Ringo Gamaguchi Knäppportmonnä by Yutaro Kumagai

Ringo Gamaguchi Knäppportmonnä by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award i Brons in Mode- och Reseaccessoardesign Competition Category.

BronsAccessoar· 2026

Ringo Gamaguchi Knäppportmonnä

by Yutaro Kumagai

Client: Appcycle

A' Design Award i Brons Winner in Accessoar 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 Knäppportmonnä

Denna produkt har formen av ett äpple eftersom den är tillverkad av Ringo Tex, ett syntetiskt läder framställt av äppleavfall. Dess mått är baserade på storleken av ett riktigt litet äpple, vilket framhäver dess ursprung. Dess främsta kännetecken är dess smalhet, något som vanligtvis inte ses bland knäppportmonnäer. Detta uppnåddes genom att tillämpa en sömnadsteknik som skiljer sig från konventionella portmonnäer, vilket gör att konstruktionen kan förbli tunn. Avsikten var att skapa en produkt som lätt får plats i väskor eller fickor, så att mynt och andra små föremål kan bäras smidigt utan att lägga till mycket volym.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award i Brons

Ringo Gamaguchi Knäppportmonnä är vinnare av A' Design Award i Brons, ett högst prestigefyllt erkännande som tilldelas enastående designverk som utmärker sig genom kreativitet, uppfinningsrikedom och klokhet. Bronsvinnare är mycket skickliga och slående kreativa föremål som styrker formgivarnas stora erfarenhet, fantasi och påhittighet. Ringo Gamaguchi Knäppportmonnä förväntas vara ett högt skattat, beundrat och älskat föremål som är anmärkningsvärt professionellt och innovativt. Detta vinnande verk i A' Design Award i Brons införlivar bästa praxis inom konst, vetenskap, design och teknik och är utmärkt genom sin omsorg om detaljer. Ringo Gamaguchi Knäppportmonnä tillfredsställer fantastiskt behov, rör vid längtan, charmar känslor och väcker nyfikenhet.

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