Ringo Gamaguchi Fonksyon Prensipal: Bous ak Fèmwa by Yutaro Kumagai

Ringo Gamaguchi Fonksyon Prensipal: Bous ak Fèmwa by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Bwonz in Pwodui Dirab Competition Category.

BwonzPwodui Dirab· 2026

Ringo Gamaguchi Fonksyon Prensipal: Bous ak Fèmwa

by Yutaro Kumagai

Client: Appcycle

A' Design Award Bwonz Winner in Pwodui Dirab Category

10,052

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181064

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ringo Gamaguchi Fonksyon Prensipal: Bous ak Fèmwa

Tèks Liv: Pwodwi sa a pran fòm yon pòm paske li fèt ak Ringo Tex, yon kwi sentetik ki sòti nan fatra pòm. Dimansyon li baze sou gwosè yon ti pòm reyèl, sa ki mete aksan sou orijin li. Karakteristik prensipal li se finès li, yon bagay nou pa konn wè souvan nan bous ak fèmwa. Sa te reyalize lè nou te adopte yon apwòch kouti diferan de bous tradisyonèl yo, ki pèmèt estrikti a rete mens. Entansyon an se te kreye yon pwodwi ki ka antre fasilman nan valiz oswa nan pòch, ki pèmèt pote pyès monnen ak lòt ti bagay ak fason entelijan san ajoute anpil volim.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Bwonz

Ringo Gamaguchi Fonksyon Prensipal: Bous ak Fèmwa se yon ganyan A' Design Award Bwonz, yon rekonesans ki gen anpil prestij yo bay design ekselan ki make pa kreyativite, enjenyozite ak finès. Ganyan Bwonz yo se objè ki abil anpil e ki kreyatif nan fason ki frape, ki otantifye gwo eksperyans, imajinasyon ak debouyaj designer yo. Yo atann Ringo Gamaguchi Fonksyon Prensipal: Bous ak Fèmwa pou se yon objè anpil moun estime, admire e renmen, ki pwofesyonèl e inovatè nan fason remakab. Design sa a ki ganyen A' Design Award Bwonz enkòpore pi bon pratik nan atizay, syans, design ak teknoloji, e li ekselan pou atansyon li bay detay. Ringo Gamaguchi Fonksyon Prensipal: Bous ak Fèmwa satisfè bezwen yon fason espledid, li touche dezi, li chame santiman e li atire kiryozite.

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