At Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , we have commissioned custom wallets from two highly popular brands known for their serious approach to craftsmanship, with meticulous attention to stitching and the leather they use: the Japanese brand GANZO and the British brand ETTINGER . These compact, high-quality wallets perfectly reflect current wallet trends and will be available for purchase from March 20th (Wednesday, public holiday).


"We had Ettinger and Ganzo create a special edition wallet for us," says Miyashita, buyer in charge of men's accessories on the first floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . "It's a minimalist design that's on trend, and the price is in the 50,000 yen range ."
Three people—buyer Miyashita, representing the 30s and in charge of leather goods, and stylists Takahashi and Usuki, representing the 20s—have analyzed the compact wallets from Ettinger and Ganzo , which are crafted from soft and supple leather, from four different perspectives!

A bifold wallet completely original, based on the GANZO design.

This is a completely original, custom-made bi-fold wallet created by GANZO , a leading Japanese leather brand, exclusively for Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .
The exquisite grained leather from Dupuy, a world-renowned calfskin tannery, enhances the high level of Japanese craftsmanship. While Ganzo 's regular products use tough leathers such as bridle leather and cordovan, this custom-made wallet has an elegant finish that even women can carry.
The beautiful stitching and thin edge finishing are typical of GANZO , and it can hold banknotes, coins, and cards in a well-balanced way.

design

Miyashita: I requested a completely original square design. You can see the impeccable sewing technique that is befitting of a total leather brand.
Takahashi: I like that it's not the conventional horizontal type, but rather compact and minimalist in appearance.
Thin wood: It has a simple design that is easy for both men and women to use.

material

Miyashita: We use durable grained leather, but the thin and beautiful edge finish is also unique to GANZO .
Takahashi: It feels nice to the touch. It's soft leather that makes you want to keep touching it.
Thin wood: Made with shrink leather that is resistant to scratches, making it a durable choice for long-term use.

Storage capacity

Miyashita: The bill compartment opens wide and can be used in two sections, so you can separate bills from receipts and other items.
Takahashi: I use a lot of cards, so this card storage is great. The fact that it's easy to take them out is also well thought out!
Usuki: It has a design that allows you to put in lots of cards and makes them easy to see and take out .

Compactness

Miyashita: This wallet has a smart image that you won't find in Ganzo 's ready-made line.
Takahashi: It's so thin! The fact that it doesn't bulge out much when you put it in your pocket is definitely a key point when choosing it.
Usuki: It's incredibly thin, so I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a compact wallet!

View GANZO products at the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store.

ETTINGER 's tri-fold wallet made of nubuck leather – a material that seems like it should exist but didn't.

Ettinger , a prestigious leather brand with a Royal Warrant, has created a completely custom-made product that you wouldn't expect to find.
For the first time in the brand's history, nubuck leather has been used, and full-grain leather with a longer nap has been chosen for durability so that it can be used on both sides. Both the interior and exterior are all black, resulting in a finish that is unique even for a brand that is known for its bicolor designs.
At Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building Ettinger 's most popular item is the bridle leather bifold wallet, but this time I ordered the small trifold type.

design

Miyashita: The shape is a popular design from Ettinger , but this time we replaced the leather with nubuck. The compact, rounded shape and the nubuck go together perfectly.
Takahashi: I've never used a trifold wallet myself, but it seems convenient because you can quickly take out coins without opening the whole thing when you only want to use them! The button has some decoration, but I like that it's simple and understated.
Usuki: It has a cute, rounded look. The tri-fold design is also popular in stores♪

material

Miyashita: This is a rare item at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , using nubuck leather for both the exterior and interior, and it comes in one style and all-black color.
Takahashi: The matte finish gives it a luxurious feel! It's quite unusual!
Usuki: Wallets made with nubuck are very rare. It's a material that isn't currently available in the leather goods section on the 1st floor Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , so it's recommended for people looking for a gift that won't be the same as everyone else's.

Storage capacity

Miyashita: We've ensured just the right amount of storage space for those who regularly use cashless payment methods.
Takahashi: Since there aren't many card slots, it seems like it would be more convenient for people who carry around around five cards .
Thin wood: Allows for neat and separate storage of coins, bills, and cards.

Compactness

Miyashita: We've designed it to be a size that's easy for men to put in their back pockets.
Takahashi: I usually carry a small drawstring bag with me, so I'm happy that it's a size that doesn't take up much space when I put it in there!
Thin wood: It's thick, but small in size and easy to use.

View ETTINGER products at the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store.

Furthermore, spring is the season when the desire for a new wallet intensifies. Why not prepare for lucky days such as "Tensha-nichi," a day when everything is said to turn out for the better ; "Tora- no-hi," an auspicious day closely associated with increased wealth; and "Ichiryu-manbai-bi," a day when small expenses or actions are said to return tens of thousands of times over, by getting a new wallet?

Related Articles: • [Feature] A thorough explanation of the appeal of ETTINGER leather goods, perfect for gentlemen!
• Q&A | How to care for leather wallets by material? My leather wallet, which I've used for about 3 years, has changed this much!
・What are the best days in 2024 to buy a new wallet or other items, such as the "Ichiryu Manbai Day," "Tensha Day," "Tiger Day," and "Snake Day"?

View the "mini wallet" product list at the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store.

Text: Makoto Kajii
Photograph: Tatsuya Ozawa (Studio Mug)

＊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.

For inquiries, please contact Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F, Leather Goods, Tel: 03-3352-1111 (Main number)
For inquiries via email, please click here.