A Hoshiba model has arrived!? Express your travel memories vividly with custom-made patterns.

" PELLE MORBIDA bags are made for adults who appreciate the essence of enjoying a cruise, and my formative experience comes from the movie 'An Affair to Remember' (1957, USA). It's a beautiful and wonderful love story about a man and a woman who meet on a luxury cruise ship, and the brand name, 'Soft Skin (Leather),' is inspired by the lead actress, Deborah Kerr," says Yoshimasa Hoshiba, who produces the brand. The bags, clad in soft shrink leather made with an original recipe, are popular for their designs and colors that make you want to take them on a comfortable and elegant cruise. From Wednesday, February 7th, a pattern order event will be held at the Men's Bags section on the first basement floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . All seven models, including a new clutch, can be ordered, and the "Hoshiba model" introduced here will also be available.

What the saying "One hour on a plane is one day on a ship" illustrates

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Despite being a country surrounded by the sea on all sides, there's a sense that sea travel is something special. Those who truly enjoy traveling often indulge in cruises both domestically and internationally. What is the "charm of sea travel" according to Hoshiba?

Cruises are categorized into classes, from luxury to premium and casual, and last month I enjoyed an ocean cruise in the upper premium class, from Bangkok, Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The greatest appeal of a cruise can be summed up in the phrase, "One hour on a plane is one day on a ship." While air travel is like traveling between points, a cruise offers the comfort of having a hotel that moves with you, allowing you to spend your time at a leisurely pace. Twelve hours on a plane becomes twelve days on a ship.

The story of Pelle Morbida's birth, now told.

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About eight years ago, I had a career change, and an acquaintance suggested I take a trip. So I took a cruise from Venice, Italy to Sicily, and then to Monaco. That trip was amazing, and I was so moved that I wanted to share the joy of sea travel with everyone. That was the origin of Pelle Morbida.

That cruise experience led to the creation of Pelle Morbida, as well as the radio program "World Cruise" and the magazine "Sette Mare," and Patrick's "Cruise Line" was also inspired by that cruise. That's how much that first cruise influenced my life; in a sense, it was a turning point and even changed my outlook on life.

The "Hoshiba Model" is the perfect companion for your life-changing journey.

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Pelle Morbida's first model was a very basic one called "Maiden Voyage," and since then, they have incorporated customer feedback to create "the best bag ever," such as lengthening the handles, adding hidden pockets, and using soft-touch artificial suede for the interior.

For the Spring/Summer 2018 season, the theme is "Amazon Cruise," but since it's based on a cruise, the color scheme naturally changes each season as we change the "destination of the ship," and there are many customers who look forward to that.

The "Hoshiba Model" I created this time was inspired by the color scheme of Santorini, Greece. Have you ever been to Santorini? It's an island surrounded by the Aegean Sea, and the contrast between the blue sea and white buildings is wonderful. I used that blue and white color scheme, and also made sure to create a soft image that would go well with jackets and trousers or denim.

With our custom order service, you can choose your favorite color scheme, so you can select the image colors of your favorite place or the colors that you felt when you visited that place. We think you'll feel a real attachment to your bag. You can also add lines as an option, and you can choose up to three letters or symbols.

Lessons learned from a cruise and a message for our customers

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I've experienced eight or nine cruises so far, and each time I think that the ability for people and scenery to become one and create "a beautiful landscape" comes from intelligence. Fashion is said to be about taste, but in reality, intelligence and knowledge are necessary before that.

For example, foreigners and couples traveling to Santorini enjoy coordinating their clothing and belongings to blend seamlessly with the blue and white landscape, but unfortunately, many Japanese tourists fall short in this regard. Being able to make your outfit blend into the scenery might be the key to being a skilled traveler.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how it's best to live life on your own terms. While cruises are often associated with retirement, it's better to travel to your favorite places, whenever you want, ideally from a young age. You really only live once.

We encourage you to discover the joys of sea travel through Pelle Morbida, experience it, be moved, and even faint from the experience!

