2022.11.02 update

An Isetan buyer reveals the appeal of "Men's Store Exclusive Leather Goods." What makes these popular brands' best-selling items stand out?



Leather accessories are chosen with a wide variety of uses, sizes, and specifications. Wallets and business card holders are items we use every day and want to use for a long time, but when it comes to choosing them, we don't want to have the same thing as everyone else. That's where Isetan's limited edition items come in. Aoto, the men's accessories buyer at ISETAN MEN'S , who plans these limited edition items, focuses on "Isetan-style specifications and colors that adults can carry with confidence." We'll unravel the appeal of limited edition items from three popular brands that have distinctive features.

  1. Developing custom-made products further emphasizes the brand's strengths.
  2. ETTINGER | The "adult Ettinger" with British Green interior lining is a huge hit!
  3. Whitehouse Cox | This season sees the debut of limited edition items. The "two-tone leather" design, unavailable anywhere else, is perfect for adults.
  4. THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE | The popular limited edition color is dark navy. The sophisticated navy stands out beautifully against the cordovan leather.



Developing custom-made products further emphasizes the brand's strengths.

"With the spread of smartphone apps and IC cards, cashless payments are becoming more common, but for men, wallets and business card holders are changing from items that prioritize functionality to items that are seen as accessories and coordinating accessories," says buyer Aoto.

"Japanese people still have a strong preference for cash, and while wallets are becoming more compact, their functionality is also evolving. The smallest size wallet, '10 x 10 cm,' which can hold banknotes folded in half, is gaining popularity, while those who don't want to fold their banknotes choose long wallets. There are definitely individual preferences for how people use them, and furthermore, adult men are looking for good leather goods that look cool or elegant when they casually take them out in public," he continues.

Regarding ISETAN MEN'S exclusive items, they recommend them by saying, "Taking into account the characteristics of such items, we have created limited edition items with three brands: ETTINGER and Whitehouse Cox , both popular British brands for men and renowned for their bridle leather, and THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE, a Japanese brand that specializes in cordovan. We are focusing on 'limited color' items that look great and are made from high-quality materials that will last a long time. By leveraging the strengths of each brand and appealing to customers with unique materials and color patterns, these items will be appreciated as gifts."


ETTINGER | The "adult Ettinger" with British Green interior lining is a huge hit!



Founded in 1934 in London, England, ETTINGER is a leather brand that exudes a unique luster that gives off an air of sophistication when carried by a mature man. The bridle leather develops a more attractive patina with use, establishing its position as a "leather accessory that complements a suit."

Bicolor wallets with contrasting interior linings are popular items, but for the Isetan exclusive, a British green color reminiscent of British style has been ordered. It has been well-received, with customers saying, "It's very elegant when you open the wallet," and it's also popular as a wallet to show off.


Left: ETTINGER/Ettinger ISETAN MEN'S Store Limited Edition Bi-fold Wallet with Coin Purse ¥50,600

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This bi-fold wallet uses the same calf leather as the popular Sterling series, but with a chic navy interior. A classic men's wallet, the bi-fold is easy to slip into a bag or pocket and is a best-selling wallet that's perfect for seasons when you carry fewer items.



Center: ETTINGER/Ettinger ISETAN MEN'S Store Limited Edition Business Card Holder ¥33,000

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Similar to the bifold wallet, this business card holder has a navy interior. It's a popular color, yet a unique color combination that's typical of ISETAN MEN'S . The card case is the "143," a representative model of ETTINGER known for its slim design, and has two compartments each on the top and bottom, making it ideal for separating your own business cards from those you receive. The main compartment can hold about 30 cards.


Right: ETTINGER/Ettinger ISETAN MEN'S exclusive long wallet with coin purse, 59,400 yen

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This Isetan-exclusive long wallet features ETTINGER 's signature bridle leather on the exterior and bottle green, a color that can be considered symbolic of Britain, on the interior. Designed to fit a 10,000 yen bill, it's a minimalist new standard with a zippered coin pocket, a gusseted bill compartment, three flat pockets, and space for five cards.


□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1F Leather Goods / Mitsukoshi Isetan Online

View ETTINGER catalog on Mitsukoshi Isetan Online.



Whitehouse Cox | This season sees the debut of limited edition items. The "two-tone leather" design, unavailable anywhere else, is perfect for adults.


Since its founding in 1875, Whitehouse Cox has continued to produce a variety of leather goods, including equestrian equipment and sophisticatedly designed belts, bags, and wallets. Strong and durable English bridle leather is synonymous with the brand.

This season's first-ever Isetan-exclusive item features a black bridle leather exterior and an antique bridle leather interior. It boasts an antique brown hue that appears to have deepened naturally with age, and its two-tone design is unavailable anywhere else.

