Mr. Toyo Ito is Japanese architect.
Representative of Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects.
He is a world-renowned architect who has received numerous awards,
including the Pritzker Architecture Prize, known as the "Nobel Prize of architecture".
After more than a year of designing and developing,
it has finally been completed.
A tote bag and tote-style backpack in collaboration with
world-renowned architect Mr. Toyo Ito.
FUJITAKA meets Toyo Ito I-toto series
The reason for the delay
of more than a year between conception and development
Mr. Toyo Ito, a renowned architect who is actively involved in the architectural industry, had his own design sketches beginning the creation of the bag he wanted to carry. Mr. Ito and Fujitaka's designers and craftsmen from the company's factory had in-depth conversations to select materials and prepare samples. Fujitaka applied their accumulated know-how and technology to produce samples that Ito tested daily. The samples were reviewed and improved repeatedly, and the details were analyzed, and it took more than a year from conception to completion.FUJITAKA and craftsmen of our own factory met closely with Mr.Ito, making samples using the know-how and skills cultivated in FUJITAKA products, and then Mr. Ito actually used such sample for trial everyday. In each case, we modified and refined the sample until the details many times, we spent more than a year from the concept and finally completed.
The I-toto's form is characterized by its beauty, which takes full advantage of the material's ultimate simplicity and texture. The bag reflects the lifestyle of a top architect who is not willing to compromise.
A typical business bag for business trips is lined up and equipped with pockets to store many gadgets and tools. Mr. Ito doesn't need zipper pockets as it can quickly and efficiently store a change of clothes for short business trips, a laptop, and other work belongings. As Mr. Ito commented, "For this I-toto, we went back to the original spirit of the tote bag and designed the simplest and lightest bag using the finest leather. I already enjoy using it every day," he continues active around the world with this tote bag as his companion.
High quality soft leather
Our preference for Italian leather was based on the theme of “high quality soft leather”. This elegant cowhide leather meets the quality and safety standards because it was chrome-tanned from European raw hides by the largest tanner in Italy. In addition to the excellent color development that is unique to Italy, the water-based finish allows you to enjoy the original look of the leather and the changes that occur over time as you use it.
Make it as simple as possible
With the concept of “make it as simple as possible”, we luxuriously sew together a single piece of leather. To make the most of the texture of the leather, we do not add a lining (except for some parts that require reinforcement). And the main body is lightweight and soft, and the attachment parts of the handle and shoulder are firmly secured with leather to make them strong where force is applied.
Shape that naturally folds inward
Shape that naturally folds inward. We designed it so that it folds naturally with the weight of the shoulder D-ring, and we paid attention to the design that changes depending on the amount of storage, resulting in a compact form despite its capacity.
Various colors are available
In addition to chic colors, we also have unisex light colors like wine, orange, and white that women can wear.
Fit a 15-inch MacBook
The tote bag is sized to fit a 15-inch MacBook, which is used by many architects. In the tote bag, it can either be stored vertically or horizontally, while the tote-style backpack can only be stored vertically.
Storage function
The tote bag and tote-style backpack have pockets that can store small items to enhance functionality, and the stitching on the outside is also a design element.
The storage pockets are created to provide minimal storage functionality while being as simple as possible.
2-way design
The tote bag can also be used as a shoulder bag using the metal fittings on the edge near the top. The tote-style backpack, as it's named, can be used as a backpack or a tote bag depending on the situation.
This is the bag that
Mr. Toyo Ito pursued,
one that he really wants to carry
