Ringo Gamaguchi Päätoiminto: Sankakukkaro by Yutaro Kumagai

Ringo Gamaguchi Päätoiminto: Sankakukkaro by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Pronssipalkinto A' Design Award in Kestävä tuote Competition Category.

PronssiKestävät tuotteet· 2026

Ringo Gamaguchi Päätoiminto: Sankakukkaro

by Yutaro Kumagai

Client: Appcycle

Pronssipalkinto A' Design Award Winner in Kestävät tuotteet Category

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Colors

The Design

About Ringo Gamaguchi Päätoiminto: Sankakukkaro

Kirjateksti: Tämä tuote on omenan muotoinen, koska se on valmistettu Ringo Tex -materiaalista, joka on omenajätteestä saatu synteettinen nahka. Sen mitat perustuvat oikean pienen omenan kokoon, mikä korostaa sen alkuperää. Sen pääominaisuus on ohuus, jota ei yleensä nähdä sankakukkaroissa. Tämä saavutettiin omaksumalla perinteisistä kukkaroista poikkeava ompelutapa, jonka ansiosta rakenne pysyy ohuena. Tarkoituksena oli luoda tuote, joka mahtuu helposti laukkuihin tai taskuihin, jolloin kolikoita ja muita pieniä tavaroita voi kuljettaa näppärästi ilman, että ne vievät paljon tilaa.

The Recognition

About the Pronssipalkinto A' Design Award

Ringo Gamaguchi Päätoiminto: Sankakukkaro on Pronssipalkinnon A' Design Award -voittaja, erittäin arvostettu tunnustus, joka myönnetään erinomaisille designeille, joita luonnehtivat luovuus, nerokkuus ja oveluus. Pronssivoittajat ovat runsaan taitavia ja silmiinpistävän luovia taiteellisia tuotoksia, jotka todistavat suunnittelijoidensa laajaa kokemusta, mielikuvitusta ja kekseliäisyyttä. Ringo Gamaguchi Päätoiminto: Sankakukkaro:n odotetaan olevan korkeassa arvossa pidetty, ihailtu ja rakastettu esine, joka on huomattavan ammattimainen ja innovatiivinen. Tämä Pronssipalkinnon A' Design Award -voittajadesign sisällyttää itseensä parhaita käytäntöjä taiteessa, tieteessä, designissa ja teknologiassa ja on erinomainen huomiollaan yksityiskohtiin. Ringo Gamaguchi Päätoiminto: Sankakukkaro tyydyttää upeasti tarpeita, koskettaa haluja, viehättää tunteita ja vetoaa uteliaisuuteen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This clasp purse utilizes "Ringo-Tex" a bio-based leather developed by appcycle Inc. in Aomori, Japan's largest apple producing region. Around 20,000 tons of apple residue is produced each year, much of it discarded or incinerated, contributing to CO2 emissions. Ringo-Tex upcycles this waste into synthetic leather through a low-carbon stabilization process. Molded into a 3D apple form expressing it's origin uniting symbolism and craftsmanship while inviting participation in a sustainable society.
Dimensions & Packaging: W80mm x D19mm x H90mm
Tags: Apple, Apples, Aomori, Japan, Nippon, Bio-leather, Synthetic leather, coin case, purse, clasp purse, kiss-lock, push-lock, accessory, sustainability, vegan leather, appcycle, upcycle, ethical, multifunctional bag, circulation
Production Technology: The product is built from four key materials: a clasp frame, Ringo-Tex bio-based leather, an electroformed nameplate, and lining. While the clasp is standard, molding Ringo-Tex is far more demanding than working with genuine leather and required six months of research. Stitching along the complex contours demonstrates Japanese craftsmanship. The gold seed motif, mass-produced by molding, defines the brand’s elegant identity.
Design Challenge: The greatest challenge in developing this product was achieving the bumpy texture and stitching applied to complement it. While embossing genuine leather is relatively easy due to it’s elasticity, plant-based synthetic leather is difficult to shape and sew because it lacks these properties. After six months of collaboration with multiple companies and testing we succeeded in creating the texture using a proprietary welder process. It is the product’s most charming yet challenging feature.
Research: Ringo-Tex is created by processing apple residue into power and using it as a raw material, reducing petroleum-based inputs in manufacturing by 72 - 74%. This approach lowers the dependence on finite fossil resources and decreases environmental impact. It maintains the durability and water resistance comparable to existing synthetic leather, offering a upcycled next-generation bio-based material that balances sustainability with practical performance.
Inspiration: This product is the first release of "Golden Seed" a brand created to embody appcycle's philosophy of "circulation". With the concept of "sowing regenerative seeds and facing a golden future" it expresses Aomori's identity it's apples in a cute, friendly, and accessible way. With refined construction intricate and meticulous stitching reflect the depth of Japanese craftsmanship.
Project Duration: The Project was started in 2025 Aomori and was unveiled in Tokyo in January 2026 as the debut product of the Golden Seed brand. For the next phase the team plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign followed by expansion into online platforms and retail stores both in Japan and internationally.
Operation Flow: A clasp purse with a push lock to store and carry small items such as coins, AirTags and SD cards.
Patents: Currently in the process of submitting a application for a patent.
Team Members: CEO : Kei Fujimaki
Vice President : Shohei Hatakeyama
Designer : Yutaro Kumagai
Craftsman : Fumio Sudo
Photographer : Ryokan Abe