Ringo Gamaguchi Primary Function: Knäipsportemonnie by Yutaro Kumagai

Ringo Gamaguchi Primary Function: Knäipsportemonnie by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award an Bronze in Nohalteg Produkter, Projeten a Gréngt Design Competition Category.

BronzeNohaltegt Produkt· 2026

Ringo Gamaguchi Primary Function: Knäipsportemonnie

by Yutaro Kumagai

Client: Appcycle

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Nohaltegt Produkt Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ringo Gamaguchi Primary Function: Knäipsportemonnie

Book Text: Dëse Produkt huet d'Form vun engem Apel, well en aus Ringo Tex hiergestallt gëtt, engem syntheteschen Lieder, dat aus Apelofäll gewonne gëtt. Seng Dimensioune baséieren op der Gréisst vun engem richtege klengen Apel, fir seng Hierkonft ze ënnersträichen. Seng Haaptcharakteristik ass seng Schlankheet, déi een normalerweis net bei Knäipsportemonneeën gesäit. Dëst gouf duerch e Nähverfaren erreecht, dat anescht ass wéi bei konventionelle Portemonneeën, sou datt d'Struktur dënn bleiwe konnt. D'Intentioun war et, e Produkt ze kreéieren, dat einfach an Täschen oder Boxen passt, sou datt Mënzen an aner kleng Saache flott kënne mat sech gedroe ginn, ouni vill Volume ze füügen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Ringo Gamaguchi Primary Function: Knäipsportemonnie ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Ringo Gamaguchi Primary Function: Knäipsportemonnie e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Ringo Gamaguchi Primary Function: Knäipsportemonnie erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

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