Which do you choose: looks or functionality? What kind of business bag satisfies both?

"The Japanese word for 'bag' is written with characters meaning 'to wrap leather,' but at PELLE MORBIDA , since the brand's inception, we have focused on creating products that can be used in a variety of situations. Our business bags also reflect the diversification of work and the attention of women in the office, creating user-friendly designs that reflect the times," says Yoshimasa Hoshiba, who produces the brand. For businessmen who are looking to buy a new business bag for their new life starting this spring, Mr. Hoshiba and his stylist, Migita, discuss the latest trends in business bags.

Fashion director Yoshimasa Hoshiba and stylist Migita, who is in charge of men's bags on the first basement floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building

The "styling" camp and the "tools" camp are clearly divided.

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Ms. Hoshiba Migita is in charge of business bags. What kinds of requests and feedback do you receive most often from customers?
Migita: There are broadly two types of people who choose bags as part of their "styling," like belts and shoes, when wearing a suit. The other type is those who prioritize practicality and choose bags as a "tool" to carry necessary items such as PCs and tablets.
Hoshiba : I see. How would you categorize the two types using keywords?
Migita's "styling" approach prioritizes appearance, focusing on materials and colors. The "tool" approach emphasizes lightness, inner and outer pockets, and gusset width.
I understand Hoshiba's point of view , but it gives me the complete opposite impression.

Those who prefer the "styling" style of Migita's bag tend to favor leather over nylon, and lighter colors like gray are popular rather than classic colors like black or navy. Those who prefer the "tool" style need a bag that can fit not only a PC but also a lunchbox and water bottle, and 2-way or 3-way bags with a wide base and versatile carrying options are popular.
Listening to Mr. Hoshiba's explanation, it's clear that customer needs reflect the times.
Those who wear suits to work already own black or navy bags, so they focus on different colors. Those who are allowed to wear casual attire such as jackets and trousers pay attention to features like utility outer pockets and the number of inner pockets.
Hoshiba: The diversification of work in today's era is clearly reflected in how people choose their bags.

What is currently required of business bags?

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Briefcase: ¥51,840 (28 x 40 x 13 cm)

Hoshiba: Today I'm wearing a classic suit, but a while ago I would have paired it with a square leather attaché case or a heavy doctor's bag, but that doesn't fit at all in this day and age.
Migita: While it's true that some people who prioritize style also prefer leather, they are very sensitive to lightness and size. In addition to bright colors, they often ask for "a lighter, more user-friendly bag."
Men who wear suits to work have always owned high-quality bags, but now, with the increasing number of women in the workforce, they are paying considerable attention to their style as well. Since there are many women in the company, I think that in addition to their own perspective on "styling," they are also being judged by others' perspectives on fashion, which is clearly reflected in customer feedback.
Those who are concerned about their styling will carefully check the balance in the mirror while holding their bag.
What are some characteristics of people who use drying equipment?


The men at Migita 's office have a relaxed dress code and often work in ribbed pants, jeans, and sneakers, so they prefer nomadic, functional, and mobile designs and materials.
The name Hoshiba Kaban literally means "to wrap leather," but at Pelle Morbida, since the brand's inception, we have focused on creating products that can be used in a variety of situations. It may seem that those who prioritize style and those who prioritize functionality have different requirements, but in short, it all boils down to "lightness, durability, and color."
Migita: That's right. Pelle Morbida interpreted those three elements and created a briefcase exclusively for Isetan Shinjuku.

A bag that embodies "Well Balance" in the business world.

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Briefcase: ¥51,840 (28 x 40 x 13 cm)

In this day and age, the style of your work and industry is clearly reflected in the bag you choose, so we've incorporated a "Well Balance" that's perfect for today's businessmen into this briefcase. While the Japanese word for "work" literally means "to do something," for businessmen, "whether or not their appearance conveys trustworthiness" is extremely important. Since this is a bag you'll use for work, choose it without compromise.
Righta: If I were to list the selling points of this briefcase, first of all it would be the material. It's a combination of nylon and shrink leather made from cowhide, but this nylon material has a leather-like appearance and is a highly regarded nylon used in other Pelle Morbida models as well. Customers are surprised by how light it is when they hold it, despite its high-quality appearance.


