Pinning the Boutonniere Before Tying the Knot

Andrew Werner needed to stand out.

In 2014, he was hired as a photographer to cover a gala at Cipriani’s Midtown event space. He wanted to catch the eye of his subjects, but couldn’t find any appropriate boutonnieres “that were in line with my black suit and also spoke to my personality.”

Taking matters into his own hands, he found a fabric shop in Manhattan’s garment district and purchased some burlap. Once home, he handcrafted the material into the shape of a rose, and painted it fire engine red.

“That was my first lapel flower,” said Mr. Werner, whose parents’ families had roots in jewelry and men’s suiting. Compliments were plentiful. Phone inquiries followed. And soon after, orders.

Almost 2,000 customized boutonnieres later, Mr. Werner’s accessories have adorned the lapels of well-known people, including Al Roker, Bill Clinton and Jessica Carter Altman. There have also been collaborations with the New York Botanical Garden celebrating Van Gogh’s Flowers exhibit; custom cashmere collections for Bergdorf; included in Oprah’s Favorite Things, and of course, weddings.

“People love to take unused real estate and incorporate personality into a mundane, pedestrian outfit,” Mr. Werner said.

Mr. Werner, 38, runs Fleur’d Pins out of his one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan’s Tudor City, in addition to his work as a photographer. Depending upon the style, size and material used, his boutonnieres range in price from $95 to $495.