The work and life of a person who spends time with 【 Attitude's bags] Vol. 1 Kohei Takehara

ATTITU is a modern brand of bags and small leather goods that inherits the spirit of Tsuchiya Bag Factory (hereinafter referred to as "Tsuchiya Bag"), which originated from a workshop established by a school bag craftsman in Tokyo. Based on the philosophy of making school bags, which can be said to be the first bag you will ever own in your life, ATTITU continues to produce items with minimalistic and functional designs.

In this series, we explore the appeal of *Attitude*—a brand that seamlessly integrates into everyday life—through the lives of four prominent figures. Our first guest is Kohei Takehara, the brand’s director. He shares insights into his work, his personal life, and his passion for the brand.

Photo_Haruto Inomata
Text_Akiko Maeda

A small “flash of inspiration” gained while reflecting on our lifestyle has become the cornerstone of our brand philosophy.

—I understand that after working as a buyer for a select shop for many years, you joined Tsuchiya Kaban Seisakusho. Are there any aspects of that experience that you’ve been able to apply to bag making?

Takahara: I believe that the most important thing is for both clothing and bags to naturally fit into the user’s daily life, which is why many of the items in the *Attitude* collection are inspired by my own lifestyle, which involves a lot of travel and business trips. While thinking about new approaches to adapt to the changes in lifestyle brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to develop items using nylon—a material different from traditional leather—and that was the catalyst for launching *Attitude*.

—It seems there’s a growing trend toward prioritizing comfort and well-being in all aspects of lifestyle.

TakaharaWith remote work and "workations"—a new style that combines work and vacation—becoming mainstream, the entire apparel industry has begun to evolve in ways we haven’t seen before. Against this backdrop, we set out to find the perfect casual backpack based on our own real-world experiences.

—This new drawstring bag, a variation on the brand’s signature “NYLON BACKPACK L 001,” looks set to become the “perfect solution” for today’s times.

NYLON BACKPACK DS L 007¥ 49,500

Takahara: First of all, I believe it’s important to be able to quickly grab your belongings when traveling or commuting for work. By designing the top of the backpack with a drawstring closure, you can access your items directly without having to rummage around. On the other hand, since the top is open, we’ve included a cover to address concerns about security when traveling abroad or placing the bag in the overhead compartment. It can be easily stowed on the back of the bag.

—That’s reassuring. Are there any other useful features?

Takahara: We’ve added a strap to all of our new backpacks that attaches to the handle of your carry-on luggage. Having this makes a world of difference in terms of comfort while traveling. Plus, the zippered side pocket is designed to fit your passport perfectly, so you can grab it quickly whenever you need it.

—It really is the perfect package. It seems that by reflecting on his own lifestyle, Mr. Takehara keeps coming up with new ideas. I hear you’re also launching a new line of shoes.

Takahara: Since everyone uses their feet to get around, we decided that shoes were essential for enhancing comfort in daily life, which is why we began developing this product. We use Vibram’s highly cushioned soles and have designed the shoes to be soft—without a stiff heel counter—so you can relax comfortably on flights and in other settings, ensuring a light, comfortable fit.

—It’s unusual for a bag brand to launch a shoe line.

Takahara: Although our brand is rooted in Tsuchiya Kaban, we do not limit ourselves to the traditional framework of a bag brand. Instead, we aim to develop products that seamlessly support the lifestyle values our customers seek, such as fashionability and comfort while on the go.

As reflected in our brand message, “Making ”There Is No One Right Answer’ the New Standard,” I think we should seek “the answer that is right for that person” as a counterpoint to the prevailing trend of seeking a single correct answer.

Items from bring people’s lifestyles together.

—So, Mr. Takehara, do you have a “right answer” when it comes to choosing a bag?

Takahara: I often fall asleep while riding the train, so my top priority is whether the bag fits comfortably when I hold it in front of me. And I believe that’s exactly the right size for me. Also, when it comes to choosing a bag, I think it’s essential that it goes with any outfit. I don’t think there are many occasions where I choose my outfit based on my bag, so I believe it’s fundamental for the bag itself to be a basic style that complements any outfit.

Takahara: However, since *Attitude* is very particular about the materials we use, we’d like to develop items based on our signature “NYLON BACKPACK L 001” that can help refresh everyday outfits.

Takahara: We’ve also put a lot of thought into the leather tag on the front pocket. While it’s usually black to match the bag, we’ve added a pop of color as a playful touch to give it a relaxed vibe. Since I personally like to add a splash of color to monochrome outfits, this is definitely a reflection of my personal style (laughs). In addition to the lime green shown in the photo, we also offer neon yellow, gray, off-white, and—exclusively at our Kamakura store—a light blue tag. Since the colored tags are available in limited quantities, be sure to get yours soon.

—Finally, could you tell us about some recent developments for the brand and your future outlook?

Takahara: Starting Saturday, April 4, we will open our first company-owned store on the second floor of the "TSUCHIYA KABAN Kamakura Store." We plan to carry nearly our entire product lineup there, so we hope you’ll come by, browse our selection, and find the perfect item for you.

Going forward, we aim to expand beyond just bags to include accessories and apparel, with the goal of helping to enhance your daily lives, even if only in small ways.