The product manager explains the special features of our new leather backpack.
The recently launched leather backpack has been very well received.
We spoke to Minoru Ohira, the product manager, about the design features and appeal of the backpack.
[Staff Profile]
Minoru Ohira / HERALBONY Retail Director
Joined apparel manufacturer TOMORROWLAND as a new graduate in 2000. He was involved in store staff, women's MD, men's distributor, department store sales, and store development. During his time in the franchise department, he supported HERALBONY from 2023, following a collaboration at the Morioka store. He officially joined HERALBONY in October 2024 as MD and store manager.
A unique business backpack that can be shared with a partner
First, regarding the shape, we chose a well-balanced form that has ample capacity and looks good whether carried by a man or a woman. We made it a unisex size that can be shared with a partner.
In terms of functionality, it's not just the interior pockets and pen holders; the exterior also has pockets for a laptop, smartphone, or lip balm, which can be accessed while wearing the backpack, making it very convenient to use.
Additionally, it has a strap to attach to a carry-on suitcase handle, making it ideal for those who travel frequently for leisure or business.
Commitment to material and coloring
Regarding the material, we carefully selected fine-grained cowhide. Since it is relatively thin and soft, you will feel comfortable when you touch it. We made it from a single piece of leather so that there are no seams on the large front surface, and by creating a smooth, wrinkle-free surface, we utilized the texture of the material to match elegant and business styles.
For the colors, we chose black and brown to be suitable for business settings. While these two-color options often include dark brown, we opted for taupe, a so-called greige color. We selected a fashionable intermediate color that blends into urban scenes within a unisex color palette. I believe the backpack now seamlessly complements even high-quality coats.
And then there's the lining art. While we considered designs with contrasting elements, such as red art inside black, we deliberately chose chic art in a similar color to the outer fabric this time. This was done with ease of use in business settings in mind, but the art itself has a powerful presence, making it a HERALBONY-specific design that can be finished uniquely enough without trying too hard to be eccentric.
The thoughts behind the detailed design
A subtle detail is the included pass case. We created a simple design that fits well in business settings, but a plain backpack at first glance wouldn't be very HERALBONY-like. So, we intentionally made the included pass case with art on it to bring the art to the forefront. This actually increased the number of materials and production time, but it's a detail weこだわった to allow people to enjoy the art with affection.
Finally, a small detail, but we were very particular about the core material sandwiched between the leather and the lining. We looked for a core material that could provide both the softness for a pleasant touch and the firmness needed for the backpack to stand upright beautifully.
