You’d be forgiven for confusing one of renowned cake designer Maggie Austin’s creations for a bouquet of fresh blooms. Since launching her business in 2010, the Washington DC based artist has been creating waves amongst VIP clients and filling up wedding inspiration boards on Pinterest with jaw dropping life-like floral textures, which can easily be classified as works of art. In her new book Maggie Austin Cake: Artistry and Design, the designer showcases some of her most intricate and striking work, with meticulously-detailed instructions to recreate these select masterpieces at home. Maggie shares with DWP-Insider her inspiration and talks us through her approach to cake artistry.
What’s the most intricate piece you have created and how long did it take?
I’ve been fortunate to have worked on many interesting projects. I am a solo artist and everything I do is both intricate and time-consuming, but my pieces for President Obama’s White House Holiday celebrations certainly stand out as some of my absolute favorites! I created sugar flower installations that took several months to complete. Even the Secret Service thought they were real flowers! Working alongside other talented volunteers was a truly profound honor for me.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere! My work takes me all over the world. In just the past couple of months, I’ve seen spontaneous tango dancing in the streets of São Paulo, flocks of parakeets flying through Sydney, and an 16th century gold-leaf altar at a cathedral in Mexico City. Each of these experiences provides me with a more enriched artistic vocabulary to draw upon. Living in the Washington DC area means that I am surrounded by some of the world’s finest museums, but I also love watching the wildflowers blooms and fade and go to seed from the window of my studio in the countryside.
In just the past couple of months, I’ve seen spontaneous tango dancing in the streets of São Paulo, flocks of parakeets flying through Sydney, and an 16th century gold-leaf altar at a cathedral in Mexico City. Each of these experiences provides me with a more enriched artistic vocabulary to draw upon.
What design would you call your signature/ most requested? What is the story behind it?
The frills have certainly become very popular. They are an example of taking a traditional technique to the extreme. A single frill is an easy way of making a border. I decided to cover the entire tier! I would say that the playful exploration of traditional ideas is what I love most about what I do.
If you had to pick one piece from the book which is the closest to your heart, which one would it be and why?
Oh, it’s too difficult to pick a favorite! As cliché as it sounds, I put everything into whatever is in front of me in the moment. I will say that the butterfly cake was tremendously fun! I was working with wafer paper, which is a medium that I am just beginning to explore. I love the delicacy and translucency. So much potential…
What cake trends should we leave behind and which ones should we be embracing?
I actually stay away from looking at other cake designers’ work and remain inside my own bubble, but I I am excited to see lushly organic floral arrangements increasingly featured in wedding celebrations. I love to bring a sense of dynamic movement into my own designs and gravity-defying sugar flowers are a fun way to tie the cake into the overall aesthetic. Be bold and leave symmetry behind!
What is the driving force behind your romantic approach to cake artistry?
My first career was as a classical ballet dancer and I have spent my entire life dedicated to the process of exploring technique in a meticulous way. Each pearl or leaf or petal is an opportunity to approach my work in a new way. I also love learning about my clients and finding ways to bring their unique personalities into my cake designs. What could be more romantic than marrying beauty and food?
Which famous client of yours has been a unique experience?
I had a deep honor and pleasure of creating birthday cakes for Dr. Jane Goodall. I have followed her work since I was a child and meeting her was one of the most meaningful moments of my life. Her dedication to making the world a better place for all living things is both inspiring and humbling.
What can newbies learn from your book?
While some of the designs may look quite intimidating, the techniques are actually very simple. All you really need is a lot patience and a few basic tools. And you don’t even need to work with cake! I have several examples of extra-fancy cookies that are easy and fun. As I say to my students, embrace the imperfections!
Flip through our top picks of the dreamiest cake designs by Maggie Austin…
Maggie Austin Cake: Artistry and Technique is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
