Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Somes Saddle, Japan's only saddlery manufacturer, has collaborated with shoe designer Hiroshi Tsubouchi to launch "SOMES SADDLE x HT LABEL," his first bag design.

The "CAGE" (110,000 yen) is a mesh tote bag inspired by the belt parts used in saddlery. It can be worn all year round by changing the liner. The simple "BENTO" (100,000 yen) is made by joining parts formed using the "shibori" artisanal technique, which creates a three-dimensional shape from a single piece of leather, from the gusset to the bottom. Both models are available in black and brown, and the body is made of bridle leather. They will be available for pre-sale at Somes Saddle's directly managed stores. An order event will be held at the Aoyama store starting March 19th.

Somes Saddle was founded in 1964 in Utashinai City, Hokkaido. The company has produced saddles for the world's top jockeys and is a purveyor to the Imperial Household Agency, and is now a comprehensive leather goods manufacturer. Tsubouchi was a founding member of shoe importer Magnum, and in 2008 established his own label, HIROSHI TSUBOUCHI. The two brands share a mutual interest in the spirit of Made in Japan manufacturing, which led to this collaboration.