An innovator, creator and entrepreneur, Seema Bansal Chadha is redefining all the rules of the floral industry. Upon founding Venus ET Fleur, what is now a famous florist brand, Seema Bansal and her husband revolutionized the billion-dollar floral business by introducing a concept that had never been seen before. Venus ET Fleur stunning arrangements last one year in mint condition. It truly paints Seema as a visionary and a master of her craft.
As the season of love and gifting is upon us, Venus ET Fleur is truly leading the pack for all things Valentine’s Day. Seema sits down with Harper’s Bazaar and opens up about her creative process, expansion plans, and what sets Venus ET Fleur apart as the ultimate choice for all things flowers.
Shirt, Tako Mekvabidze; TATA PR. Shoes, Femme. Earrings, David Yurman. Necklace, Camilla Seretti. Tights, Wolford
Shirt, Tako Mekvabidze; TATA PR. Shoes, Femme. Earrings, David Yurman. Necklace, Camilla Seretti. Tights, Wolford
On love and balance
More than just a beautiful entrepreneur, Seema is also an elegant lady with a love for fashion. When asked how to describe her sense of style, Seema replies, “I would say my sense of style is functional elegance. I love dressing up, learning about new designers, and really expressing myself through fashion, but at the end of the day, I always want to be comfortable.” Seema further says, “I love fashion and having fun with trends however I invest in pieces that are forever timeless and will always be in style”.
Hermès is without a doubt her favorite brand and seeks inspiration from. “The timeless pieces and elegance are something we admire at Venus ET Fleur. Like Hermes, we allow the quality of our product and our brand ethos to speak for itself”, she says.
Shirt, Tako Mekvabidze; TATA PR. Shoes, Femme. Earrings, David Yurman. Necklace, Camilla Seretti. Tights, Wolford
As an entrepreneur, creator and innovator, Seema is always busy nurturing and growing her brand. “It’s a never-ending process and we are always updating,” she says about Venus ET Fleur, her billion-dollar ‘baby’. However, as busy as she is, Seema always tries to maintain herself grounded and balance to keep her creativity flows. “I do think just carving out time for yourself is a way to keep you grounded and balanced. Even if it is just 15 minutes in the middle of the day, taking that time to yourself is so important. Writing in my journal, moving my body, eating clean nourishing food and daily affirmations of gratitude play a large role in keeping me balanced”.
“I talk to myself as if I am my own best friend and try to treat myself and others around me with the same grace and respect”.
Dress, Dolce & Gabbana. Tights, Wolfold. Shoes, Femme. Earrings, Adiba. Rings, Anne Sisteron
Venus ET Fleur: Luxury meets romance
Timeless, elegance, grace, are some words used to describe Seema Bansal. And these descriptions are reflected in her business. Venus ET Fleur, the brand she co-created with her husband, is all about creating that luxury gift experience.
“We wanted to create a product line and service that had not been done before that was a symbol of luxury and quality but we didn’t realize how big of an impact it would have on the gifting and floral industry as a whole. It’s incredible to see how global the brand has become, and our original concept has gone. We are grateful every day that we get to do something we truly enjoy.”
Shorts+Blazer, Anouki; TATA PR. Tights, Zara. Shoes, Jimmy Choo. Earrings, Camilla Seretti. Ring, David Yurman
Venus ET Fleur is a bespoke rose atelier. Their special roses last for a full year. Not only that, each of their arrangement is also chic and with a sense of customization. Their bouquets are lush yet comforting.
Speaking about Venus ET Fleur’s creative direction, Seema Bansal says, “We seek inspiration from anywhere and everywhere and I would also credit our amazing creative and product development team who continues to push boundaries and come up with never-before-seen ideas on how to evolve the brand.”
On top of that, as a first-generation Asian-American, Seema always finds Asia as an inspiration. “I am grateful that my parents passed on [their south-Asian] traditions and values that, not only shaped my values but also Venus ET Fleur’s values and creativity every single day. I find that I am always very inspired when I visit any part of Asia. On my last trip to Asia, I visited Japan and found myself feeling constantly in constant awe surroundings. I carried my notebook and would draw inspiration from the people, the culture and the architecture.”
Shorts+Blazer, Anouki; TATA PR. Tights, Zara. Shoes, Jimmy Choo. Earrings, Camilla Seretti. Ring, David Yurman
Seema’s tips for a successful Valentine day
“Venus is truly the goddess and embodiment of love. Our story was derived from a Valentine’s Day gift, so we really felt that our whole mission was centered around having a physical arrangement that allowed people to really feel and experience the love of Venus.”
Venus ET Fleur is a frontrunner during Valentine’s Day. At Venus ET Fleur, Valentine is not just a day, but it’s a real celebration of everlasting love. “For your forever Valentine” is the tagline on their website for this season.
What are Seema’s best tips and tricks for preparing for a successful Valentine’s Day and making the people in her life feel loved and special?
After a quick thought, the Asian-American entrepreneur replies, “This is a hard question to answer because it is so personal and individualized. I think having a successful Valentine’s day is less about the gifts and the material aspect of the holiday, but rather understanding your partner’s values and what they consider as a ‘successful Valentines day’. This might be a glamorous night on the town, or takeout from your favorite restaurant. In my opinion, a simple handwritten note goes a long way, but I think flowers are such a classic gesture of love and appreciation and I of course think Venus ET Fleur arrangements are the best of the best”.
Dress, Selezza London ; TATA PR. Jacket, LIYA; TATA PR. Shoes, Attico. Earrings, Nickho Rey. Socks, H&M. Rings, Mindi Mond.
Dress, Selezza London ; TATA PR. Jacket, LIYA; TATA PR. Shoes, Attico. Earrings, Nickho Rey. Socks, H&M. Rings, Mindi Mond.
Even though 2022 just starting, Seema Bansal and her Venus ET Fleur team already spent a lot of time planning new incredible products in many categories. “Expect to see more florals, scents, along with a few more shop openings so the world can experience Venus ET Fleur. We’re excited to continue to grow the company and bring more beauty into the world”, excitedly shared Seema.
Pants +Blazer, Dulce Bestia. Shoes, Jimmy Choo. Necklace + Earrings + Rings, David Yurman.
Pants +Blazer, Dulce Bestia. Shoes, Jimmy Choo. Necklace + Earrings + Rings, David Yurman.
**Production Credits**
Muse: Seema Bansal Chadha @seemabansalchadha
Photographer & Creative Director: Veronica Sams @veronicasams
Production: Emily Blair Media @emilyblairmedia / Emily Blair Marcus @emilyblairmarcus
EnWardrobe Stylist: Avantika Nehru @missavanu
Hair Stylist: Ashlee Jayne @ashlee_jayne
Makeup Artist: Marine Muradyan @makeupbymarine
Production Assistant: Hannah Selesnick @hannahselesnick
Styling Assistant: Kaylee Mischele @kayleemischele
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
