Ringo Gamaguchi Iṣẹ́ Pàtàkì: Àpamọ́wọ́ Onígbálẹ̀ by Yutaro Kumagai

Ringo Gamaguchi Iṣẹ́ Pàtàkì: Àpamọ́wọ́ Onígbálẹ̀ by Yutaro Kumagai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Ohun Ọ̀ṣọ́ Àṣà àti Ìrìnàjò Competition Category.

IdẹOhun Ọ̀ṣọ́· 2026

Ringo Gamaguchi Iṣẹ́ Pàtàkì: Àpamọ́wọ́ Onígbálẹ̀

by Yutaro Kumagai

Client: Appcycle

Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award Winner in Ohun Ọ̀ṣọ́ 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 Iṣẹ́ Pàtàkì: Àpamọ́wọ́ Onígbálẹ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ Inú Ìwé: Ọjà yìí gba ìrísí ápù nítorí pé a ṣe é láti inú Ringo Tex, awọ̀ àtọwọ́dá tí a rí láti inú àjẹkù ápù. Ìwọ̀n rẹ̀ dá lórí ìwọ̀n ápù kékeré gidi kan, tí ó túbọ̀ ń tẹnumọ́ ìpilẹ̀ṣẹ̀ rẹ̀. Ànfàní pàtàkì rẹ̀ ni pé ó tẹ́ẹ́rẹ́, èyí tí kì í sábà rí láàrín àwọn àpamọ́wọ́ onígbálẹ̀. A ṣàṣeyọrí èyí nípa lílo ọ̀nà ìránṣọ tí ó yàtọ̀ sí ti àwọn àpamọ́wọ́ tí a mọ̀ sí, tí ó ń jẹ́ kí ìpìlẹ̀ náà wà ní tẹ́ẹ́rẹ́. Ète náà ni láti ṣẹ̀dá ọjà tí ó lè wọ inú àpò tàbí àpò aṣọ pẹ̀lú ìrọ̀rùn, tí ó ń jẹ́ kí a lè gbé owó ẹyọ àti àwọn nǹkan kékeré mìíràn lọ́nà ọ̀làjú láìfi púpọ̀ kún ìwọ̀n rẹ̀.

The Recognition

About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award

Ringo Gamaguchi Iṣẹ́ Pàtàkì: Àpamọ́wọ́ Onígbálẹ̀ jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí gan-an tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó tayọ tí wọ́n yàtọ̀ nípasẹ̀ ìṣẹ̀dá, àrékérekè àti ọgbọ́n inú. Àwọn olùborí Idẹ jẹ́ àwọn ohun èlò tó ní ìjáfáfá gan-an tí wọ́n sì ní ìṣẹ̀dá tó yani lẹ́nu tí wọ́n ń ṣe ẹ̀rí ìrírí gbígbòòrò, ìrònú àti ọgbọ́n àwọn olùṣàwòṣe wọn. A retí pé Ringo Gamaguchi Iṣẹ́ Pàtàkì: Àpamọ́wọ́ Onígbálẹ̀ yóò jẹ́ ohun tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó jẹ́ ti ọ̀jáfáfá lọ́nà tó ṣe pàtàkì tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ nínú iṣẹ́ ọnà, sáyẹ́ǹsì, àwòṣe àti ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ jọ, ó sì tayọ nítorí àfiyèsí rẹ̀ sí àwọn àlàyé kékeré. Ringo Gamaguchi Iṣẹ́ Pàtàkì: Àpamọ́wọ́ Onígbálẹ̀ ń tẹ́ àwọn ohun tí a nílò lọ́rùn lọ́nà àgbàyanu, ó ń fọwọ́ kan àwọn ìfẹ́ inú, ó ń gbà ọkàn ó sì ń fa ìfẹ́ láti mọ̀ mọ́ra.

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