Three Worlds Primary Function: Mekotlana ea letsoho by Gaja Hanzel

Three Worlds Primary Function: Mekotlana ea letsoho by Gaja Hanzel is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Dikgabiso tsa Feshene le Maeto Competition Category.

TšepeSekgabiso· 2026

Three Worlds Primary Function: Mekotlana ea letsoho

by Gaja Hanzel

Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award Winner in Sekgabiso Category

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Colors

The Design

About Three Worlds Primary Function: Mekotlana ea letsoho

Book Text: Pokello ea mekotlana ea letsoho ea Lefatše le Leraro Pelo e le 'Ngoe e hlahloba moo ho phetoa litšomo tsa lefa le moralo oa sejoale-joale ho kopanang teng. Mekotlana ea letsoho e hlahisoa e le lintho tse phetang litšomo, e fetolela litšusumetso tsa setso tse tsoang libakeng tse tharo hore e be mekhoa, libopeho le mefuta ea mebala. E entsoe ka lisebelisoa tse nkang sebaka sa letlalo tse etsoang ka limela le masela a tlhaho a hatisitsoeng, mokotlana o mong le o mong o leka-lekanya ts'ebetso le botebo ba maikutlo. Pokello ena e totobatsa moralo o sa feleng, tlhahiso ea lehae le karolo eo mokotlana oa letsoho o e phethang e le se nkang mehopolo le motsamao oa motho.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award

Three Worlds Primary Function: Mekotlana ea letsoho ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang e fuoang meralo e metle e finyellang litlhoko tsa porofeshenale le tsa indasteri tse lebelletsoeng ho lintho tse hlahisitsoeng tse entsoeng hantle. Bahapi ba Tšepe ba bontša bokhoni bo boholo, bokhethehi bo phahameng, kutloisiso ea litsebi le bokhoni ba boqapi ba baqapi ba bona. Three Worlds Primary Function: Mekotlana ea letsoho e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlahisitsoeng e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e sebetsang le e nang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa ea indasteri mme o na le litšobotsi tsa theknoloji tse nang le bokhoni tse amanang le tsebo le talenta. Ka lebaka la botlalo ba eona, Three Worlds Primary Function: Mekotlana ea letsoho e tšoanelehela tlhompho mme e entsoe ho fana ka ntlafatso ea bophelo e thusang ho etsa hore lefatše le be sebaka se molemo.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Three Worlds One Heart handbag collection is based on a biographical design concept translating personal histories from three countries into functional objects. Each model reflects the distinct lifestyles of three sisters: a travel companion, a compact everyday bag, a market drawstring tote, and a vintage inspired silhouette for day and evening use. Three original prints, rooted in memory and cultural heritage, appear on exterior or lining. The series comprises four handbags in three color variations, combining narrative depth, functionality, and lasting emotional value.
Dimensions & Packaging: There are 4 tipes of bags in the collection. The bag sizes are: 41 x 20 x 16 cm, 26 x 20 x 5 cm, 24 x 26 x 15 cm, 35 x 17 x 12 cm.
Tags: bag design, pattern design, cultural heritage, women's handbag, timeless design, original prints
Production Technology: The project applies a narrative driven design methodology, transforming biographical research into functional products. Textile patterns were developed combining hand-drawn motifs and digital refinement, forming a cohesive visual system inspired by cultural heritage, landscapes, and personal memories. Bags are crafted from cotton and apple waste leather alternative featuring original digital prints. Each form was refined through prototyping and structural testing, resulting in balanced proportions and functional clarity, with shapes inspired by each bag’s intended use and the region where the sisters lived.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was translating intimate family narratives and diverse cultural contexts into a cohesive and contemporary handbag designs while maintaining functional clarity. Developing original prints that respectfully reflect three cultural environments required extensive research into heritage, symbols and color language. Additional challenges included technical limitations of materials, local production, and pattern scalability, which demanded iterative experimentation to ensure functional, durable, and ethically produced designs.
Research: This project is based on qualitative, practice led design research. The objective was to explore how family history, regional cultural heritage, and everyday lifestyles can inform contemporary handbag forms and textile patterns. The research translated personal and regional narratives using visual research, cultural analysis, original print development, material testing and prototyping. Data came from archives, family narratives, field visits, and photography. Results produced cohesive patterns and functional forms, translating memory, culture, and daily life into versatile handbags.
Inspiration: The handbags originate from an intimate family narrative, inspired by the life stories of three sisters, including my grandmother, whose lives unfolded across three countries: Slovenia, Croatia and North Macedonia. Their stories initiated an indepth research process into personal memories, cultural heritage and architectural forms, which shaped the overall designs and original prints, translating memories and cultural identity into a cohesive visual language.
Project Duration: The project began in June 2025 in Gorizia, Italy and ended in November 2025 in Sezana, Slovenia. It was exhibited at the local cultural center in Slovenia.
Operation Flow: The collection offers versatile carrying options for everyday use. Two models feature adjustable and removable straps, allowing shoulder, crossbody, or hand carry. The two larger bags provide ample space for personal items. Textile patterns appear on the exterior for some bags and as lining for others, creating a visual surprise. Each design balances functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, adapting effortlessly to different occasions and styling needs.
Image Credits: Image #No 1, 4, 5 : Photographer Dominique Pozzo, Three Worlds, 2025
Image #No 2, 3 : Photographer Gaja Hanzel, Three Worlds, 2025