Ringo Gamaguchi Sphachana sa Clasp by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Dihlahiswa tse Tsitsitseng, Diprojeke le Botala Competition Category.
BoronseSehlahiswa se Tsitsitseng· 2026
Ringo Gamaguchi Sphachana sa Clasp
Client: Appcycle
Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award Winner in Sehlahiswa se Tsitsitseng Category
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The Design
About Ringo Gamaguchi Sphachana sa Clasp
Sehlahisoa sena se na le sebopeho sa apole hobane se entsoe ka Ringo Tex, letlalo la maiketsetso le tsoang lithōle tsa liapole. Boholo ba sona bo ipapisitse le boholo ba apole e nyenyane ea sebele, ho hatisa moo se tsoang teng. Karolo ea sona e ka sehloohong ke bothata ba sona, e seng e bonoang hangata har'a li-clasp purse. Sena se finyelletsoe ka ho amohela mokhoa o fapaneng oa ho roka ho fapana le lipachana tse tloaelehileng, ho lumella sebopeho ho lula se le sesesane. Maikemisetso e ne e le ho theha sehlahisoa se ka kenang habonolo ka har'a mekotla kapa lipokoto, se lumellang lichelete tsa tšepe le lintho tse ling tse nyenyane hore li jaroe ka bohlale ntle le ho eketsa boima bo bongata.
The Recognition
About the Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award
Ringo Gamaguchi Sphachana sa Clasp ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e ikhethang e tsejoang ka boqapi, bohlale ba ho qapa le bohlale. Bahapi ba Boronse ke lintho tse nang le bokhoni ka ho felletseng le boqapi bo hlollang tse tiisang boiphihlelo bo bongata, mohopolo le bokhoni ba ho iphumana ba baqapi ba tsona. Ringo Gamaguchi Sphachana sa Clasp e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa bonong, mahlaleng, moralong le theknolojing mme o hlahella ka ho tsepamisa maikutlo lintlheng tse nyenyane. Ringo Gamaguchi Sphachana sa Clasp e kutloisisa litlhoko hantle, e ama litakatso, e hapa maikutlo mme e tsosa takatso ea ho tseba.
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
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