RION DESIGNS‘ UNICORN | LYGIA MATIAS
Unicorns are a rare find these days, but we actually have one on our team: Lygia Matias. She’s a one-of-a-kind, master of all, super experienced, organized and beautiful - inside and out. And we don’t know how we’d do what we do without her.
Lygia is our Production and Floral Manager and assumes many roles here at Rion. Her love of people, systems, flowers, design, mechanics and seeing an event from start to finish makes her an asset to our team - and our clients.
CHALK IT UP TO EXPERIENCE
Lygia needed a job. When a floral assistant position came available in NYC she took it - even though she had no experience and was allergic to flowers. Her manager saw her potential and encouraged her to start learning how to make arrangements. Although Lygia insisted she didn’t have the experience or talent her manager connected her with another florist who had daily restaurant accounts. Lygia, being new to the area, had no idea that being a florist affiliated with Eleven Madison Park would help build her resume. Needing a full-time position she transitioned to a custom-only floral shop in the West Village in Manhattan. Here is where Lygia blossomed - literally. Working with extremely high quality flowers she learned in depth about color, texture, cutting, arranging and a plethora of valuable techniques. She was soon asked to run their new location in Westport, CT. When the market crashed in 2008 she moved to a start up floral business and after two years was running that, too.
When her husband, Adna, got a job in Washington DC, Lygia followed and began working at an event company where she continued to focus on florals but began learning about the event production side of things, too. When they relocated again, this time to TX, Lygia worked at a very prominent event company as the floral lead and assisted the Production Manager. Yet another move brought them to Napa and voila - Lygia connected with Rion Designs - and we couldn’t be happier.
PRODUCTION + FLORALS
What exactly is ‘production’ when it comes to event design? It’s ensuring the vision of the client and Lindsey’s creative direction come to fruition - and that’s where Lygia comes in.
PRODUCTION
In a nutshell, Lygia makes certain that everything is planned and accounted for an event prior to leaving our warehouse. That includes any custom builds, custom sews, painting, purchase orders, buying warehouse supplies, sourcing materials and interacting with our vendors. She also oversees our Accessories area purchasing and managing items such as candle wax, vases, decor, pillows and linens.
FLORAL
It all starts with an inspiration image or rendering that Lindsey has designed and the client has approved. Lygia must then create a ‘recipe’ for the florals needed. This means calculating how many of each flower variety is needed, placing an order with the floral mart (or going there in person to choose), processing them upon receipt so they stay hydrated and are long-lasting, creating a sample design for Lindsey to approve and then giving direction to her team to execute. In addition, along with our team, she designs the mechanics for specialty florals that will be adhered or hung from a ceiling, arch, wall or fixture. Every detail must be thought through to ensure the florals have a successful transit, installation and look incredible throughout the event.
A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING
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EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE
Personally and professionally Lygia has a thing for organization. If you ask her what heaven looks like she says the Container Store. That trait helps her to keep the large and varied inventory of Rion Designs orderly, efficient and tidy. From large bars and sofas to the tiniest of floral vases Lygia knows where it is, when it’s scheduled to go out for an event, when it’s returned, how it’s cleaned and cared for and then ensures it’s put right back where it belongs.
Lygia hails from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her event career began just after a move to New York City, where she gained a plethora of experiences with several top event design agencies. Her talents stretch beyond the operations of an event as she is also a skilled florist, event designer and has a brain for the most complex of logistics! Lygia has landed in Napa and does not plan on leaving anytime soon. Happily married for 17 years, Lygia and her husband enjoy quiet weekends and playing in the parks with their “fur baby”.