Fukue, a bag manufacturer, has collaborated with global denim manufacturer Kuroki to develop four original bag styles. They exhibited them at the joint exhibition "Gold Rush" held last week in Fukuoka.

The bags are made with Kuroki's ultra-heavy 28-ounce denim and limited-edition cowhide leather produced by a tanner in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. While regular denim is typically 13 to 14 ounces, the leather used this time is twice as heavy. To match the denim, the cowhide leather is 7mm thick, thicker than the usual 4mm. The denim is available in two colors: indigo blue and black.

The four styles available are a large tote bag, a small tote bag, a messenger bag, and a one-shoulder bag. They are planned to be sold through specialty stores, department stores, select shops, and the company's own online store. Prices are 26,250 yen for the large tote bag, 23,100 yen for the small tote bag, 18,900 yen for the one-shoulder bag, and 21,000 yen for the messenger bag. The items were also announced at the Kuroki booth at Denim by Premiere Vision (abbreviated as Denim Premier), a comprehensive denim exhibition held in Paris on May 22nd and 23rd.

This collaboration came about as a result of the two companies deepening their relationship after exhibiting at the Textile Marché, a local fabric sales event held in Kyoto at the end of August last year.