Waterfall Whakakai by Gergo Futo is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Koura in Hoahoa Whakakai Competition Category.

KouraWhakakai· 2026

Waterfall Whakakai

by Gergo Futo

Client: Viverté Jewellery

A' Design Award Koura Winner in Whakakai Category

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Verified Award Winner
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Colors

The Design

About Waterfall Whakakai

Ko Waterfall he whakakai nō te kohinga Lady of the Lake. E whai ana te āhua whakairo i te pikonga māori o te taringa kia tau pai ai ki te tinana. Ko ngā rārangi konganuku e rere ana ka karapoti i ngā kōhatu, ā, ka whakamaumahara ki te nekehanga o te wai e taka ana. Kua hangaia tēnei taonga ki te koura mā 14k, ā, kua whakanōhia ki ngā taimana i whakatipuria ki te taiwhanga pūtaiao me ngā peara wai māori. I whakairotia tuatahitia te āhua ki te ringa i roto i te wākihi, kātahi ka whakarewaina ki te tikanga wākihi-ngaro. I whakanōhia ngā kōhatu katoa i raro i te karu whakarahi. Ka neke ana te kaimau, ka whakaata ngā taimana i te māramatanga, ā, ka rerekē haere te kanapa.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Koura

Ko Waterfall Whakakai te toa o te A' Design Award Koura, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke tuatahi, whakamīharo me te hiranga. Ko ngā toa Koura he mahi tino auaha, he tirohanga mamao, he kanapa ahi, e whakaatu ana i te pūmanawa, te mātauranga me te tohungatanga o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Waterfall Whakakai he hanganga tūnga e whakatū ana i ngā ia, he whakanuia rawa, e kawe mai ana i te uara kāore anō kia kitea. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Koura he kaupapa whakamīharo, whakahonoretia e whakawhānui ana i ngā rohe o te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau. Ka whakaara a Waterfall Whakakai i te hiahia nui, ka whakaoho i te kaingākau, ka whakatenatena i te auaha, ā, ka whakamīharo i a tātou.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Part of the Lady of the Lake collection, the Waterfall earring is a sculptural piece shaped to follow the natural curve of the ear. Its fluid metal lines frame the diamonds to evoke the shimmer of falling water. The design stands out for its anatomical fit, light-responsive movement and refined minimalism, offering a contemporary interpretation of elegance inspired by natural motion.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 35 mm x 15 Depth mm x 115 Height mm
Tags: Water, freedom, flow, nature, liquid motion
Production Technology: The piece is crafted in 14k white gold, set with lab-grown diamonds and freshwater pearls. Its flowing, water-like form was first sculpted by hand in wax, then cast using the lost-wax technique. The organic lines were refined with precision, and all stones were set under a microscope to ensure accuracy and exceptional craftsmanship
Design Challenge: The main challenge was avoiding a heavy, jewel-dominated look. I chose not to rely on many diamonds, seeking lightness instead of density. Early experiments included pouring molten metal into water to capture natural splashes, but this led to uncontrolled forms. Studying slow motion water imagery helped refine the direction. Balancing fluidity with anatomical fit was complex. The final piece expresses feminine strength through flowing movement rather than mass.
Research: Artistic and practice based research. The goal was to understand how water moves, shines and carries strength, and to translate this into a form that fits the ear naturally. The process included extensive sketching, observation of real water movement and repeated redesign. Several early ideas were abandoned during testing. The final piece was hand-carved to preserve a natural flow. The research improved design clarity and created a stronger emotional and brand connection.
Inspiration: My work is shaped by a lifelong connection to water. Growing up beside an oxbow and later returning to swimming, I was deeply influenced by the quiet weightlessness and shifting light beneath the surface. Because water surrounds us from birth and sustains both the body and the Earth, this collection seeks to honour its purity, fluidity and quiet strength through forms that echo its natural movement.
Project Duration: The design and development of Lady of the Lake took approximately four months, from August 2023 to November 2023. The piece was conceived and completed in the designer’s atelier in Szeged, Hungary. The nearby waterfront environment served as an early source of inspiration during the conceptual phase.
Operation Flow: The diamonds reflect light like the surface of deep water, while metal waves flow naturally along the shape of the ear, as if formed by the body itself. As the wearer moves, the piece responds — light shifts and shimmer appears. It transforms from a static object into a living presence, creating a strong, mythical impression that feels fluid and powerful.
Team Members: Gergő Futó
Erneszt Szabó Tönki