Fukue, a leather bag manufacturer in Izumi City, Osaka, has teamed up with leather bag and leather accessory designer Yuka Ushirokita to launch the leather bag brand "middy" this spring/summer. Ushirokita is in charge of planning and design, while Fukue handles manufacturing and sales. Until now, Fukue has focused solely on manufacturing, but the slump in the domestic leather bag industry prompted the company to launch its own brand as a new venture. The company has already launched its own original brand, "artigiano," which has been sold for limited periods at department stores around the country. This time, the company has taken a step further by collaborating with a leather bag designer to develop a new brand. In addition to Ushirokita, the company is also collaborating with three other designers. The newly debuted middy is characterized by its feminine design and bright colors. It consists of three lines: "line," "fum," and "bell." The most basic design, "fum," is made from lightweight horsehide. Bell's vibrant pastel sherbet colors are eye-catching. The Line is characterized by the striped handles, which are all hand-dyed. The striped pattern comes in three variations: orange, sky blue, and gray. Prices range from around 15,000 yen to 25,000 yen for bags, and just under 5,000 yen for pouches.