot of betrayal. People around me who were just there to drain my energy. There was jealousy too. Guys I saw as brothers, but who deep down were envious.

I was engaged. I lived with my girlfriend. We broke up. We were in two completely different phases of life. I was still in the middle of figuring things out, still building. She expected a certain kind of stability — for me to get a job, settle down… But I was constantly chasing my dreams. That created a distance between us, and eventually, it led to the breakup.

I also found a lot of spiritual clarity through my family, which helped me take my own path after that.

I really wasn’t trying to please anyone around me. For me, it doesn’t make sense to build your life based on other people’s expectations.

So yeah, we broke up. And all of that — it fed into Blooming.

Because Blooming is exactly that: a journey of self-discovery. Growing through hardship, continuing to believe in what you’re trying to build, even when you lose people, lose opportunities, even when life hits you hard.

I could’ve taken the easy way out. Gone back to Gabon, taken a small job, earned a civil servant salary, lived a calm life. But I gave that up because I know deep down, that’s not what I truly want.

Blooming is about evolving through struggle. I didn’t think we’d break up — I really thought I’d found some stability. But life had other plans. And despite it all, I keep going. That’s the real message.

Then I had to translate all of that into the pieces. I started with the core looks. Classic denim sets — but with modern cuts. A flared pant, and a slightly cropped denim jacket.

I wanted to modernize it while keeping the spirit of vintage flare silhouettes. But done Fleuriste-style — with little lace details. I love lace. It’s one of my favorite design elements. So I added floral lace to bring that chic touch.

You can wear these pieces to parties, events — but also on a daily basis. And the second part, which I’ll drop soon, is more casual. There’ll even be shorts. But it’ll keep the same vibe. You’ll see.

NM: You told me the first part of the collection was the Left Bank, right?

BF: Yeah. I dropped the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). And soon I’ll release the Right Bank (Rive Droite). The first part, that I just release, is called “Deliverance” and the second is “Sanctification”.

NM: I was telling Pierre-André that your lace motif could be applied everywhere. It reminded me of Chrome Hearts with their leather patches.

BF: The crosses, right? Yeah! They put them on everything.

Once you start establishing your identity, you can place it everywhere. It becomes your signature. The thing people instantly recognize in your collections. That’s how you define your style.

And honestly, this second part… it’s gonna hit hard.

JP: I want to talk about how much importance you give to writing. Your posts are often followed by deep reflections — sometimes I even have to Google certain terms! So here’s my question:

Since when have you had such a strong interest in writing, and why?

BF: Since the school days… You know, I went to Gros Bouquet 1 (Elementary school). Over there, they had the BCD — the library. You could borrow books and return them the next week, yeah… So that was my first real contact with reading.

After that, I’ve always been a very curious person. I liked stories — but not just stories. At the BCD, I wasn’t really into books like Titeuf or comic books, I was more into World Records books, you see? Books that were a bit different from what everyone else was reading.

Also, my dad is someone who’s very cultured — we had books at home, and all that. The first book I really understood and absorbed the message from was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. And man… it hit me hard.

After that, since I rap too, my approach to writing became pretty natural. I developed this thing where I just write what I think, spontaneously […]. And honestly, I think that’s the best way to get a message across, you know? When you write, the reader interprets it in their own way, with their own sensitivity — it helps them develop their critical thinking.

So yeah, that’s why I love reading and writing, and all of that.

NM: We’re getting close to the end… Tell me, how would you wrap this up? Any final words?

I’ve got one last question to close it out properly.

What’s your biggest goal in life? Or even your mission as a designer?

BF: You see, I’m really in the mindset of making my mark on my era — of leaving a trace of my time on Earth... Especially in my field, which is fashion. [...] I’m really trying to be someone who opens doors, even for those who’ll come after me, you get it? So that tomorrow, or the day after… whoever enters this field can be inspired by what I left behind, by what I tried to do.

Yeah, that’s really my goal: to contribute something meaningful as a Gabonese, as an African. And then… God willing, build a beautiful little family, you know, live in abundance. Fulfill my life’s mission, while still remaining a good man.