Ringo Gamaguchi Te Mahi Matua: Pēke Moni Tūtuki by Yutaro Kumagai

Ringo Gamaguchi Te Mahi Matua: Pēke Moni Tūtuki by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Hua Toitū, Kaupapa me te Hoahoa Kākāriki Competition Category.

ParahiHua Toitū· 2026

Ringo Gamaguchi Te Mahi Matua: Pēke Moni Tūtuki

by Yutaro Kumagai

Client: Appcycle

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Hua Toitū 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 Te Mahi Matua: Pēke Moni Tūtuki

Kuputuhi Pukapuka: Ka mau tēnei hua i te āhua o te āporo nā te mea kua hangaia mai i te Ringo Tex, he hiako mahi i ahu mai i te para āporo. Ko ōna nui i ahu mai i te rahi o tētahi āporo iti tūturu, e whakanui ana i tōna takenga mai. Ko tōna āhuatanga matua ko tōna angiangi, kāore i te kitea i waenga i ngā pēke moni tūtuki. I tutuki tēnei mā te whakamahi i tētahi huarahi tuitui rerekē i ērā pēke moni o nāianei, e taea ai te noho angiangi tonu o te hanganga. Ko te whāinga he hanga i tētahi hua e taea ai te uru māmā ki roto i ngā pēke me ngā putu, e taea ai te kawe māmā i ngā moni me ētahi atu mea iti, kāore he taumaha nui.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Ringo Gamaguchi Te Mahi Matua: Pēke Moni Tūtuki te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Ringo Gamaguchi Te Mahi Matua: Pēke Moni Tūtuki he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Ringo Gamaguchi Te Mahi Matua: Pēke Moni Tūtuki i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

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