Pale color like hydrangea
Hitoe® Fold Aria - Ortensia -
Toward perfection and functional beauty
Perfection is the state in which no further cuts can be made."
These are the words of Saint-Exupéry, the author of "The Prince of Stars".
The Hitoe® structure (design registered) that prevents stacking of stored items , the minimalist design and smooth operability without metal fittings with an inner hook (patent pending ), and the slipless specification that prevents cards from falling out (patent pending).
The Hitoe® Fold Aria is the perfection of the Hitoe® Fold series, the ultimate in minimalism in both design and operability.
Sophisticated design and exquisite workmanship have been sublimated into a breathtakingly perfect functional beauty.
Aria" is as light as air.
Aria" means "air" in Italian. Aria Aria" means "air" in Italian.
Like air, you may forget it exists, Aria is a light and thin wallet and so thin that you forget it exists, just like air.
The challenge of thinness
The Hitoe® structure (design registered), which does not stack cards and coins, achieves thinness.
The thickest part when stored is 12mm.
(6 cards, 10 bills, 10 100 yen coins)
・Palm size: 89mm x 91mm
・Light as air: approx. 30g
Can hold up to 15 bills, 20 coins, and 6 cards. Even with ample storage, it remains thin.
Highest quality manufacturing process
All parts are made from two thin pieces of leather pasted together to form a single piece. This technique is considered the highest luxury in leather products, and it is both strong and thin. It takes a wealth of experience and skilled craftsmanship to create a product that looks like a single piece of leather without lifting or deflection even when folded.
In pursuit of simplicity, the engraving is hidden under the card
Thin detailing
The edges are stitched together on the outside, with the leather stacked on top of each other. This is for the sake of "thinness. If the leather is folded over and rolled inside, the size can be reduced, but the leather overlaps and becomes thicker.
This detail is faithful to the ideal of a thin wallet.
Size comparison by edge treatment method
While pursuing thinness, the leather is made thick enough to have a leather-like texture, such as tension and firmness, which is important.
Hardware-free inner hook
A new concept of using the cards to be stored as a clasp.
We have devised a patent-pending inner hook that hangs from the card instead of the outside of the wallet.
The smart leather hook is invisible from the front while the wallet remains thin.
This idea made possible the minimalist, hardware-free design of the small, thin Hitoe® Fold Aria wallet.
Inner hook to hang on the card integrated with the bill holder
It not only serves as a clasp but also prevents cards from falling out.
It is tucked inside to prevent accidental card drops
Clipped with leather. That's all there is to it.
Flat appearance with just a leather clasp. No metal fittings, flaps, or other unnecessary items stick out, so it remains thin and won't get caught in your pocket.
The design prevents the inner hook from coming off when the front and back are reversed. Therefore, there is no need to worry about dropping coins by opening the wrong side up or down.
Minimalist shape with no waste
Minimal and smooth operability
Quick accounting with minimal movements
The wallet can be easily opened and closed with a " ku" bend, which is where the name "Fold" comes from. With this single action, the wallet remains in portrait orientation, and money and cards can all be smoothly inserted and removed.
Bend the wallet in a "w-shaped" motion to open and close it smoothly.
(For right-handed users) The trick is to bend the bottom of the wallet with your left hand in a "crisscross" motion, so that it does not touch the inner hook.
Keep bills in the wallet without folding them.
Just insert bills without folding them. They are highly visible and easy to remove. Since it does not get folded or tri-folded, it is gentle on the receiver and goes smoothly into vending machines and self-checkout machines.
The bill holder is designed to be continuous with the inner hook. The curve of the hook serves as a guide, allowing smooth insertion and removal without snagging.
Smoothly inserts and removes cards without touching the bill holder at all.
Prevents cards from falling out
When the wallet is closed, the inner hook hangs on the card so it will not fall out. Even when the wallet is open, the slipless design (patent pending ) prevents cards from falling out.
The feeling of slipping a card in and out of the wallet is of high quality and comfortable.
Effects of the Slipless Design (patent pending)
Temporary cards are held in the bill holder. There is no problem with opening and closing the wallet.
Occasional cards can be held in the bill holder.
Smooth, non-overflowing coin pocket
The coin pocket is shallow and has no fasteners, hooks, or other metal fittings, so you can quickly remove the coins you need without removing them.
