Flora Octopus Primär funktion: Brosch by Nana Watanabe

Flora Octopus Primär funktion: Brosch by Nana Watanabe is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award i Brons in Smyckesdesign Competition Category.

BronsSmycken· 2026

Flora Octopus Primär funktion: Brosch

by Nana Watanabe

Client: Nana Watanabe

A' Design Award i Brons Winner in Smycken Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Flora Octopus Primär funktion: Brosch

Boktext: Flora Octopus-broschen förenar samtida smyckekonst med broderad skulptur och presenterar en lätt men ändå voluminös form inspirerad av föreställt marint liv. Istället för konventionella metaller eller stenar använder den återvunna trådar och organza för att skapa textur, flöde och organisk rörelse. Den tredimensionella broderikonstruktionen speglar hållbarhet och innovation, medan det livfulla samspelet mellan färger förvandlar tråd till ett skulpturalt medium. Denna brosch fungerar både som prydnad och som ett ställningstagande och lyfter fram konstnärskap och ekologisk medvetenhet inom samtida smyckekonst.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award i Brons

Flora Octopus Primär funktion: Brosch är vinnare av A' Design Award i Brons, ett högst prestigefyllt erkännande som tilldelas enastående designverk som utmärker sig genom kreativitet, uppfinningsrikedom och klokhet. Bronsvinnare är mycket skickliga och slående kreativa föremål som styrker formgivarnas stora erfarenhet, fantasi och påhittighet. Flora Octopus Primär funktion: Brosch förväntas vara ett högt skattat, beundrat och älskat föremål som är anmärkningsvärt professionellt och innovativt. Detta vinnande verk i A' Design Award i Brons införlivar bästa praxis inom konst, vetenskap, design och teknik och är utmärkt genom sin omsorg om detaljer. Flora Octopus Primär funktion: Brosch tillfredsställer fantastiskt behov, rör vid längtan, charmar känslor och väcker nyfikenhet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Flora Octopus Brooch combines textile embroidery with sculptural jewelry design, creating a lightweight yet voluminous form that resembles an imaginary marine creature. Unlike conventional jewelry made of metal or stones, it uses threads to express texture, fluidity, and movement. Its unique fusion of embroidery and three-dimensional construction highlights sustainability and artistry, offering a distinctive alternative in contemporary jewelry.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: 16 x 18 x 15 cm
Weight: approx. 10 g
Materials: recycled polyester fabric, brass fittings, nylon.
Despite its voluminous size, the brooch is extremely lightweight, ensuring comfort and making it suitable even for delicate fabrics. The design balances artistic presence with everyday practicality. The packaging is made from recyclable paper, further emphasizing the brand's commitment to sustainability.
Tags: Embroidery, Textile Jewelry, Sculptural Brooch, Sustainable Design, Recycled Materials, Organza, Tulle, Transparency, Nature Inspired, Marine Aesthetics, Innovative Craft, Ethical Jewelry
Production Technology: The brooch is created by layering recycled polyester organza with high-precision machine embroidery, then hand-assembling the pieces into a sculptural form. Instead of relying on traditional jewelry materials such as metal or gemstones, the design employs thread as a primary medium to construct a three-dimensional organic structure. This innovative approach redefines the boundaries of jewelry design, combining lightness, sustainability, and artistry in a single piece.
Design Challenge: The greatest challenge was transforming soft materials such as thread and fabric into a sculptural form that could maintain its structure. Conventional methods failed to provide stability, which led to the development of an original sewing and assembly technique. Another difficulty was to ensure durability while keeping the piece lightweight, so that it could be safely worn even on delicate fabrics. This was achieved through extensive material research and close collaboration with embroidery specialists. Furthermore, by filling the interior with loosely arranged tulle instead of tightly packed wadding, the design introduces a sense of air and transparency. The inner tulle subtly shines through the outer organza in a gradient effect, capturing the translucent and poetic beauty of creatures that inhabit the sea.
Research: This research set out to challenge the historical paradigm of jewelry design, which has traditionally relied on metals and gemstones, by exploring the potential of textiles as a primary medium. Through the observation of natural forms, material experimentation, and iterative prototyping, a unique methodology was developed to sculpt fabric into three-dimensional structures. In particular, the layering of organza on the exterior with softly inserted tulle inside creates an airy volume with translucency and subtle gradients of color. This technique evokes the ethereal beauty of marine life, with its transparent and fluid qualities. The result is a piece that is not only lightweight and sustainable but also expands the boundaries of jewelry, traversing the realms of fashion, craft, and art.
Inspiration: The design was inspired by the organic beauty of marine life, particularly the graceful yet mysterious form of an octopus. By combining floral motifs with oceanic imagery, it symbolizes both fragility and strength, evoking a sense of an imaginary paradise where nature and fantasy intertwine.
Project Duration: The project began in April 2025 in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, and was completed in June 2025. It was first unveiled at a solo exhibition in Tokyo in the same month, where it was introduced as a new approach to contemporary jewelry expression.
Operation Flow: The brooch is easily attached by inserting the pin through fabric, offering a secure yet lightweight hold that does not damage even delicate garments. Once worn, it instantly transforms ordinary attire into an artful statement, embodying the organic beauty of nature. More than a decorative accessory, it offers a sensorial and expressive experience, allowing the wearer to carry a piece of sculptural poetry as part of their personal style.
Image Credits: Photographer: Sayuka Tanaka, 2025