Studio nendo reinterprets Longchamp's iconic Le Pliage bags
SINGAPORE — When Philippe Cassegrain created Le Pliage by Longchamp back in 1993, he was inspired by the ancient Japanese art of origami. Now a new collaboration, initiated by the next generation of Longchamp’s founding family, brings the iconic foldable bag full circle, as it is reinterpreted by the Tokyo-based design studio nendo.
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Nendo, which was founded in 2002 by Oki Sato, aims to create designs that generate what it calls “!” moments in everyday life. Its philosophy is based on reshaping everyday objects to make us look at them afresh, thus enriching our daily lives and experience. This ethos is clearly demonstrated by its intriguing reinterpretations of Le Pliage, which reveal this instantly recognizable object in an entirely new light. While the classic Le Pliage offers two distinct experiences–one when it is carried asa bag,the other when it is folded away – nendo’s designs introduce a third experience, reimagining the bags as functional, aesthetically pleasing storage objects to be placed around the home.
There are three variations on the theme: the first is a bag which - thanks to a removable, foldable stiffener–transforms not only into a cube that can be used for storage or transport, but also into a sturdy and spacious wide-bottomed holdall. The second is a cone-shaped bag with a single handle by which it can be either carried or hung from a hookor rail. Its leather top–referencing the signature flap of Le Pliage - opens easily to allow objects to be put in or taken out. The third is a circular bag inspired by traditional furoshiki folding cloths, which were widely used in Japan to carry objects before the popularization of Western-style bags. Like the furoshiki, it adapts to whatever it carries, resulting in total flexibility of function.
The Longchamp x nendo collection will be available in Singapore from 2nd July 2019 at Longchamp boutiques.
In this interview with nendo’s founder Oki Sato, we find out when the collaboration started and how he is like, as a traveller.
How did you collaborate on the creative process with Sophie Delafontaine?
Even though it was our first collaboration, the project felt very natural from the start, as if we had been working together for a long time. Sophie and I had many conversations about the proposal, and although I had a clear concept in mind when I received the brief, I could not have reached this final product without Sophie. Through this process, the experience of Longchamp – which they have developed over many years, such as usability and exquisite detailing – fused together with nendo’s approach naturally and comfortably. Every time I visited Longchamp, there were beautiful samples waiting for me, which made me excited to go to Paris.
What is your representation of the Longchamp brand? What does it evoke for you?
There is no doubt that, for Japanese people in general and for myself, Le Pliage is the first thing we associate with Longchamp. Le Pliage is a standard in Japan now, and it is not an exaggeration to say that there is no one who does not own one. It is so successful because each product is high quality and user-friendly, supported by real craftsmanship and a playfulness that is expressed in the wide variety of colours and patterns. With this collaboration, I wanted to enhance its appeal further by infusing a Japanese essence into a French brand.
What kind of traveller are you?
I travel outside Japan for about one-third of the year. If people ask where my home is, I would say hotels, airports or even aeroplanes! When I am travelling, I always have a bag with me – in other words, the bag is something I simply cannot live without, it’s like my “room”.
What is the story behind the circular bag? How is it used by Japanese people?
Before the popularization of Western-style bags, “furoshiki”, a traditional folding cloth, was standard in Japan. It is a simple, single piece of cloth in a regular square shape, which is used to wrap things for both carrying and storing. It can wrap anything, no matter what the shape. I found something in common between this and the functionality of Le Pliage, and I wanted to integrate elements of “furoshiki” with Le Pliage.
What is your favourite bag in the collection?
Every shape has its own unique story, and choosing any one of them as my favourite is impossible for me. That said, I like it when several shapes and colours are arranged like building blocks.