When storing coins, the coin pocket lid serves as a guide for smooth storage.
When the wallet is closed, coins will not overflow. Even when the wallet is open, the coin pocket lid prevents overflow.
There is room for 999 yen (15 coins).
The coin pocket does not overflow while in use.
World-renowned minimalist design
Winner of 11 of the world's most prestigious design awards
Hitoe® Fold Aria has won 11 major design awards from London, New York, Paris, Milan, etc., including the iF Design Award and theRed Dot Design Award, the world's three most prestigious design awards, for its functional and minimalist design. (The Hitoe® Fold series has won a total of 18 awards.)
(Click on the "About Product" tab for more details)
Hitoe® Fold has won 18 awards in total.
Design in accordance with the laws of nature
Why is the Golden Ratio so beautiful?
The Golden Ratio 1:1.62 is the ratio of the length and width of a rectangle consisting of a square with the Fibonacci sequence as one of its sides repeated in a spiral shape. (Figure below)
In fact, the Fibonacci sequence is hidden everywhere in nature. Tree branches, the number of petals, sunflower seeds, seashells, typhoons, spiral galaxies. It can also be found in art, such as the Pyramids, the Parthenon, and the 36 Views of Mount Fuji, where beauty is at its finest.
It is not the golden ratio that is important. It is the Fibonacci sequence, in which the proportions from the smallest detail to the whole are deeply related to nature and the providence of life, that results in a harmonious design that resonates with the heart.
Design based on the Fibonacci Sequence
Beautiful details
The precise and delicate stitching, the polished leather edges that reveal the overlapping layers of leather , and the fine lines placed around the edges with a hot iron.
Every detail of Hitoe® Fold Aria, a small, thin wallet, is beautiful.
Beautiful edge treatment
Long and beautiful use
Generally, most problems with wallets are caused by hardware or sewing. However, the Hitoe® Fold, a small thin wallet, uses no hardware and only four stitches.
In addition, the corners, which are prone to damage, are made of layers of outer and inner leather to increase durability. The seam allowance is as small as possible, so the design does not easily lose its shape even in a trouser pocket.
The corners are layered with leather for durability.
Pale color like hydrangea
Ortensia is the Italian word for hydrangea.
The beautiful pale tone of the color is created by tanning the leather in white. After barrel dyeing with dye (aniline), it is finished by spraying with pigment five times.
It is resistant to scratches and stains, repels water, and hardly ages, so it keeps its beautiful pale color for a long time.
(For a detailed description of the leather, click on the "Material" tab)
Leather of Ortensia
Leather of OrtensiaOrigins
Ortensia is the Italian word for hydrangea. It is characterized by beautiful pale tones.
Tanning and Manufacturing
Single butts (back to rump) of adult Scandinavian cows are used. After white-tanning, they are dyed with aniline dyes and finished by spraying with pigments. It is scratch and stain resistant, water repellent, and hardly ages, so it retains its original look for a long time.
Single butt has the densest fibers and the finest texture, so it produces a uniform and beautiful grain when it is grained.
Maintenance
The leather is resistant to scratches, stains, and water. When wet, wipe the leather immediately and periodically remove dust from the surface with a soft cloth.
Colors
Pale Pink 
Pale Blue 
Sand Beige
Thin Wallet Hitoe® Fold Comparison Chart
Thin Wallet Hitoe® Fold Comparison Chart| Hitoe® Fold | Hitoe® Fold | Hitoe® Fold Aria | Hitoe® Fold Less |
| Production Method | One-piece tailoring Unlined thick leather |
Fold Less The ultimate luxury in leather goods: thin leather laminated together |
|
| Prevents cards from falling out Slipless |
NG | OK | |
| Size | W86 x H89 mm | W89 × H91 mm | W89 × H89 mm |
| Weight | 36 g | 30 g | 29 g |
| Thickness (thickest part) |
7 cards 10 100-yen coins 10 banknotes when stored 13 mm |
6 cards 10 100-yen coins 10 banknotes when stored 12 mm |
3 cards 6 100-yen coins 10 banknotes when stored 9 mm |
| Maximum capacity | 7 cards 20 coins 15 banknotes |
6 cards 20 coins 15 banknotes |
3 cards 15 coins 15 banknotes |
Number of cards assumes embossless cards
The Hitoe® Fold series of small, thin wallets have won a total of 18 awards, including the world's most prestigious iF Desing Award, Red Dot Award, Good Design®, and German Design Awards, and are highly acclaimed for their minimalist design and comfortable operation.
