Despite the prevalence of digital payments, many still cherish the use of a well-made wallet. Some express concerns about a thick wallet affecting their jacket’s silhouette or the need to carry some cash along with cards. In response, we at Ginza HIKO have crafted a new, streamlined wallet to meet these needs.
Thinning alligator leather excessively can cause tears, requiring expert judgement in the tanning process. This results in a truly special product, crafted with dedication and expertise.
こちらがその財布の側面です。 札ポケット、カードポケットを 備えつつも、その厚みは8ミリ前後。
革そのものの厚みだけでなく 芯地についても試作を重ね、 驚きの薄さに仕上がりました。
Here is a side view of the wallet. Despite featuring card pockets, its thickness is approximately 8 millimeters. We went through numerous prototypes for not only the leather itself but also the core material, achieving an impressively slim form.
紙幣はスリットタイプのポケット から差し込む形で収納できます。
Cash can be stored by sliding it into a slit-style pocket.
高級感は細部に宿る Luxury resides in the details.
外側はセンター取りの一枚革を 贅沢に使用しました。
センター取りとはワニ革の原皮の 中心部分を贅沢に裁断した パーツを使う事を指します。
端の部分にロスが出るので、 安価な商品を作る際には 使われません。
左右対称に整った斑が美しい革で つぎはぎせずに一枚で仕上げ られていること。
これがワニ革において良い財布か どうかを見極める最もポピュラーな ポイントです。
The wallet utilizes a luxurious center-cut of alligator skin, a process too wasteful for cheaper products. This results in a single-piece finish with symmetrical spots, a key indicator of a quality alligator leather wallet.
This wallet uses a design where both the inside and outside are crafted from alligator leather, carefully cut and placed by hand so that it appears as if it’s made from a single piece. This meticulous design process is often skipped in many wallets, making this an especially luxurious and high-end product.
This slim wallet, unobtrusive in a jacket pocket and allowing for quick cash and card access, may enhance the user’s elegance and aura. Crafted for the refined adult, it’s available in limited quantities in black and dark navy. Despite its high quality, the price is just 242,000 yen, inclusive of tax. Please take a look as soon as you can.
By registering as a member on our online store, you can accumulate points equivalent to 5% of your next purchase. Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up.
“Visiting the scene of creation” has always been one of the core principles held by our company, Ginza HIKO. My recent revisit to TecknoMonster’s factory was a journey that truly allowed us to experience the significance of this belief even more profoundly.
As we have previously mentioned in this blog, TecknoMonster is an Italian brand that has successfully pioneered the use of genuine carbon fiber in suitcase manufacturing, being the first of its kind in the world. The reason for emphasizing “genuine” is due to the fact that the market is flooded with products claiming to have a “carbon pattern” or a “carbon-like texture.” Carbon fiber is a familiar and appealing material for enthusiasts of cars, watches, motorsports, golf, and more. However, in the world of bags and suitcases, it is common to find products that use cheaper alternative materials with printed patterns imitating carbon fiber due to the difficulties in processing and the high cost of raw materials. Naturally, there is a stark difference in performance between products labeled as “carbon pattern” and those made with authentic carbon fiber.
In this blog, we will take you through the process of how Tecknomonster’s suitcases are made, with the accompaniment of photos and videos.
同社のスーツケースのボディは 「ドライカーボン」という強靭な 素材です。
Tecknomonster’s suitcase bodies are made using dry carbon.
こちらはプリプレグと呼ばれる、 熱で硬化する樹脂を浸した炭素繊維 です。
通常はマイナス18度前後に保たれた 特別な装置の中で保管されています。
The body of Tecknomonster’s suitcases is made using what is called prepreg, which is carbon fiber impregnated with a resin that hardens when heated. It is usually stored in a special device kept at around -18 degrees Celsius.
こちらがその装置です。
一度冷却装置から出すと、あとは 時間との勝負。数時間のうちに 加工してしまわなければなりません。
Here is that device. Once it is taken out of the cooling device, it’s a race against time. It must be processed within a few hours.
It is then vacuum-packed and placed in a device called an autoclave that applies high temperature and pressure. Vacuum-packing extracts excess resin and makes the mold and carbon adhere evenly, resulting in a lighter and more robust finish.
The autoclave. It’s from a manufacturer called Maroso. This autoclave is also used to make parts for Pagani, which handles supercars worth over 1 billion yen per unit.