Furthermore, the popular mini trifold wallet from Whitehouse Cox will also be available for a limited time, expanding the range of items you can choose from.

 

Left: Whitehouse Cox/Whitehouse Cox Isetan Shinjuku Store Limited Edition Card Case ¥24,200

This card case, with its gusseted design, offers ample storage despite its compact size, featuring a total of seven pockets including a pocket on the back. It can hold credit cards, everyday essentials, and a minimum amount of folded banknotes, making it a minimalist wallet perfectly suited to a cashless society.



Center: Whitehouse Cox/Whitehouse Cox Isetan Shinjuku Store Limited Edition Bi-fold Wallet ¥46,200

This wallet maintains a compact size while offering two separate compartments for easy storage of coins, cards, and receipts. Its design, which allows for the minimum necessary storage for everyday use, makes it a best-selling model in Whitehouse Cox lineup.

Right: Whitehouse Cox/Whitehouse Cox Isetan Shinjuku Store Limited Edition Tri-fold Mini Wallet ¥35,200

The "S3253 “MINI” 3FOLD WALLET" is a smaller version of Whitehouse Cox 's flagship and most popular trifold wallet. The previously generous "play" in the card and coin compartments has been redesigned to be more user-friendly and compact, improving portability. Furthermore, the reduced number of card slots makes it a more practical trifold wallet for today's lifestyle.


□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor, Leather Goods

View Whitehouse Cox products on Mitsukoshi Isetan Online.

THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE | The popular limited edition color is dark navy. The sophisticated navy stands out beautifully against the cordovan leather.


THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE is a Japanese brand that manufactures its products in Japan using cordovan and horsehide. The cordovan used for the exterior of the items is an original collected grain cordovan made by "Shinki Hikaku" that pursues both beauty and durability. Compared to ordinary cordovan, it is a highly durable cordovan that is more resistant to scratches and drying over time and has enhanced water repellency.

THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE 's cordovan is a rare leather made from high-quality European raw hides, tanned over a long period of approximately 300 days. It has a smooth feel and a beautiful, highly transparent color. The luster deepens with use.

The Isetan-exclusive items feature cordovan leather specially made in a sophisticated "dark navy" color. This leather, known worldwide as the "diamond of leathers," now boasts an even deeper and richer look.

Left: THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE / ISETAN MEN'S Limited Edition Cordovan Bi-fold Mini Wallet ¥44,000

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This mini wallet is made with limited-edition cordovan leather from Mitsukoshi Isetan. While compact wallets often have a casual look, the use of elegant cordovan material gives it a luxurious presence. Despite its small size, it features a bill compartment that easily fits 10,000 yen bills, a gusseted coin pocket for easy viewing, and six card slots. Its compact design, compared to typical bi-fold wallets, makes it easy to fit into a suit's breast pocket or trouser pocket, making it a popular gift item.



Center: THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE / ISETAN MEN'S Store Limited Edition Cordovan Round Zip Long Wallet ¥89,100

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This round-zip long wallet is made with cordovan leather in a color exclusive to Mitsukoshi Isetan. The exterior is luxuriously crafted using a single large piece of high-quality cordovan leather, and the interior is also made entirely of horsehide leather for high durability. The zipper is also a high-quality YKK Excella zipper. The interior has a coin purse in the center, three bill compartments, side pockets, and 20 card slots. The round-zip design accommodates a large capacity and also features a wide gusset for ease of use.

Right: THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE / ISETAN MEN'S Store Limited Edition Cordovan Bi-fold Wallet with Round Zip Coin Purse ¥55,000

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Although categorized as a compact wallet, it boasts an excellent design with separate compartments for bills, coins, and cards, offering both ample storage and user-friendliness. Bills can be stored without folding. The coin pocket is divided into two sections, and card pockets are also located on both sides. This item reflects the meticulous attention to detail of Japanese craftsmen.



□ Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1F Leather Goods / Mitsukoshi Isetan Online

View THE WARMTHCRAFTS-MANUFACTURE product list on Mitsukoshi Isetan Online.


Related feature: Whitehouse Cox releases limited-edition leather goods made with "bridle leather" exclusively Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building !
Whitehouse Cox 's final 2022 holiday line is here! A limited collection featuring the popular two-tone color scheme from the past.
Do you care for your leather goods? Or not? This is how much my leather wallet has changed after about 3 years of use.
How to choose the right men's wallet from the classic options: long wallets, bi-fold wallets, and mini wallets?

Text: Makoto Kajii
Photo: Yusuke Iida

*All prices include tax.
*The information in this article is current as of the time of publication. Product information may be revised or changed without notice.
*Mitsukoshi Isetan Remote Shopping is available here

For inquiries, please contact Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor, Leather Goods Department, Tel: 03-3352-1111 (Main number)
For inquiries via email, please click here.