Hello.
This is Nakayama from CASANOVA&CO.
This time, it's not about clothes,
nor leather shoes,
but a bag.
A COMOLI bag.
It's the Hemp Duck Shoulder Bag.
COMOLI
Hemp Duck Shoulder Bag
color _ BROWN
I personally use the Hemp Duck Shoulder Bag every day for commuting.
Until now, I used to commute with a backpack from another brand.
When I first decided to switch to the Hemp Duck Shoulder Bag, I thought it looked good, had plenty of capacity, and could even be used for travel.
But after I got it and started using it, something struck me.
So, I decided to write a blog post about it. Please allow me to introduce it, even if it's a bit late.
First of all, it's not that I disliked the backpack I was using before.
I still like it, and I use it when it's better to carry something on my back.
What struck me was the difference in design as a tool—a bag.
I'm not saying COMOLI's shoulder bag is superior to the backpack I used to use.
The backpack I used to use had a dedicated pocket for a laptop, a waterproof cover for the backpack, and pockets arranged to quickly retrieve items, making it very "convenient" to use.
That's why I still really like it.
I bought it because its convenience and the functionality I was looking for matched.
Bag = something equipped with satisfying functionality
I used to judge good and bad based on that feeling.
I thought that a bag with convenient functionality was a good design.
I still think that feeling is also not wrong.
Within that feeling, I was perplexed when I first held the COMOLI Hemp Duck Shoulder Bag.
(Though I liked its imposing size and worn-out look when worn over the shoulder.)
It only has a large main pocket with a huge capacity and an external pocket on the back that can be opened and closed with a snap button.
I wondered where I should put my keys and wallet.
After thinking about what would be easy to use and find where, I attached a large carabiner, which I used when climbing, to the shoulder strap, and used it as a keyring, solving the problem.
That's when it hit me, when I attached this.
As I mentioned before, COMOLI's shoulder bag is surprisingly simple.
It has only two pockets, both oversized.
These are the only features.
When I attached the carabiner, it felt as if the bag was asking me, "How would you use me?", suggesting it was designed with room for the user to make it their own...?
That was my intuition.
When it comes to the basic function of a bag, which is to "carry things," it has a very reliable size and robust construction.
The shoulder strap provides a sense of security, so much so that I'd call it "macho."
It's wide, flexible, and densely woven. (Like good muscles)
The inside is also amazing; given its large capacity, the four corners are firmly piped with the same material as the shoulder strap to withstand the weight.
The flap is also securely stitched with the same material.
The bottom has proper reinforcing material.
I realized that the bag meets the broad functional requirements of "carrying things" and durability as a physical object, while leaving the details of functionality to the user without overly restricting them.
Now, the question is how to innovate and expand its functionality over long-term use.
Thinking about how to make it more convenient might seem troublesome,
but repeating the process of experimenting, trying things out, and improving can actually be quite enjoyable.
You naturally develop an attachment to something you've created, and for me, it became an item where I thought, "This is what I like."
Since I was born and raised in a convenient world, I realized I had naturally become accustomed to merely choosing from what was available.
Indeed, if you want a tool that suits you, finding ways to innovate and improve it yourself is the shortest path.
I was made to realize that design allows one to truly engage with a tool.
Design that allows for engagement is also good design.
I've only been using it for less than half a year, but it's finally softened up, taken shape, and just a little bit of hemp fuzz has emerged.
It looks like we'll have a long relationship.
CASANOVA&CO
Nakayama