The Nendo one-piece handbag

18th May 2020

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Nendo, the pioneering Japanese studio, has designed a collection of handbags each cut from a single sheet of leather.

Combining up-to-the-minute laser technology with the ancient art of origami, Nendo, the pioneering Japanese studio, has designed a collection of handbags each cut from a single sheet of leather.

The bags arrive with buyers as one flat piece of hide that can be assembled by folding and held in place with rivets pushed through ready-made holes. This can be done in seconds, no tools required!

Despite, or perhaps because of, the functional nature of their production, the bags are superbly stylish and downright cool.

Named ‘Mai’ from the Japanese word ‘ichi-mai’ meaning ‘one sheet’, the collection was created for Italian design platform Up To You Anthology, a showcase for bags created not just by experienced designers- but by anyone with a great idea.

Up To You Anthology is committed to sustainability and works with small, local artisans rather than big industrial producers. The Mai design fits the company’s philosophy perfectly. Production is so swift and simple it can be limited to pieces that are sold, making over-production impossible. The technique also minimises material waste, reduces the need for packaging and cuts postage costs. The leather is, of course, sustainable – and is dyed with vegetable-based tannins.

The Mai follows another successful bag creation by Nendo. Working for Tod’s – the lux-leather brand – they came up with a design specifically for architects, which can shrink or grow according to the size of the documents it holds.

Mai bags come in a choice of sizes, shapes and colours and are available here.