Awards
iF Desing Award 2023
Hitoe® Fold Less
One of the most prominent and prestigious international design awards, the Hitoe® Fold Less Design Award is presented by the Hannover Industrial Design Association in Germany and is open to industrial products from all over the world. It is one of the three major design awards in the world.
Good Design Award 2022
Hitoe® Fold Less
The world's oldest design award, presented by the Athenaeum Museum in Chicago since 1950, was established by Edgar Kaufman Jr. of MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, New York) along with such modern design pioneers as Charles and Ray Eames, Russell Wright, George Nelson, and Eero Saarinen. The award was established by Edgar Kaufman Jr.
It is not related to the Good Design Award in Japan, but is a globally valuable award along with the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award.
German Design Awards 2023
Hitoe® Fold Less
The Hitoe® Fold Less is an international design award sponsored by the German Design Council, established in 1953. Only products that have been nominated by the German Design Council are eligible for the awards.
DFA Design for Asia Awards 2022
Hitoe® Fold Less
Established in 2003 by the Hong Kong Design Centre, this international design award recognizes outstanding design from an Asian perspective. Awards are judged and presented from four perspectives: overall design excellence, technical applicability, Asian influence, and commercial and social success.
DNA Paris Design Awards 2022
Hitoe® Fold Aria
The DNA Paris Design Awards are global design awards that honor the best designers in the fields of architecture, interior design, landscape design, graphic design, and product design.
Omotenashi Selection 2022
Hitoe® Fold Less
This award was established to discover and promote to the world the best Japanese products and services that are full of the spirit of Omotenashi. The award is given to products and services that are born out of consideration for the people who use them, and that have been improved upon while carrying on the traditions of the past.
A' Design Award & Competition 2022
Hitoe® Fold Aria
This is one of the world's largest design competitions to select the best design, design concept, product or service. It is recognized worldwide as a barometer of design quality and perfection.
iF Desing Award 2022
Hitoe® Fold Aria
One of the most prominent and prestigious international design awards, the Hitoe® Fold Aria is a design award organized by the Hannover Industrial Design Association in Germany, which judges industrial products from all over the world. It is one of the three major design awards in the world.
Red Dot Award 2022
Hitoe® Fold Aria
One of the world's top three design awards and one of the most prestigious international design awards, with over 10,000 entries from companies, organizations, and designers in more than 60 countries each year. Organized by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
London International Creative Competition 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
Aimed to serve as a medium to connect talented artists with international audiences, the competition attracts artists from around the world, with juries consisting of luminaries from six disciplines (architecture, interior design, art, graphics, photography, and products) and based in London, where internationally acclaimed artists are gathered, The awards have been held annually since 2006.
IDA Design Awards 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
The IDA Design Awards were established in Los Angeles in 2007 to identify and recognize outstanding design visionaries in a wide range of fields. Comprised of five categories including architecture, interior design, product design, fashion, and graphic design, each year's awards bring together the finest entries from the world's most talented designers.
NY Product Design Awards 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
The awards, which were newly established in 2021, are organized by the International Award Associate (USA) and specialize in product design.
The awards aim to recognize outstanding product designers who enrich our daily lives.
MUSE Design Awards 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
One of the international awards programs organized by International Award Associate (USA), which aims to create new value standards in design.
The award is presented to designers who combine unparalleled creativity and technical skills, such as "The Muse".
European Product Design Award 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
This design competition was created to recognize the efforts of talented international product designers. From thousands of design projects submitted from around the world, a jury will select the most beautiful, functional and innovative products.
K-DESIGN AWARD 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
An international design competition organized by DESIGNSORI, a Korean design portal. It is one of the three most prestigious design awards in Asia, along with the Golden Pin Design Award and the DFA Design for Asia Awards.
Omotenashi Selection 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
This award was established with the aim of discovering and spreading excellent Japanese products and services with a spirit of hospitality to the world. The award is given to products and services that are "uniquely Japanese" and have a "unique appeal" that should be shared with the world, and are selected for their particular skills born from consideration for the people who use them, and for their ingenuity in making improvements while carrying on tradition.
