Whitney Bromberg Hawkings, the founder and CEO of Flowerbx, began her career in fashion, and spent nearly 20 years working alongside Tom Ford. In 2016, she invoked her extensive knowledge of the industry—and her fabulous taste—when creating Flowerbx, the first global luxury flower brand. Her friend Daisy Knatchbull, the fashion designer and founder of Knatchbull, joined her for lunch.
Whitney, what are the key elements for a successful long lunch?
For me, it’s not too long! While I love to linger endlessly over dinner and one-too-many glasses of red, the best lunches for me are delicious, intimate and efficient. I’m a working girl, after all.
What do you value most in a lunch companion?
I love a lunch companion with a shared agenda who matches my energy and conversational appetite for intellect, gossip, humour and style.
What did you eat and drink today?
Pan-Seared Lemon Sole, Shrimp and Caper Butter and a side of steamed spinach, along with a glass of sparkling water with lime.
What is the best advice—restaurant or otherwise—you have ever received?
Comparison is the thief of joy.
What are you working on at the moment?
We have just opened our first standalone flagship in Mayfair and launched FLOWERBX UAE to great excitement, so these milestone moments are keeping us busy!
WHITNEY’S DOSSIER
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas.
Neighbourhood: Chelsea.
“Short” lunch strategy: Quinoa and veggies at my desk.
Cocktail: Valpolicella Ripasso.
Workout: Pilates.
Bookstore: John Sandoe Books, in Chelsea.
Favorite park (besides Hyde!): Jardin des Tuileries, in Paris.
Current projects: A top secret, completely disruptive flower project!
Any recommendations for us? When the Going Was Good, by Graydon Carter; the television series Down Cemetery Road, with Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson; and Jay Kelly on screen.
