Meet Floral, Event, Lifestyle Designer Peter Otero

Recently I was introduced to Peter Otero’s work when he graciously donated six stunning floral arrangements for the SPNA (South Park Neighborhood Association) event at the Belasco. This South Park artist started honing his talent with flowers as a teen and now has an impressive career in event design.

Peter has his own floral and event planning business and has been a South Park resident since 2019. He loves downtown for its fast-paced lifestyle and loves mixing the perspectives of LA, New York, and his native Colombia into his work. He also approaches his projects utilizing his background in interior design. His unique way of combining materials is what sets his work apart, such as using driftwood or grapevines with his florals.

A native of Colombia, Peter immigrated to the east coast at a young age. His mother and grandmother were gardeners, and in high school he worked at a flower shop. The skill came easy to him. After graduation he studied architecture and enrolled at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York for interior design. Life took him to Miami during the rise of South Beach where he started a business with a friend doing high profile events.

He eventually moved to Los Angeles where he worked freelance until one of the city’s top floral designers recognized his talent. It helped him move up rapidly in the industry until he was offered partnership, and they began producing their own events for 25 years. They planned all aspects from food to lighting with florals being the main component, the brooch in his own words. The company catapulted into high profile events and weddings that brought him opportunities such as the opening of the Bahamas’ Atlantis and a movie premiere at Piazzo San Marco in Venice, as well as other DreamWorks premieres.

After speaking with Peter for well over an hour, it was clear that as a person he is just as wonderful as his art. When he’s not making living art, he donates his time and expertise to an organization that means a lot to him, www.boo2bullying.org, and believes in the importance of helping others and giving back.

         Keep up with his work on https://instagram.com/otero_inc

or contact Peter at peterotero@otero.design.

By Aileen Coyle