There are many meters on the side. If you look closely, numbers from 1 to 20 are assigned. This means that up to 20 pieces can be processed at the same time, and it seems that each can be fine-tuned according to the size and thickness of the parts at the end of each meter.
Here are the baked suitcase parts. Further processing will be added to the surface from here.
Carbon fiber made by this manufacturing method is called dry carbon and has ten times the specific strength of iron. It is a lightweight material that is resistant to corrosion and heat, and is used for parts in aerospace, F1 cars, and supercars. This is completely different in structure and durability from wet carbon, which is made more easily and inexpensively.
And here are various leathers used for handles, trimmings, and interiors. I found leather for items that we, Ginza HIKO, have custom-ordered. It’s properly marked with “HIKO”.
レザーは手作業で裁断され、その 裁断面には下地や仕上げ用の 塗料が筆で塗られていきます。
The leather is cut by hand, and paint for the base and finishing is applied to the cut surface with a brush.
ハンドルはイタリアに伝わる 伝統的な技法で手縫いの クロスステッチが。
針を二本使って、一縫いごと 緩みなく絞り込まれていきます。
The handle has hand-sewn cross-stitches, a traditional technique in Italy. Using two needles, it is tightly sewn without slack for each stitch.
This is the equipment for cutting parts. Since even a slight error is not allowed, pillars are buried 4 meters underground so that the cutting does not shift due to vibrations during cutting.
What’s amazing about Tecknomonster’s suitcases is not just the material of the body. The above is a part of the wheel section. It uses a sturdy base made from a block of aviation-grade aluminum and tires made of elastomeric polyurethane, which is resistant to temperature changes and has elasticity. Inside the wheels, ceramic ball bearings are used, and their movement is so smooth that it’s like a figure skater spinning on ice.
At Tecknomonster, not only do they offer products made with dry carbon, but they also have a lineup of ultra-lightweight bags made with soft carbon. In the video above, they are making a prototype of a bag that we planned on our own.
There is a deep emotion in seeing what was in my head taking shape like this.
完成品についてのブログはこちらです。
You can read the blog about the finished product here. ↓
Special sewing needles made in a small workshop in Japan. They are indispensable for sewing together leather and carbon.
ソフトタイプのバッグについて こちらのブログで詳細を綴って おります。
↓
さて、こちらはわたくし中村が ヨーロッパ出張の際に使っている スーツケースです。
故障のリスクを最小限にする タフなボディ、20 kg 近い重量も 指一本で楽々と動かせるほどの 駆動力を誇る車輪、そして 空港でもホテルでも誰とも被らず 気分良く使える希少性が毎回の 旅を特別なものにしてくれています。
This is the suitcase that I, KYOKO, actually use when I am on a business trip to Europe.
With its tough body minimizing the risk of malfunction, wheels boasting enough driving power to easily move nearly 20 kg with just a finger, and the rarity that ensures a distinct and pleasant usage experience at airports and hotels, it makes each of my trips special.
It’s a very expensive suitcase, costing around one million yen, but I can confidently say that it’s well worth the price.
You can also create a one-of-a-kind suitcase, carry-on bag, or attache in your preferred color from a rich selection of leather samples. If you are interested, please visit our Ginza store or web shop.
By registering as a member on our online store, you can accumulate points equivalent to 5% of your next purchase. Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up.
This is Kyoko Nakamura. I recently returned safely from Italy. Though an unexpected Air France strike caused a one-day delay in my return, everything else went smoothly.
今回のブログではフィレンツェでの 旅の様子を綴りたいと思います。
In this blog post, I’d like to share my experiences in Florence.
ミラノ編はこちらにて You can find the Milan edition here
↓
ミラノ – フィレンツェ間は列車で Take the Frecciarossa to Florence
ミラノのショールームやファクトリー 巡りを終え、ミラノ駅へ。 駅は相変わらずの賑わいです。
I traveled from Milan to Florence by train, specifically on the high-speed Frecciarossa. The stations were bustling as usual.
高速列車フレッチャロッサで 向かうのは、フィレンツェ。
防犯のため、荷物を足元に 広々と置ける1等車に。 飲み物や食事もサーブされます。
車窓の景色を楽しみつつ、 2時間ほどでフィレンツェに到着。
For security reasons, I chose first class where drinks and meals were served. I arrived in Florence in about two hours.
＊この動画は現地の音をそのまま 残しています。音量にご注意を。 This video has audio. Please be mindful of the volume.
