With spring in full swing and lighter clothing becoming the norm, a tote bag is the perfect everyday companion, whether for work or leisure. Its wide opening makes it easy to put things in and take them out, and the lack of internal dividers means you can simply throw in everything you need for the day and head out—the perfect time for travel and outings, Golden Week, is bringing you THE TOTE, featuring tote bags.

At Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F, many women visit the bag section looking for tote bags that are both stylish and practical, and that can be used by both men and women. This time, we've refocused on tote bags that are suitable for the lifestyle of the new era, and delved deeper into the advantages of tote bags that can be immediately put to use!

This time, we'll be showcasing various tote bags based on the theme, "How would someone working at Mitsukoshi Isetan use a tote bag?"

Model Introduction

Related article: [Series] A peek inside the personal belongings of Isetan employees! Favorite spring items "#IsetanMens' Favorite Items"

1. Canvas tote bag that can be shared.

This season's tote bag trend features a combination of canvas and leather! We'll be showcasing updated versions of our long-standing popular "classic" models from Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F, as well as our top pick new items. Available in horizontal, square, and vertical styles, these are all versatile bags that you can share with your partner.

PELLE MORBIDA

This bag is a canvas version of the brand's best-selling tote bag, the "ST003." The bottom features Morbida's signature detail, inspired by the hull of a ship, and the silhouette can be adjusted with the inner belt.

This product uses a thick, textured Japanese fabric with a chambray-like appearance created by changing the warp thread color. A semi-transparent PVC sheet is laminated to the fabric, giving it firmness and body. After the lamination process, the fabric is tightly compressed, causing the PVC sheet to adhere to the fabric, resulting in a coating that preserves the canvas-like texture. The coating makes the fabric stain-resistant, and the leather parts are available in four colors: black, blue, orange, and white.

"The contents of my tote bag are my personal belongings for work. Essential items for work are my business card holder and my Smythson chain-attached smartphone case. The smartphone case holds my company phone and card case. My makeup pouch is quite large."

The navy case holds cash, regular medications, and even a stain remover pen for clothes. Masks, disinfectant wipes, linen handkerchiefs, and thick towels are also essential.

With the trend towards streamlining our belongings, not carrying a bag or opting for compact sizes has become popular, but I prefer to carry everything with me for peace of mind.

"I choose something that can hold my belongings well and that I can use for a long time." (Neriki)

ETiAM

ETiAM is a Tokyo-based bag brand that was founded in 2020. It is characterized by its unisex, streamlined, and three-dimensional silhouettes. This new item is a canvas version of their classic Flexi Tote bag. This time, we've prepared a special color combination using deep blue leather. It's available in two sizes to suit your needs.

Felisi

Felisi's new collection features unisex sizing and color options, perfect for sharing with your partner. It boasts a user-friendly snap closure and a removable interior pouch. The bag is constructed from three layers: cotton canvas on the outside with a PVC and polyurethane bonding material in the center, and a thin cotton canvas lining. Available in two colors perfect for the upcoming season: taupe and blue.

Chambord Sellier

Chambord Sellier is a leather goods brand founded in 1947. Chambord, a town in the Loire Valley of France, flourished as part of the French Kingdom from the 15th century and is known for its thriving saddlery industry. Chambord Sellier carries on the tradition of saddlers, the origin of leather craftsmanship, and continues to create timeless and noble bags by hand in France, using horseshoes and saddles as motifs.The new BUSSE is a simple vertical tote bag, a model characterized by its simple yet distinctive Chambord silhouette.

2. Tote bags made from different materials to add color to your daily life

When we think of situations where tote bags are most useful, we often picture them for everyday use. Whether it's packing all the essentials you need for the day, or anticipating changes in weather and packing an outer layer, umbrella, or a change of clothes, a tote bag's "all-in-one" functionality is incredibly versatile. Tote bag materials have expanded beyond canvas, offering even more freedom in terms of materials, colors, and shapes!

texnh

<texnh/Techne>, meaning "the perfect fusion of intellect, technology, and art" in Greek, is a product brand that re-examines the meaning of product existence in today's world where reality and virtuality are ambiguously intertwined. Its motto is to create value not as an abstract image, but as "something that is definitely there." As a Tokyo-based product brand, it utilizes sustainable materials and technologies to release a variety of products including bags, accessories, and apparel.

