The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

biteaccessories of value.” Ostwald added that their bags made precisely one by one are a small investment and stand in contrast to a society where fashion primarily produces perishable disposable items. A family business that uses the old tradition of enriching leather couture with artistic design language; two of their three estab- lished leather manufactory collection lines stand out. Ostwald Art Couture is the architectural design and urban avant-garde that celebrates the demanding and time-consuming work of exclusive master artisans. It takes 35 production steps and up to 18 hours of dedication to detail to create sculpture-like bags appreciated and collected by enthusiasts worldwide. One of these is Pyramide in Orange/Red/Cioccolato and Avio Blue/Milk White/Cioccolato. Made from precious laser-cut calfskin, it has a delicate micro-suede lining and silver-colour- ed metal elements. The four triangles have been completely preserved as surfaces and allow the bag to open upwards, sim- ilar to the folding game. The soft folds stretched between the rigid triangles like the roof of a tent keep things safely stowed away and protect your valuables from falling out. The handle, attached to the two opposite triangles, is flexible enough so when the bag opens, it can be folded to the side as if on a pivot. At the same time, the handle has enough stability to hold and carry the whole bag. The top of the pyramid is safely protected by a magical self-closing magnetic cuff that allows the band to close by itself. The base of the pyramid and the four triangles are worked with elaborate French recesses. The Origami Clutch in Metallic Orange calfskin reveals Ostwald’s passion for crossing boundaries in design and craftsmanship. “In our manufactory, old leather processing techniques have been preserved for generations. Trying to implement old paper folding techniques and create a lasting result that resembles the archetype of origami is a pleasura- ble process.” This iconic accessory was created through leather parts being meticulously hand-beaten and invisibly reinforced inside piece by piece. In the same fabric, Origami Tote forms a stable and static body kept in motion by two shells, on the front and back of the bag, through a leather hinge. Both elements can be folded apart to reveal the interior like a treasure chest. Thankfully, a soft leath- er gusset prevents the flap from opening too wide. Alternative- ly, it can be folded inwards to subordinate itself to the clarity of the geometry or turned outwards to create a new shape and provide colour contrast. Thanks to the hidden magnets in the construction, they have the power to keep the bag closed but release the opening with a slight pull on the handles. To close the bag squeeze the side handles and listen for the legendary ‘flap’ sound of Ostwald bags. Both the clutch and tote have calf suede in bright red and vintage cognac, delicate micro-suede lining, gold-coloured metal elements securely protected with a conveniently placed zip or self-regulating and invisible magnetic closure. As the brand says, “Cultures and their expressions in patterns and signs are messages that touch not only our minds but also our emotions. Architecture, interior and fashion are all forms of this expression and reason enough for the creation of our