Florence hosts Pitti Uomo, the world’s largest menswear trade show, twice a year in January and June. This time, over 800 brands exhibited and nearly 12,000 buyers from around the world attended. Though the numbers are still lower compared to pre-pandemic times, the atmosphere was reminiscent of the familiar excitement.
The venue is exclusive to apparel industry professionals who have registered in advance. Naturally, it was filled with stylish individuals in various attires.
We had been photographing their outfits long before men’s fashion magazines started doing fashion snaps at Pitti Uomo.
中には長年、その着こなしを カメラに収めさせて頂いている方も。
会場内にはジェラートスタンドも！ Ah, a gelato stand!
様々な出会い Precious encounters with various brands.
長年PITTI UOMOに通っていると 毎回お会いするのが楽しみな 方々も増えてきます。
また、全く知らなかった新しい ブランドとの出会いも。
Having attended Pitti Uomo for many years, there are numerous people I look forward to meeting each time. Additionally, there are also encounters with entirely new brands.
こちらはなんと、ヘネシーと 葉巻を入れるためのトランク！ This is a special trunk case for storing Hennessy and cigars!
At the hotel’s breakfast venue. Two brothers were gleefully munching on fruits, exclaiming “Yummy! Yummi !” A staff member brought them juice, and the older brother said in an adorable voice, “Oh, Grazie!” with a bright smile. The sheer cuteness of the scene made all the adults around completely smitten.
I’m Kyoko Nakamura from Ginza HIKO, currently in Italy since June 8th after a three and a half year. In this blog, I’ll share my long-awaited business trip to Italy, starting with the “Milan edition.”
After a gap of three and a half years, I departed from Haneda Airport as usual. The only difference was that the flight route had changed, making the flight about three hours longer. Additionally, you could now choose your in-flight meal online in advance, offering a variety of menu options to accommodate different preferences and health conditions, reflecting the diversity of our times. I chose the fruit menu.
To avoid baggage loss, I always fly from Haneda to Paris and stay overnight at a hotel near the airport to retrieve my luggage. This time, I flew from Paris to Milan on the earliest flight the next morning.
The feeling of “three and a half years” didn’t strike me as much as I expected. It felt more like coming back to the familiar place I’ve always been, just as usual.
First, I visited the showroom of ZILLI, a luxurious French brand that I have had the longest business relationship with.I had the opportunity to meet Franck, who came to Japan for a special event in Ginza, and Marie-Claire, who always supports me online.
While I had been placing orders through the online showroom during the past few years of the pandemic, nothing compares to physically experiencing the feel and lightness of the products firsthand. I discussed and exchanged opinions with other staff members at the showroom, and placed orders for the spring-summer collection next year.
I also visited the factory of TecknoMonster, a brand that successfully created suitcases using carbon fiber for the first time in the world. Carbon fiber, which is also used in supercars like Lamborghini and Pagani, as well as aircraft parts, requires skilled craftsmanship and the latest equipment for production due to its challenging handling.
This process was really interesting and I learned something new. Details are summarized in another article, so please read it as well.
↓
ミラノでは新しく縁をいただいた ショップを訪れ、将来に向けた ミーティングも行いました。
これについては後日詳細を お伝えします。
仕事の話ばかりでは楽しさに 欠けるので、ここからは風景や 食事の写真などを。
In Milan, I also visited newly established shops and had meetings for future prospects. I will provide more details about this later. As talking only about work lacks excitement, I will now share some photos of meals and more…
The building where ZILLI showroom is located has the oldest section dating back to the 16th century, while relatively newer features such as the staircase railing were created in the early 18th century.
By registering as a member on our online store, you can accumulate points equivalent to 5% of your next purchase. Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up.
Italy is home to specialized brands that focus on specific items, such as “knitwear specialists” and “shirt specialists,” creating collections with expertise and high quality. Today, we introduce one such brand, “Rota.”
彼らは1962年に創業し、それまで 「ジャケットのわき役」的な位置づけ だったパンツを
「主役になれるアイテム」
としてその地位を高めました。
私達銀座HIKOでは長年、そんな 彼らと長年に渡り取引を続けています。
Founded in 1962, they elevated trousers from a supporting role to a prominent item. At Ginza HIKO, we have had a longstanding partnership with Rota.
One notable feature of their trousers is the beautiful silhouette. Rota offers various patterns, and we choose designs with a comfortable fit and appropriate rise. The tapered shape towards the hem creates an elegant impression.
Rota uses carefully selected premium materials. We order fabrics that reflect our customers’ preferences from a wide range of samples provided by luxury fabric brands.
