Customer Review: "Baby Hug" - the Ultimate Bag?

May 25, 2024

In today's column, we present an interview with Shizuka Akaike, a long-time fan of andu amet.

An Interview with Shizuka Akaike

Shizuka Akaike, with her intellectual and elegant aura combined with a bright and unpretentious character, has been a loyal customer of andu amet for years. She also runs her own fashion brand, "ORIENTAL GATE." During the interview, she shared her thoughts on andu amet and her work with a cheerful demeanor.

When did you first meet andu amet?

"I first came across andu amet in an online article. The Baby Hug in Nile Breeze caught my eye with its color and shape, which matched my tastes perfectly. I was also drawn to their commitment to ethical practices.

When I launched my brand, 'ORIENTAL GATE,' in 2020, I thought the Baby Hug would pair well with my designs. I purchased it for visuals in our website and printed materials, marking it my first andu amet bag."

ーWhat a beautiful photo. How do you use the bag outside of photo shoots?

"I often use it as my 'statement bag' for important work occasions. It’s convenient for carrying essentials like valuables and stationery when I’m at a department store. And it’s just so cute! After four years of using it, it has become even more lustrous and supple. I often recommend the Baby Hug to my ORIENTAL GATE customers."

ーThank you very much! Do you have any other favorite items?

"Recently, I bought the &Hug in Nile Black. I was looking for a stylish shoulder bag with a decent capacity that would be suitable for formal occasions. When I saw it, I was immediately impressed by the high-quality feel and decided to buy it right away.

I also use the large Make My Day tote in Ivory for work, especially on days when I have a lot of items to carry or when traveling for events. Usually, I tie the side straps to make it slightly smaller for daily use.

I have many bags, but finding the perfect one was a challenge. I was looking for a bag that was well-made, spacious, yet lightweight. When I learned that andu amet was releasing the Make My Day, I knew it was the one!"

ーCustomers often worry about the Ivory color getting dirty. How has your experience been so far?

"It does get slightly dirty, but not to a noticeable extent. Perhaps because the Ivory is not a pure white. I often wear black clothes, and the Ivory adds a perfect touch of contrast. I also use leather cream for maintenance, which makes the leather feel even better with use."

ーCould you tell us about ORIENTAL GATE?

"ORIENTAL GATE is an ethical fashion brand that values natural materials, craftsmanship, and tradition. We focus on 100% natural materials and traditional production methods, such as hand spinning and weaving. We aim to offer designs that are timeless and made to be cherished for a long time.

Our pashmina coats, which are over 400,000 yen, are incredibly popular for their lightness and warmth."

The pashmina coat, priced at over 400,000 yen, is incredibly popular for its lightness and warmth!

ーThere seems to be a connection between the philosophy of andu amet and ORIENTAL GATE.

"Absolutely. We both share a commitment to quality craftsmanship and utilizing local materials while nurturing artisans. There are many ethnic-style clothes available at affordable prices, but ORIENTAL GATE strives to offer quality products that I personally believe in, and to properly brand the excellent materials and techniques from the regions we work with.

In March 2024, we opened our long-awaited showroom in Keisei Tateishi. We plan to hold pop-up events nationwide, so the showroom will initially open irregularly, but it’s a very comfortable space. Please come and visit us!"