The nylon material used is "Saffiano Davis" from Limonta, an Italian company. Although it is nylon, it has a luxurious feel similar to embossed leather, resulting in a more refined finish than regular nylon, and it is lighter than using leather throughout. The main body is made of scratch-resistant shrink leather, creating a soft form.
Since it 's a business bag, it's primarily designed to be carried by hand using the handles, but the shoulder strap is convenient for commuting by bicycle or for business trips.
A shoulder strap is essential for variations in how you carry the bag . The bag's design has been carefully crafted so that when worn diagonally across the body, it follows the curve of the body's lines, resulting in a neat and stylish look.

The front outer pocket, which customers often mention as a concern, makes it easy to put in and take out commuter passes and smartphones, and together with the side pockets, you'll be glad it's there! The interior is lined with a suede-like fabric for a luxurious feel, and it's padded so you can safely store a PC or tablet.
In addition to the drying area , there are also bottom studs, which are something Japanese businessmen are particular about.
Besides its self- supporting nature, many people surprisingly prefer not to place their bags directly on the floor or ground, so the wide base, along with the bag's width, is an important factor when making a purchase.
The design of the Hoshiba bag itself is free of unnecessary bulk, yet it has a large capacity, so please check it out in stores to see for yourself how it doesn't feel bulky when you hold it.

Also noteworthy are the leather bags, which feature a soft texture.

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As part of the new collection from Hoshiba Pelle Morbida, a briefcase made of scratch-resistant embossed leather and equipped with a carry-on suitcase belt on the back as standard.
The embossed leather used by Migita is scratch-resistant and easy to maintain, making it very practical. I think this new model is perfect for business people who travel frequently.
Mr. Hoshiba Migita said that "recently, those who prioritize styling choose brighter colors rather than black or navy," and at Pelle Morbida, we are also focusing on variations of gray and navy. For example, with gray, we have a very wide range of shades from light gray to charcoal gray and dark gray, and we want people to carry our bags, which are carefully selected for their brightness and saturation, in a stylish way.

Briefcase: ¥58,320 (30 x 40 x 10 cm)
Purchase here

Right, especially for the upcoming spring and summer seasons, brighter colors will match your outfit well.
Hoshiba : Enjoying those changes in color is where your sense of style really shines. Leather is a wonderful material that you can enjoy as it ages, and you grow attached to it as you use it and it becomes more familiar to you. Pelle Morbida's leather bags have rounded corners that create a soft look. Enjoy the design as well as how the leather softens over time.

Hoshiba's expert advice! Summer outfits featuring the new tote and mini shoulder bags.

"I work 355 days a year, and spend the remaining 10 days on a cruise," says Yoshimasa Hoshiba , producer of the bag brand PELLE MORBIDA . "This season's PELLE MORBIDA theme is 'Amazon Cruise,' and the appeal of cruising is that you can go to almost anywhere in the world by ship. Even in the Amazon, you can enjoy a river cruise in a safe environment, which is why it's so popular," he explains. For a summer cruise, he chose a tote bag and a mini shoulder bag made of a cotton-linen blend that exude a summery feel.

Cruises are so amazing that you'll definitely faint if you go.

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When I say, "I love cruise travel," people who have never been on a ship often say things like, "That's such a fancy thing to say..." or "I want to go on a ship, but I don't know how to get started." However, a female staff member joined the editorial department of Kodansha's web magazine "FORZA STYLE," where I am the editor-in-chief, and when I sent her on a cruise to cover it, she came back ecstatic, saying, "You can't understand the charm of it unless you go on one!" (laughs).