Rota’s trousers prioritize both comfort and style. They are designed to offer a great fit, with a focus on the feel of the fabric against the skin and ease of movement.
Rotaのチノパン
ここからは、わたくしどもが Rota社に独自にオーダーした コレクションをご紹介します。
いずれも生地や裏地の組み合わせ等も 含め、私どもだけでしか取り扱いが 無い特別な限定品です。
Now, we would like to introduce our exclusive collection, which we have custom ordered from Rota. These are special limited-edition pieces that are unique to our store, including combinations of fabrics and linings that are not available anywhere else.
Cotton trousers have a captivating sheen and color. The fabric is woven with high-quality, fine-count cotton, resulting in a silky shine. The vibrant blue color makes it a standout piece. You can enjoy summer time.
These trousers are paired with a sophisticated skyblue. We added a touch of accent with a mocha brown leather mini Boston bag.
アイテムの詳細はこちら。
今回ご紹介して参りましたパンツ、 そしてコーディネートの品々は こちらです。
( 画像をクリックするとオンラインストアに アクセス頂けます。)
Click on the image to view the details of each item and place your order on our online store.
↓
今回ご紹介したパンツを含む、 様々な春夏コレクションは こちらのページにてご閲覧 頂けます。
Click the banner below to view our amazing Spring/Summer collection, including the featured trousers. Don’t miss out! Available now on our online store.
By registering as a member on our online store, you can accumulate points equivalent to 5% of your next purchase. Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up.
The other day, we received this feedback from a customer: “I’m looking for a large-capacity bag that can fit shoes and be used for golf.” So we showed them this bag.
TecknoMonster テクノモンスター ソフトカーボンファイバーバッグ Soft carbon bag / Made in Italy ￥264,000 税込 Including tax
超軽量、かつ水を弾くソフトカーボンを 使ったイタリア製のお品です。
This is an Italian-made bag using soft carbon, a material that is extremely lightweight and water-repellent.
ゴルフがお好きな方に向けて お作りしていたコレクションの 1つです。
This bag is one of collection for golf. We made also ball case and score card case.
ボールケースやスコアカード ホルダーもお揃いにしています。
さてこちらのボストンタイプを ご覧になられたお客様。
「軽いし、機能的で良さそう なんですけど、もう一声、 「新しさ」が欲しいなー」
と仰られ、 「まあ、また来ますね」と お帰りになられました。
“It’s incredibly light and seems easy to use. But it lacks a bit of ‘freshness,'” the customer said.
Indeed, its classic shape may lack novelty. And there is no any other design within the existing bags for golf…
The side pockets are versatile, suitable not only for storing shoes but also for other uses. This bag is not only great for golf, but also proves useful for travel and business trips.
色違いがあれば…
赤以外の色は無いの？
という方にはカスタムオーダーを お勧めします。
For those who want colors other than red, we recommend custom orders.
◆ カラー カスタムオーダー + 15% のカスタムオーダー料 納期：3ヶ月～4か月前後にて
With an additional 15% custom order fee and a delivery period of 3.5 to 4 months, you can have a bag made in your desired color.
Depending on the combination, you can get closer to your ideal bag color – whether it’s your company’s corporate colors, your team’s colors, or the colors of the sports team you support.
ご興味ございましたらスタッフまで お気軽に御声をおかけください。
今回のモデル以外の品も対応いたします。
遠方のお客様にはカラー見本の 写真などをお送りしますので、 是非LINEやメールにてご連絡を。
For customers far away, we handle inquiries via email, so please feel free to contact us. We accommodate not only for this bag but also for other products in our online store.
By registering as a member on our online store, you can accumulate points equivalent to 5% of your next purchase. Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up.
Introducing the new briefcase from Italy’s Tecknomonster.
The main features of Tecknomonster’s Soft Carbon Fiber Collection include the following four points:
✅ Exceptional lightness ✅ Water-repellent and easy to maintain ✅ User-friendly design ✅ Limited edition models exclusive to Ginza HIKO, offering a high level of rarity
In this blog post, we will introduce a bag that was created in response to customer requests such as “I want to carry larger files” and “I wish there were more pockets.”
TecknoMonster Brief Case テクノモンスター ブリーフケース ￥389,400 税込
The lining is made of water-repellent nylon from Limonta. Not only is it easy to maintain, but the bright blue color also makes it easier to see inside the bag.
By registering as a member on our online store, you can accumulate points equivalent to 5% of your next purchase. Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up.
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