Omotenashi Selection 2020
Hitoe® Fold
This award was established with the aim of discovering and promoting to the world products and services that are brimming with the spirit of excellent Japanese hospitality. The award is given to products and services that are born from the consideration of the user, and that have been improved upon while carrying on the traditions of the past.
Campfire Crowdfunding Award 2020
Hitoe® Fold
This award is given to the most outstanding project out of more than 10,000 projects on the Campfire crowdfunding site.
Crowd Funding
The Hitoe® Fold series has achieved the feat of dominating all of Japan's all-time top three places in terms of the amount of money raised by crowdfunding wallets. (*As of February 28, 2022)
2020
51,795,439 yen, 3500 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2020 -Liscio-
Achieved the highest amount of crowdfunding for a wallet in Japan
2021
78,540,000 yen, 2,480 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Foschia-
Achieved the highest amount of crowdfunding for wallets in Japan
Sweeps the 1st and 2nd places in Japan's history for wallet crowdfunding
55,481,020 yen, 2959 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2021 -Liscio-
Sweeps Japan's all-time top three wallet crowdfunding crowdfunding
2022
25,944,600 yen, 873 people
Hitoe® Fold Less -Foschia-
13,002,000 yen / 394 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Ortensia- & Hitoe® Fold Aria -Monocromo-
16,816,016 yen / 1,130 persons
Hitoe® Fold -Liscio
Q & A
Q & AQ. Are there any tips for opening and closing it?
If you are right-handed, you can use your left hand to bend the boundary between the coin pocket and the card pocket into an "U" shape, which will release the inner hook and allow the wallet to open smoothly.
To close it, lightly press the top with your right hand while bending it into an "U" shape with your left hand, and the inner hook will naturally catch on the card.
The trick is to not touch the inner hook when opening or closing it.
Q. It becomes distorted when closed.
This is caused by misusing the inner hook on the outside of the wallet. Please only hang it on the cards you want to store.
Q. Should I choose right-handed or left-handed?
If you use your right hand to insert and remove cards and coins, please select "right-handed"; if you use your left hand, please select "left-handed". All photos and videos used in the product description are for right-handed use, and the slot for removing bills and cards is on the right side.
Q. The card pockets are too cramped
The design is such that the leather does not stretch more than necessary, so it may feel tight when you first start using it and the leather is still stiff. If you press the leather firmly at the back of the card pocket (on the left side of the card pocket for right-handed people) when you insert a card, the leather will become more flexible.
Also, please note that storing cards with uneven surfaces or items other than credit card size (such as point cards or medical cards) can make the bag feel cramped.
Q: Will the cards fall out?
When you close the wallet by hanging the inner hook, it won't fall out.
Even when open, the leather on the top edge of the cards will support them if the wallet is held vertically. Please note that cards are more likely to fall out if the wallet is placed horizontally.
The slip-less design (patent pending) of the product makes it even more difficult to fall off. For more information, please click here .
Q. Will the coins spill?
The coin pocket has a lid to prevent spills. As the leather becomes more flexible with use and the bend in the lid settles, it will become even less likely to spill.
The pocket is shallow to allow for quick removal of coins, and the size of the pocket allows the top of a 500 yen coin to be slightly visible, but it is hidden when the lid is closed.
If you open the wallet horizontally, coins may spill out. Please use it vertically.
Q. I'm bothered by the sound of coins.
If you store your coins with the coin pocket facing upright, you can prevent the coins from making noise. Also, the coins will automatically align themselves more easily, so please try it.
Q. Won't I open it upside down and spill the coins?
Don't worry, if you turn the wallet inside out, it won't bend into a "U" shape and won't open. You can also use this as a reference for the position of the stitching and how the cards look.
<Example: Right-handed>
- The side without the stitching on the right side is the front, as the bills are taken out from the right.
- The side where the card is most visible is the right side, as the card is taken out from the right.
Q. Can the magnetic stripes of cards be stacked?
Modern magnetic stripes are highly resistant to magnetism, so there is no problem even if they are stacked. Also, IC chips are not affected by magnetism.
However, for bank cards with no expiration date, the magnetic stripe may be weakened, so we recommend stacking the cards with the magnetic stripe positioned alternately up and down.
(technical) specification
(technical) specification
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