When you're on a ship, your journey isn't a series of points but a continuous "line," giving you the feeling of tracing a globe with a line, and helping you understand that the Earth is round. It's very safe on a ship, and time is valued, so it's easy to see why it's called the "essence of travel." Pelle Morbida is a brand created with the hope that you can experience the wonder of such a sea voyage through this bag. Experience travel on the sea with this bag.

New tote and mini shoulder bags that can be shared and enjoyed by both men and women.

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The tote bag and mini shoulder bag (sacoche) featured here are made from a canvas-linen material with natural, deep colors that evoke the relaxed feeling of a resort. The slightly rough, summery texture is wrinkle-resistant even with heavy use, and the PU coating on the surface makes it stain-resistant. Both items combine canvas-linen material with Pelle Morbida's popular shrink leather, adding an elegant and stylish touch. They can be shared by both men and women to enjoy coordinating their outfits.

A tote bag perfect for sightseeing at ports of call during a cruise.

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Tote bag: 38,880 yen

This tote bag is made from a single piece of fabric, making it very lightweight. The opening has a magnetic button closure for easy use while traveling. The interior is made of 100% cotton, and the piping tape is white, expressing a light and airy summer feel. It has enough storage capacity to hold things you tend to carry a lot in the summer, such as water bottles, hand towels, and antiperspirant. True to Pelle Morbida's attention to form, the sides are slightly curved inward, and the handles are made of soft leather. A leather patch charm is included, adding to its casual feel. It's perfect for a relaxed summer cruise.

Quickly slip in your precious belongings and head out into the streets of a foreign city.

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Mini shoulder bag: 31,320 yen

This mini shoulder bag has a slim profile and a compact size, yet it's a convenient size that can hold not only small items like a wallet, smartphone, and notebook, but also an iPad. The front pocket, which is handy for storing small items like tickets and coupons, features the characteristic generous curves of Pelle Morbida, inspired by waves. The shoulder strap is detachable, so it can also be used as a clutch while traveling, making it appealing for casual use during meals on board a ship.

As the director of Pelle Morbida, I often get asked, "Why do you change your bag with the seasons?" My answer is, "Japanese people cherish the four seasons, so enjoying seasonal items in all aspects of life—clothing, food, and shelter—is ingrained in our DNA, and we know firsthand how this enriches our lifestyle."


Clothes, bags, and shoes that are perfect for spring somehow feel heavy now that the sun's rays are getting stronger. Since this feeling of heaviness can easily weigh down your mood, lighter colors and cooler materials are just right. They also create a lighter impression on others.

A guide to styling the new tote and mini shoulder bags in the Hoshiba style.

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Hoshiba's style: Coordination using new tote and mini shoulder bags.

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Mr. Hoshiba, who covered a cruise from Bangkok, Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in January of this year, commented: "The cruise was with Oceania Cruises, also known as a 'gourmet journey.' Master chef Jacques Pepin is a world-renowned chef who has served as the private chef for many French leaders, including former President de Gaulle, and the menus he has created are known to be among the best at sea. Cruises have many different features like this, so it's not just about traveling by ship, but also an opportunity to enjoy fashion, such as dressing up for dinner or changing your attire depending on the route."

This time, Mr. Hoshiba guides us through summer outfits that would go well with Pelle Morbida tote bags and mini shoulder bags, imagining an "Amazon cruise." The items were selected at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 5th floor = Business Clothing.

The theme for my cruise outfit is "Classic Colonial."

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I don't like styling with lots of colors, and since my Pelle Morbida tote and mini shoulder bag already use two colors with the combination of body and shrink leather, I tried a "colonial" style by adding some brown and khaki tones that I'm interested in this season.

For an Amazon cruise look, choose colors found in nature, such as the beige and white of dry earth and sand, and the green and khaki of plants. Combine these with classic designs like a Capri shirt and pleated pants for a "classic colonial" look, and finish off with Gurkha sandals for a perfect summer resort style.