This tote bag, designed to resemble a glass boat floating on the sea, embodies the concept of "coexistence between natural and man-made materials," featuring a unique structure where clear PVC and cotton canvas are sewn together alternately. This product, a texnh-style twist on a classic tote bag, is available in three colors: classic black and white, and a green perfect for the upcoming season.

"Even when I'm off duty, I find tote bags really convenient because I can easily pack a lot of things into them, like water bottles and perfume in its original bottle."

I use fragrance mist when I want to lightly wear a scent while I'm out and about. I also always keep hand cream, an eco-bag, and a notebook in my bag because I use them to plan my trips at cafes.

"When I'm off duty, I like bags made of rattan and other materials, and I also like to carry bags made of seasonal materials and those with patterns created by skilled artisans. This green PVC bag is a beautiful color, too." (Neriki)

CAHU

CAHU is a brand founded by a woman working as a stylist in Paris, inspired by the PVC canvas material used in her family's bouncy castle business (inflatable play equipment shaped like castles). Drawing on her experience and sense in the fashion industry, the brand's products mainly consist of tote bags made from lightweight PVC and leather, featuring timeless shapes, vivid and unique color schemes. With three sizes available, two handle lengths for both shoulder and hand carrying, lightweight materials, and a wide range of colors, the bags are designed to be versatile and meet a variety of needs.

3. A simple leather tote bag that you'll never tire of.

Leather is what elevates the sophistication of a tote bag. Leather totes are appealing because they are robust, durable, and a perfect match for business attire. With proper care, you can enjoy the unique aging process of leather, and the feeling of it becoming more familiar to your hands will turn into a sense of attachment.

Masumi Bag

With the theme of "valuable items for a lifetime," Masumi Kaban continues to pursue the essence of craftsmanship. With technology and aesthetic sense befitting its 108-year history, the brand delivers products that you will naturally want to keep carrying. The tote bag introduced here from the brand creates a minimalist and sophisticated image when worn. The body is made of natural shrink leather with a supple thickness and a high-quality touch, creating elegant curves, while the handles and corner parts of the body are made of fine-grained calf leather. The fine stitching creates delicate lines, and the contrast between the shrink and smooth leather accentuates its elegance. The handles, with their length, texture, and attachment angle all carefully calculated, make them easy to use when worn on the shoulder.
It comes in two colors: black and navy.

" When it comes to leather goods, not just bags, I try to choose minimalist and simple designs. I believe that by setting a theme for the colors of the accessories and the texture of the leather, I can create a unique worldview. This time, I coordinated a three-piece set (money clip, glasses case, and coin case) to match the bag. The wide opening makes it easy to take in and out my laptop, which is essential for work, and that's another attractive feature. " (Kuchimoto)

Related article: [Series] A peek inside the personal belongings of Isetan employees! Favorite spring items "#IsetanMens' Favorite Items"

FOWLER by boldrini

FOWLER, a leather brand launched in Japan in 2020 with the aim of becoming a brand that is loved for a long time, creates products based on the concept of "new basics," which are high-quality items that blend naturally into simple styling and elevate outfits, while adding modern functionality and design elements. The products are created based on the director's own experience working with bags.

This tote bag, specially ordered from a long-established, prestigious Italian factory, is a simple, single-piece leather tote bag whose greatest appeal lies in its unadorned simplicity. The material is cowhide leather from Mouflone, an Italian leather that has been lightly embossed in-house.

FUJITAKA

This utility tote bag is designed with sharing in mind. Featuring a soft texture and vibrant Italian leather, it complements a wide range of styles, from casual to business casual. The vertical design, large enough to hold A4 size documents, creates a perfectly balanced casual look for both work and leisure. This season features a lineup of six gradient colors, perfect for spring and summer. With its rich color variations and 2-way design including a shoulder strap, this versatile tote bag is ideal for couples, spouses, and families to share.

4. A cleverly designed tote bag that can be used seamlessly.

For those who want a tote bag that can be used for both business and casual occasions, we've found the perfect one! The "Bambino" model from ACATE , born in Italy, features a fresh design with its calm olive green shrink leather and drawstring detail. The S.MANO tote bag is reversible, in black and camel, so you can use it depending on your mood.

ACATE

 

This tote bag from ACATE is the most casual and easy-to-use design. The drawstring closure gives it a unisex feel. By folding the opening inward, you can use it in a way that suits your preferences depending on the occasion and your outfit.

