Ringo Gamaguchi Obi Akpa Mmechi by Yutaro Kumagai

Ringo Gamaguchi Obi Akpa Mmechi by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz in Nhazi Ihe Mgbakwunye Ejiji na Njem Competition Category.

BronzIhe Mgbakwunye· 2026

Ringo Gamaguchi Obi Akpa Mmechi

by Yutaro Kumagai

Client: Appcycle

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz Winner in Ihe Mgbakwunye Category

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Colors

The Design

About Ringo Gamaguchi Obi Akpa Mmechi

Ngwaahịa a na-enwe ọdịdị apụl n'ihi na e mere ya site na Ringo Tex, akpụkpọ anụ sịntetik nke sitere na mkpofu apụl. Akụkụ ya dabere n'ụhara nke ezigbo obere apụl, na-emesi ebe o si bịa ike. Isi njirimara ya bụ ịdị gịrịgịrị, nke a na-adịghị ahụkarị n'etiti obi akpa mmechi. E mezuru nke a site n'iji ụzọ ịkwa ákwà dị iche na nke obi akpa nkịtị, na-enye ohere ka nhazi ya nọrọ na-adị mkpa. Ebumnobi ya bụ ịmepụta ngwaahịa nke nwere ike ịbanye n'akpa ma ọ bụ akpa uwe, na-enye ohere iji buru mkpụrụ ego na obere ihe ndị ọzọ nke ọma na-adịghị agbakwunye ọnụ ọgụgụ.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz

Ringo Gamaguchi Obi Akpa Mmechi meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị pụtara ìhè nke a ma ama maka nzụlite ihe, ọgụgụ isi na nghọta. Ndị meriri na Bronz bụ ihe e mere nke ndị nwere nka nke ukwuu ma dị mma n'imepụta nke na-egosi ahụmahụ buru ibu, echiche na ọgụgụ isi nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Ringo Gamaguchi Obi Akpa Mmechi ga-abụ ihe a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz na-agụnye ụzọ kacha mma n'ime nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ, ma dị mma nke ukwuu maka nlebara anya ya n'obere ihe. Ringo Gamaguchi Obi Akpa Mmechi na-emezu mkpa nke ọma, na-emetụ ọchịchọ aka, na-adọrọ mmetụta obi ma na-adọta ọchịchọ ịmara.

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: W 80 mm x D 19 mm x H 90 mm
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. It was exhibited and sold at a one month pop up store held at BEAMS JAPAN from January 29th to February 25th of 2026. 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