Flora Octopus

Brooch for NANA WATANABE

The Flora Octopus Brooch fuses contemporary jewelry with embroidered sculpture, presenting a lightweight yet voluminous form inspired by imagined marine life. Instead of conventional metals or stones, it employs recycled threads and organza to create texture, fluidity, and organic movement. The three-dimensional embroidery construction reflects sustainability and innovation, while the vivid interplay of colors transforms thread into a sculptural medium. This brooch serves as both ornament and statement, highlighting artistry and ecological awareness in contemporary jewelry.

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Flora Octopus by Nana Watanabe

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Brooch by Nana Watanabe

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Nana Watanabe Flora Octopus

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Nana Watanabe Brooch

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Image Credits

Photographer: Sayuka Tanaka, 2025

Project Overview

Flora Octopus Brooch has been a Bronze winner in the Jewelry Design award category in the year 2025 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Nana Watanabe was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2026, a testament to excellence of their work Flora Octopus Brooch.

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