Pale color like hydrangea
Hitoe® Fold Aria - Ortensia -
The gentle colors of hydrangea
Product Description
Towards perfect functional beauty
"Perfection is when you can't cut any more"
These are the words of Saint-Exupery, the author of "The Little Prince."
The Hitoe® structure (registered design) prevents items from being stacked, the metal fitting-free minimalist design and inner hook (patent) allow for smooth operation, and the slipless design prevents cards from falling out (patent pending) .
"The ultimate in minimalist design and ease of use in the Hitoe® Fold series."
That's the Hitoe® Fold Aria .
Its sophisticated design and exquisite craftsmanship have resulted in a piece of breathtakingly perfect functional beauty .
Ortensiaの革について
紫陽花の優しい色合い
イタリア語で紫陽花（あじさい）を表すOrtensia（オルテンシア）。ホワイト鞣しを生かした、美しいペールトーンが特徴です。
"Aria" - Light as air
"Aria" is the Italian word for air.
It can also mean a lyrical solo song in opera or religious music.
Thin, light, and as invisible as air. Yet beautiful and full of originality. That is the "Aria" series.
The challenge of thinness
The thinness is achieved through the Hitoe® structure (registered design) , which does not stack cards and coins.
- Maximum 5 overlapping pieces of leather, no metal parts , 12mm thickest when stored
(When storing 6 cards, 10 bills, and 10 100 yen coins)
Palm-sized 89mm x 91mm
・Light as air, about 30g
It can hold up to 15 bills, 20 coins, and 6 cards . Even when fully loaded, it remains slim .
The finest unrivaled tailoring
All parts are made by gluing two thin pieces of leather together to make one. This technique is said to be the ultimate luxury in leather products , and it achieves both strength and thinness . It requires a wealth of experience and skilled techniques to create a finish that does not float or sag even when bent, just like a single piece of leather.
Thin details
The edges are made by overlapping the leather and sewing it on the outside. This is to keep it thin. If you fold the leather inside, you can make it smaller, but the leather will overlap and become thicker.
These details are faithful to the ideal of a thin wallet.
While pursuing thinness, we ensure that the leather is thick enough to retain the natural leather texture , such as firmness and elasticity.
Metal fitting-less inner hook
A new idea: use the stored cards as fasteners
We came up with an inner hook (patented) that allows cards to be hung on the wallet, rather than on the outside.
The smart leather hook is invisible from the outside , keeping the wallet slim.
This idea made it possible to create the Hitoe® Fold Aria's minimalist design without any metal fittings .
Not only does it act as a fastener, but it also prevents cards from falling out when you carry it around.
It's just sandwiched between leather.
It has a flat appearance, simply sandwiched between leather. There are no unnecessary protruding parts such as metal fittings or flaps, so it remains slim and doesn't get caught in your pocket.
The inner hook is designed not to come off when the wallet is turned upside down , so you don't have to worry about dropping coins when opening it upside down.
Minimalistic and smooth operation
Quick checkout with minimal movement
The wallet can be opened and closed easily by bending it into a " L " shape, which is where the name "Fold" comes from. With this single action, you can smoothly insert and remove all of your coins and cards while keeping the wallet in portrait orientation.
Leave the bill as is without folding it.
Simply insert the bills without folding them . They are highly visible and easy to take out. They are gentle on the recipient and can be easily inserted into vending machines and self-checkouts because they do not have creases or bends when folded in thirds .
The bill holder is designed to be continuous with the inner hook. The curve acts as a guide, allowing you to insert and remove bills smoothly without getting caught .
Prevents cards from falling out
When the wallet is closed, the inner hooks hold the cards in place, and even when the wallet is open, the slip-less design (patent pending) keeps the cards from falling out .
The feel of sliding cards in and out is high quality and comfortable.
The extra card can be used as a bill holder . It does not interfere with opening and closing the wallet.
Smooth, non-overflowing coin pocket
The coin pocket is shallow and has no fasteners such as zippers or hooks, so you can quickly take out the coins you need.
When storing, the lid of the coin pocket acts as a guide for smooth storage.
In addition, coins do not spill out when the wallet is closed, and even when it is open, the coin pocket has a lid to prevent spills.
There is still plenty of room even if you put in 999 yen worth (15 sheets).
Design based on the laws of nature
"Why is the golden ratio 1:1.62 beautiful?"
The golden ratio is the ratio that appears when squares with sides that match the Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21...) are arranged in a spiral, as shown in the diagram below.
