“For some people, I’m just the Four Seasons’ flower guy,” Jeff Leatham says with a grin. But the Paris-based designer’s downplayed job description hardly covers his impact. The American has spent the last 29 years reshaping spaces and creating sensory journeys at some of the world’s most iconic hotels (and clients including royalty, A-list celebrities such as Madonna, Oprah Winfrey, The Kardashians and luxury brands Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Dior and Bulgari). Essentially the ‘Four Seasons’ Flower Guy’ is actually the name when it comes to high-end design with flowers.
Now, for the first time in the GCC, Leatham brings his vision to the Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach, transforming the lobby of the luxury resort into something unexpected and unforgettable.
Leatham’s approach is deeply visual. “For me, it’s not just about flowers. It’s about making people stop,” he explains. “I’m known for walking into any room—hotels I’ve worked with for years, even—and rearranging everything. Why would they put that sculpture there? Why not here?” It’s this obsessive attention to spatial harmony that makes his work a standout in luxury design, and it shows in Dubai, where Leatham has chosen bold, vibrant colors to contrast with the natural tones of the city’s landscape. “Dubai is stunning, but very neutral. I wanted to bring in something with energy, a sense of surprise.”
Leatham’s installations are sensory by nature. He describes his designs as “visual dominance,” intended to awaken each of the senses and invite guests to immerse themselves. “When people walk in and think, ‘Wow, if this much care went into the flowers, what else is in store?’ that’s when we’ve done it right.” And it’s not just the usual hotel guests that Leatham is trying to impress. “My favourite compliment is when a businessman in a hurry pauses to look around. When you can stop someone on a schedule, you know you’ve made a real impact.”
Although social media has turned flowers into status symbols, Leatham stays true to an approach that values innovation and detail above all else. “Repetition is my worst enemy,” he confesses. “Every display has to be something people haven’t seen before.” At his base at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, his work constantly shifts to surprise the hotel’s regulars – an approach that has made him the property’s secret weapon. In Dubai, Leatham has worked similar magic with his month-long installation that his team refreshes every few days to ensure it looks as vibrant as day one.
In his 29-year partnership with Four Seasons, Leatham has created a standard for high-end design that draws guests back for more. He calls it “the best marriage of my life” and laughs, noting that “other companies may put flowers in the background. But for us, they’re part of the DNA.” Dubai’s installation may only be temporary, but Leatham’s impact—both in redefining “flower guy” and transforming spaces into art—will linger.
Jeff Leatham’s floral installation will be on display at the Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach Dubai through November 2024