Wit Omfoarmbere Tas by Teresa Chan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award yn Izer in Moade- en Reisaksessoires Ûntwerp Competition Category.

IzerAksessoire· 2022

Wit Omfoarmbere Tas

by Teresa Chan

Client: Kalón

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Aksessoire Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #137319

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Wit Omfoarmbere Tas

Wit is in omfoarmbere tas dy't ûntworpen is foar deistich gebrûk. Wit kin op fiif manieren droegen wurde: as handtas, skoudertas, crossbody-tas, rêchsek en tas mei koarte hankgreep. De floeiende en soepele struktuer kin op- en útklapt wurde ta fjouwer silhûetten: opklapt, strukturearre, los-hingjend en útklapt. Twa ynstelbere en ôfnimbere bantsjes stypje elke draachwize. Twa modulêre tafoegings, in ynlis foar deistich gebrûk en in laptophoes, kinne yn de tas of los brûkt wurde. De tas is makke fan kaktuslear, in ljocht, duorsum en wetterbestindich plantaardich alternatyf foar lear.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

Wit Omfoarmbere Tas is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan Wit Omfoarmbere Tas wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. Wit Omfoarmbere Tas wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The five-way WIT Bag is a multifunctional masterpiece to empower modern lifestyles by blending style, functionality, and sustainability. Designed to adapt and transform, it can be carried as a handbag, shoulder bag, crossbody, backpack, and top-handle. Its fluid and supple structure easily folds and unfolds for four iconic silhouettes: folded, structured, slouchy, and expanded. Featuring two customized modular add-ons: The Everyday bag insert and Laptop Sleeve are designed to pair perfectly or stunningly standalone. Crafted in Cactus leather, an innovative plant-based leather alternative.
Dimensions & Packaging: Width 370mm x Depth 115mm x Height 290mm. Weight: 900gr (only the WIT Bag. Up to 12 dedicated compartments for keys, bottles, laptop, etc.
Tags: Modular bag, convertible bag, vegan bag, fashion design, female-founded
Production Technology: The fluid structure is achieved by manipulating the materials. The side frame is reinforced to maintain the shape. The main bag is constructed to drape and fold, creating a natural curvature. The material, Desserto Cactus leather, is a lightweight, durable, and water-resistant vegan leather alternative. Bag inserts fabrics are waterproof and lightweight.
Design Challenge: One of the biggest challenges is to overcome the transformative concept. The bag must be flexible, user-friendly, but durable in each independent form. We have tested multiple prototypes to achieve the ideal construction and outcome. The second challenge is working with innovative vegan materials. We have experimented with several plant-based options to ensure durability and performance before deciding on cactus leather. The material is only available in Mexico, and we have to navigate suitable partners with adequate expertise in working with such material.
Research: We carried out in-depth market research to study and evaluate existing convertible handbags for women. We sent questionnaires to target audiences to study their current interaction with everyday bags, existing pain points, and possible solutions. With global events and changes to our lifestyles, users emphasize versatility and practicality in their everyday bags. We found out that plant-based leather alternatives are on the rise, and most of them are intrigued with such material.
Inspiration: Inspired by Women In Tech and created by a Forbes Under 30 female founder, the WIT Bag blends design, functionality, & sustainability. Being an entrepreneur who is constantly in motion, I found myself struggling with heavy & bulky bags. Technology is constantly transforming our lives, but we are still compromising on style and function for our handbags. We aim to reimagine everyday bags to realise the best of both worlds, ethics & aesthetics, luxury & style. With remote working on the rise, the need for an alternative to a regular work bag became even greater. We strive to design a bag as multifaceted as our modern lifestyles.
Project Duration: The project started in August 2021 in New York and Hong Kong. The product launched in February 2022.
Operation Flow: The bag is transformed by manipulating the shape and arranging the straps. The bag is structured when the bag insert is placed inside. The bag naturally slouches when the bag insert is removed, it can also be folded into a triangular top-handle bag. To carry as a backpack, the bag flaps can be expanded and secured by a zipper, and straps can be attached. The bag contains two adjustable and detachable straps for transforming different ways to carry.
Patents: Patented. Patent filing number: 2219274.6M001. 2219274.6M002. 2219274.6M003. 2022. HONG KONG.
Team Members: Designer: Teresa Chan
Image Credits: Photographer Media Studio Hong Kong Limited
Model Yana Basalaeva