A conversation about running, creativity and what happens when the two meet.
Fernanda Navarro is a full-time floral designer and the founder of Studio Vizcaino 361. Running through Vancouver has become part of her creative process. While outside, she notices gardens, grasses and changing colours that later find their way into what she creates.
Now she's growing her studio while training for her first marathon in honour of her aunt. We spoke with Fernanda about going from chasing an Olympic dream in the pool to finding her own reasons to run, building a studio of her own and how taking the scenic route connects it all.
Competitive swimming was a big part of your life growing up. When you started running in 2024, you didn't expect to enjoy it. What was it about running that won you over?
I think being around nature was the biggest thing that made me enjoy running. Fashion is huge for me, and being able to express that side of myself through the sport also motivated me to stick with it, especially since it meant I could get new outfits. Also, with running I no longer have the pressure of having to perform at a certain level, taking the expectations I had for myself, and others had for me, out of the sport. And, I mean, not having to constantly hold my breath was also amazing.
“I think being around nature was the biggest thing that made me enjoy running.”
Swimming kept you in one lane, while running gave you a whole city to explore. What did that freedom feel like?
It was incredible. Not having to stare at that black line at the bottom of the pool for 3 hours every day was life-changing. The freedom to choose my own routes and explore the city in a different way definitely opened my eyes to approach running differently. Being able to see something new on every route while working out is so inspiring, and I mean in Vancouver… I can't complain.
You recently started Studio Vizcaino 361 while working full-time as a floral designer. What made you decide it was time to start something of your own?
I always had inspiration from my mom. She has been a business owner throughout my life and has always balanced being a mom, an athlete, and running multiple businesses at different life stages. We actually started a ceramics business together in 2022 while I was studying at UBC. This gave me an idea of what it was like to start a business while doing something full-time which definitely made it easier for me when I decided to start Studio Vizcaino 361. The main reason I decided to start my own studio was to create something that feels like my truest self in floral form. It allows me to showcase and challenge my own creativity and people get to take a piece of this and enjoy it.
“The main reason I decided to start my own studio was to create something that feels like my truest self in floral form. It allows me to showcase and challenge my own creativity.”
The studio is named after your great-grandmother's street and house number in Mexico. Why was it important to carry that part of home into what you're creating now?
I think it was so important to me to carry that part of her and her home into Studio Vizcaino 361 because she showed me to care for nature and for people. These are two essential components in the floral industry and should be in every industry. In floral design it is so important to care for nature; otherwise, we would be out of business, but also to truly care about people. Flowers are there in people's happiest moments and people's saddest moments, and my great-grandma was there for every single one of those moments for me and for everyone in my family.
When you begin an arrangement, how much is planned and how much takes shape as you work?
I would say most of the time it takes shape as I work. I love to go by feeling and just adding where it feels right. There is a lot of planning in my head, but none of it is concrete. As a floral designer, I constantly think about colour palettes, paying super close attention to people's gardens and drawing inspiration from the landscapes around me. Ideas are constantly flowing in my mind, so when I see a flower or green that reminds me of something I saw, I build on it and give it my own spin. But yeah, some of my best work has been through no planning, just taking shape as I work.
What's most likely to pull you off your planned run, would it be an interesting garden, a good view or somewhere to get a snack?
It's always an interesting flower or green. I will literally stop in my tracks; even if it is a tempo run, I will stop my Garmin to get a closer look and take a picture. If I am running with my brother, it usually drives him nuts, but I have to do what I have to do. Food is always a good excuse to end a run too. I am a sucker for a coffee and a pastry after a long run.
If one of your recent runs were a floral arrangement, what would it look like?
Omg I love this question. I think it would be an arrangement that has a lot of movement, vibrant colours, and airiness. I have been doing lots of long runs with tempo (very hard), so definitely movement to represent motion, the vibrant colours to demonstrate the passion and the electricity of the run, and the airiness to showcase the speed and lightness on my feet. The colours will probably be influenced by the outfits I am wearing. And there would be lots of greenery, as I've been finding lots of inspiration in just grassy landscapes. That would be the scope of the arrangement.
Vancouver can give you pavement, gravel and rain before you make it home. Do you choose your run before leaving, or figure it out once you're out there?
I do choose my run before leaving. I am someone who likes some structure in my life, so there is planning when it comes to my routes. But I have taken alternate routes before, exploring the various terrains that Vancouver has to offer. I will say that the gravel paths are always the tough ones for me. Salomon Gravel line, it will definitely make my life easier.
You're training for your first marathon in honour of your aunt. What part of her will you carry with you that day?
I will carry her relentless spirit and her bright smile despite the physical and mental pain. My aunt was also a runner, so she definitely inspires me even more to do this in her honour. This is my way of thanking her for the mark that she left in my life. She was amazing, truly one of the best people I have met.
If the 14-year-old version of you, who wanted to swim in the Olympics, met the runner and florist you are today, what would surprise her most?
I think it will surprise her that there is more out there than swimming. For me, throughout my swimming career, going to the Olympics was my only goal, and if it didn't happen, it would devastate me. But I think she would be super happy to see how much I can love another sport without the pressure of having a big goal that defines me. In terms of being a florist, she would be very relieved that we found a creative career path. Since I was a kid I have always been creative, but never really considered something creative as a career as an option. So, she would be very happy that we are doing the two things we love: being creative and being active.
