Ringo Gamaguchi Borża bil-Klipp by Yutaro Kumagai

Ringo Gamaguchi Borża bil-Klipp by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Premju A' Design Award tal-Bronż in Disinn ta' Aċċessorji tal-Moda u Vjaġġar Competition Category.

BronżAċċessorju· 2026

Ringo Gamaguchi Borża bil-Klipp

by Yutaro Kumagai

Client: Appcycle

Premju A' Design Award tal-Bronż Winner in Aċċessorju Category

9,917

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180934

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ringo Gamaguchi Borża bil-Klipp

Dan il-prodott jieħu l-forma ta' tuffieħa għaliex huwa maħdum minn Ringo Tex, ġild sintetiku miġbur mill-iskart tat-tuffieħ. Id-dimensjonijiet tiegħu huma bbażati fuq id-daqs ta' tuffieħa żgħira reali, biex jenfasizzaw l-oriġini tiegħu. Il-karatteristika ewlenija tiegħu hija r-rqiqa tiegħu, li mhux ġeneralment tidher fost il-boroż bil-klipp. Dan intlaħaq billi ġie adottat metodu ta' ħjata differenti minn dak tal-boroż konvenzjonali, li jippermetti l-istruttura tibqa' rqiqa. L-intenzjoni kienet li jinħoloq prodott li jista' jidħol faċilment fil-basktijiet jew fil-bwiet, li jippermetti li munisti u oġġetti żgħar oħra jinġarru b'mod intelliġenti mingħajr ma jżidu wisq volum.

The Recognition

About the Premju A' Design Award tal-Bronż

Ringo Gamaguchi Borża bil-Klipp huwa rebbieħ tal-Premju A' Design Award tal-Bronż, rikonoxximent prestiġjuż ħafna mogħti lil disinji eċċellenti ddistingwuti mill-kreattività, l-ingenwità u l-għaqal. Ir-rebbieħa tal-Bronż huma xogħlijiet bi ħila biżżejjed u kreattivi b'mod impressjonanti li jawtentikaw l-esperjenza vasta, l-immaġinazzjoni u l-ħila ta' riżorsi tad-disinjaturi tagħhom. Huwa mistenni li Ringo Gamaguchi Borża bil-Klipp ikun oġġett imqabbar ħafna, mammirat u maħbub, notevolment professjonali u innovattiv. Dan id-disinn rebbieħ tal-Bronż jinkorporaw l-aħjar prattiki fl-arti, ix-xjenza, id-disinn u t-teknoloġija u huwa eċċellenti fl-attenzjoni għad-dettalji. Ringo Gamaguchi Borża bil-Klipp jissodisfa l-ħtiġijiet b'mod eċċellenti, imiss ix-xewqat, jinċanta s-sentimenti u jattira l-kurżità.

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