The Fibonacci sequence is hidden throughout nature: in the arrangement of sunflower seeds, the spirals in seashells, the shape of typhoons, and spiral galaxies.
This sequence can also be found in masterpieces of art, such as the pyramids, the Parthenon, and Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.
The golden ratio is not simply a beautiful ratio; its beauty comes from the Fibonacci sequence behind it.
Therefore, the important thing is not to make each part into the golden ratio.
The proportions from the details to the whole form the Fibonacci sequence , which is deeply connected to the laws of nature and life, resulting in a well-balanced design that resonates with the heart.
Beautiful details
Precise and delicate stitching , polished edges that show the overlapping of leather, and thin lines made into the edges with a hot iron.
The Hitoe® Fold Aria is designed with beauty in mind, down to the last detail .
Long-lasting and beautiful
Generally, most problems with wallets are caused by metal parts or stitching. However, Hitoe® Fold does not use any metal parts and has only four stitches .
In addition, the corners, which are prone to damage, are made more durable by layering the outer and inner leather . The seams are extremely small, so the bag will not lose its shape even when worn in a trouser pocket .
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
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
Crowdfunding
The Hitoe® Fold series achieved the remarkable feat of dominating Japan's top three bi-fold wallet crowdfunding rankings for the five-year period from June 2021 to February 2025. (*Based on our own research)
2020
51,795,439 yen, 3,500 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2019 -Liscio-
Wallet crowdfunding reaches highest amount in Japan
2021
78,540,000 yen, 2480 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Foschia-
Wallet crowdfunding reaches highest amount in Japan
55,481,020 yen, 2959 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2021 -Liscio-
Crowdfunding for wallets takes first and third place in Japan's all-time rankings
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, 1130 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2021 -Liscio-
2023
40,282,000 yen, 1831 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2023 -Liscio-
Crowdfunding reaches a cumulative total of 400 million yen
2024
1,782,000 yen, 45 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Mushroom-
Q & A
Q & AQ. I can't open and close it smoothly. Is there any trick to it?
To open and close your wallet smoothly, follow the steps below.
[When opening] Bend the border between the coin pocket and the card pocket into a "U" shape and the inner hook will come off naturally. There is no need to touch the inner hook directly.
[When closing] While lightly pressing the top, bend it into an "U" shape in the same way, and the inner hook will naturally catch on the card.
Q. My wallet becomes distorted when closed.
This is because the inner hook is attached to the outside of the wallet, so make sure to only attach it to cards that you store inside.
Q. It's difficult to remove cards and it feels cramped
The card pockets are intentionally designed to be a little tight so that they do not become too loose, so they may feel cramped at first. However, over time, they will become more snug and easier to access.
If the bag is too tight at first, try using one less layer and taking it in and out several times to allow the leather to become accustomed to the bag before using it again.
Q: Will the cards fall out?
When the wallet is closed, the inner hooks catch the cards so they won't fall out.
The case has an anti-slip coating so cards are less likely to fall out even when open.
In particular, the slip-less design (patent pending) of the Hitoe® Fold Aria and Hitoe® Fold Less makes them even less likely to fall.
Please note that the anti-slip properties will not be as effective if the wallet is laid horizontally.
Q. Will the coins spill?
The wallet has a coin-proof lid that will not spill out with normal use. As the leather breaks in, it becomes even more stable.
Please note that because this wallet has a vertical design, coins are likely to spill out if opened horizontally like a typical bi-fold wallet.
Q. I'm bothered by the sound of coins.
When you put your wallet in your pocket, if you store it with the coin pocket vertically, the coins will not make any noise and will be easier to line up automatically.
Q. Should I choose right-handed or left-handed?
If you use your right hand to insert and remove cards or coins, select right-handed. If you use your left hand, select left-handed.
Q. Will the coins spill out if I open it upside down?
Don't worry, if you turn the wallet inside out, the inner hook will not come off and the wallet will not open.
The surfaces can be identified as follows (for right-handed users):
- No stitching on the right side
- The right side is the side where the card looks wider
Q. Can the magnetic stripes of cards be stacked?
Modern magnetic stripes are highly resistant to magnetism and can be stacked without any problems. Also, stacking IC chips has no effect.
However, the magnetic properties of old magnetic cards, such as bank cards, may have weakened, so as a precaution we recommend storing them so that the magnetic stripes are not touching each other.
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
(technical) specification
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