Press Release
Otona Randosel Backpack by Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. Wins the Platinum A' Design Award in Fashion and Travel Accessories Design
Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. honored for fashion and travel accessories design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 15, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ Otona Randosel Backpack by Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. has been granted the Platinum A' Design Award in the Fashion and Travel Accessories Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The result belongs to the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who assessed anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
About the Platinum A' Design Award
The Platinum A' Design Award is recognized for honoring designs that stand at the forefront of creativity and innovation. It is the highest accolade bestowed by the A' Design Awards, acknowledging works that blend remarkable innovation with impactful societal contributions. These designs not only showcase exceptional artistic and technical proficiency but also highlight their creators' commitment to advancing the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology. Recipients of this award are celebrated for their role in shaping the aesthetics and trends of our time, contributing significantly to the enhancement of quality of life and promoting sustainable development.
Regarding Otona Randosel Backpack
This backpack reimagines the traditional Japanese Randosel for daily use. By removing its characteristic flap, the design features a silhouette composed of straight lines and curves. The ergonomic back panel is structured to provide support while maintaining a formal appearance. The exterior is simplified by removing pockets, and the opening is redesigned for easy access. This backpack aims to balance form with practical utility.
About Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd.
Since 1965, with the creation of Randsel - the traditional Japanese school backpacks - Tsuchiya Kaban has continued to grow, blending tradition and innovation in leather craftsmanship. Guided by our concept of creating "timeless products", we celebrate Japanese craftsmanship as an expression of the nation's sensibility and the mastery of our artisans. Rooted in TEINEI - meticulous care, attention to detail, and dedicated craftsmanship-we create objects of simple elegance, made to be cherished and used for a lifetime.
Award Record
With this recognition, Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. is a winner of 2 A' Design Awards. The awards were granted in the 2025 - 2026 edition of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Award
The A' Accessory Design Award is an international fashion design competition recognizing good accessory designs by leading designers and brands worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to accessory designers, fashion designers, travel accessory designers and luxury goods manufacturers from all countries. Typical entries include handbags, scarves, belts, luggage, hats and travel bags. The awarded accessory designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/accessory
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/180952
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/180952
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!180952
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/379744
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://tsuchiya-kaban.com/
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Otona Randosel Backpack
- Function
- Backpack
- Category
- Fashion and Travel Accessories Design
- Discipline
- Fashion Design
- Industry
- Fashion and Luxury
- Colors
- Dark Slate Gray, Black, Dim Gray, Gray and Light Gray
- Images
- 5
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd.
- Country
- Japan
- Recognition
- Platinum A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #180952
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- Reimagining Randosel features for modern daily life. This backpack reconstructs the "beauty of straight lines and curves" unique to Japanese Randosel. By removing the iconic flap, we achieved a minimalist silhouette defined by clean lines. Ergonomic curves on the back ensure comfort, balancing formal tension with utility. We eliminated external pockets to increase purity while redesigning the opening for smoother access. Disciplined beauty and modern convenience are highly fused.
- Inspiration
- This project is based on the craftsmanship of the "RANDOSEL"-a traditional Japanese school bag-honed since our founding in 1965. We reconstructed the model launched for our 50th anniversary, evolving it into a backpack for a modern daily lifestyle. While inheriting the elegance, carrying comfort, and robust box-shaped structure, we pursued refined functional beauty to create an iconic model to be appreciated not only in Japan but also in the international market.
- Research
- Inheriting and updating design and technology rooted in the Randosel. Since our founding in 1965, we have inherited our craft while updating it for modern life. We thoroughly examined structure and specifications, focusing on flap operation, formal refinement, and carrying comfort. Beyond aesthetics, we pursued practical weight reduction and accessibility. Staying true to our brand spirit, we optimized the "OTONA RANDSEL" for daily use, achieving a fusion of beauty and functionality.
- Challenge
- Our challenge was to overturn the stereotype of "RANDOSEL equals a children’s bag" by reinterpreting it as a backpack with formal dignity. We achieved refined form and rational structure by fusing our founding Randosel techniques with top-tier craft, such as Dulles bag manufacturing and repair expertise. Working closely with our craft people, we thoroughly examined core materials, hardware, and aging quality, completing a unique product that integrates safety and durability with beauty.
- Realization and Technology
- We developed a unique magnet for smooth operation and secure closure. Based on children’s Randosels-curves, we tested 4 shapes and 3 lengths, refining the fit through trials with over a dozen people. We also inherited the "soft touch" technique of Randosel by slightly extending the side cushioning. For the lower back, a three-layer sponge supports weight on the hips. By incorporating the traditional airflow channel design into the back panel, we significantly improved daily comfort.
- Operation and Interaction
- Elevating the backpack into a dignified form suitable for formal settings. By reinterpreting the Randosel’s neat structural beauty, we elevated the casual backpack into a dignified form. We added asymmetrical details to the orderly boxy form to create a presence that stands out in daily life. With center-of-gravity design and structure, we balanced a beautiful silhouette with high-performance comfort. This new commuter backpack integrates casual style and dignity, enhancing the wearer’s posture.
- Project Duration and Location
- Started in July 2019 at Tsuchiya Kaban in Tokyo. Mass production was completed at the Tsuchiya Kaban workshop in June 2023, marking the end of the project. It is currently not for sale.
- Specifications
- Size: H 410 × W 295 × D 120 mm Shoulder Strap Length: 670-880 mm (7-level adjustment) Handle Height: 35 mm
- Keywords
- RANDOSEL, Backpack, Leather, Japan, Minimalist, Craftsmanship, Repairable