" When I want to refresh myself after work, I go to a public bathhouse instead of a trendy sauna. Since the shared space is limited in public bathhouses, I was looking for a bag that was both functional for easy access and had a compact design. This bag is a drawstring type, so it seems like it will fulfill that wish. The interior is also designed to be divided into smaller compartments, so I think I can separate items according to their purpose, and I'm looking forward to using it. " (Kuchimoto)

S.MANO

Named after the Italian phrase "Speciale Mano," meaning "special handcraft," S.MANO is a luggage brand that fuses high-quality craftsmanship rooted in Italy with modernly updated designs. Rather than being swayed by trends and fads, it firmly inherits past heritage, reinterprets the present, and creates new standards, producing sophisticated products that can become cherished partners for a long time.

This time, we're introducing a new model made with our classic Italian shrink leather, featuring a natural grain. It's a reversible item that can be used depending on your mood or the occasion, and with reversibility in mind, we had the rivets on the handle custom-made from scratch, featuring the logo on both sides.

5. A versatile tote bag perfect for travel and business trips.

We introduce tote bags that combine the creativity and craftsmanship of each brand, incorporating features that will make you say, "That's clever!" These support bags, which can be used for quick errands like meals when you unpack your luggage while traveling or on business trips, are a great unsung hero when you're out and about.

TOMOE

This is a lightweight, minimalist 2-way tote bag that's easy and convenient to use. Made with double-faced leather and featuring a minimalist design without interior lining, it's lightweight and boasts a unique TOMOE-style strap that allows it to be used as both a handbag and a shoulder bag. It also features one open pocket on the outside and one on the inside for added functionality. The double-faced leather, with its textured exterior and colored film lining, offers a variety of looks.

" When I travel, whether domestically or internationally, I use my hotel as a base and go for walks. I try to keep my belongings to a minimum, so in winter it's usually just enough to fit in the pockets of my outerwear. The problem is in the summer when I'm wearing lighter clothing. I sometimes make impulse purchases of souvenirs during unexpected encounters while walking around, so I was looking for something like an eco-bag. This bag is adjustable, so it seems like it can flexibly accommodate the amount and way of carrying things depending on the purpose. It's definitely an item I'd like to use when traveling. " (Kuchimoto)

FUJITAKA

This versatile leather tote bag, designed to suit your lifestyle, features a two-tone design on one side and a chic solid color on the other. It's foldable for easy carrying, making it perfect for daily use on business trips or travel. The interior has pockets for storing small items, and the handles are adjustable to three different lengths. The B5 size is ideal for notebooks and tablets, while the A4 size is perfect for larger items.

MANIUNO

MANIUNO is a brand that combines the Italian words "mani," meaning "hand," and "uno," meaning "one and only." By freely combining materials and parts created by various artisans and artists, a unique bag unlike any other is born.

This time, we're introducing a mini tote bag made from eco-leather with a distinctive surface finish. It can easily fit a long wallet and comfortably hold a 500ml water bottle. Despite its compact design, it boasts ample storage capacity, making it perfect for travel. It also works well as a secondary bag and even as a golf cart bag.

6. Customizable tote bags to suit your preferences.

For customers who want an original tote bag that reflects their own style, especially since it's so easy to use, we recommend custom orders. OHBA , where skilled craftsmen handcraft each bag from material selection to the final process, and ACATE , which combines Japanese aesthetics with Italian craftsmanship and sensibility, can accommodate your preferred order.

Ohba Seikaban

This is a weekend order event for leather items from the popular "European Calf" leather series, a material highly favored for daily use. The "craftsmanship" and "tailoring" are unique to a leather manufacturer, and the designs are those that only skilled leather craftsmen can achieve. Techniques such as flat-stitched seams that utilize the cut edges, pinched stitching to join the edges, edge finishing, and three-dimensional shaping through perforation are shapes and designs that cannot be achieved by sewing manufacturers that handle miscellaneous materials.

During this special order event, you can order the main body, handle, and other accessories in different colors.

ACATE

We will be holding a custom order event for the brand's most popular model, the flap tote "OSTRO". You can choose the colors of four parts: the handle, flap, body, base, and tassel. We also have custom-order exclusive colors that are not used in our regular products. In addition to the S size shown in the image, a larger M size is also available for order.

Related article: The highly sought-after Unknown Products leather paper bag, exclusively at Isetan Shinjuku Store is back in stock! | THE TOTE

Photo: Yusuke Iida
Text: Makoto Kajii

＊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.
*Some errors were found in the text, and it has now been corrected. April 19, 2024