The MAQL Handbag Reverses Its Interior to Become Its Exterior
Amy Duong — February 25, 2026 — Art & Design
The MAQL handbag reverses its interior to become its exterior through a construction technique that uses a single laminated piece of leather with grain on one side and suede on the other. The handbag was created by Tokyo-based design studio Nendo in collaboration with Bag Makers Tokyo, and its structure emerges from strategic folding and peeling of the leather to form the body and handles. The design uses both textures visibly on the outside, with grain leather meeting suede where the material is rolled back.
The name MAQL derives from the Japanese word makuru, meaning “to peel, to reveal,” and the folding process creates continuous handles integral to the body, with no separate attachments. The bag’s rounded bottom is intended for stability when set down. It comes in a muted palette of earth tones and soft neutrals and is offered in larger handbag and smaller pouch sizes, each maintaining the same folded construction and interplay between grain and suede surfaces.
Image Credit: Nendo and Bag Makers Tokyo
The name MAQL derives from the Japanese word makuru, meaning “to peel, to reveal,” and the folding process creates continuous handles integral to the body, with no separate attachments. The bag’s rounded bottom is intended for stability when set down. It comes in a muted palette of earth tones and soft neutrals and is offered in larger handbag and smaller pouch sizes, each maintaining the same folded construction and interplay between grain and suede surfaces.
Image Credit: Nendo and Bag Makers Tokyo
Trend Themes
1. Reversible Materials - Reversible laminated leathers that present two finished surfaces enable garments and accessories to serve multiple aesthetic functions from a single component, reducing SKU complexity.
2. Seamless Integrated Handles - A folding-based construction that forms continuous handles from the body eliminates separate fittings and opens up new possibilities for durability and minimalist assembly.
3. Dual-texture Surface Play - Contrasting grain-and-suede combinations showcased simultaneously create tactile-rich products that elevate perceived luxury while using one material layer.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Leather Goods - High-end accessory makers can leverage single-piece reversible constructions to offer premium feel and multifunctionality without increasing material usage.
2. Sustainable Fashion - Circular-design approaches are supported by items that serve multiple looks, potentially extending product life cycles and reducing consumption rates.
3. Furniture and Homewares - Folded single-material techniques suggest scalable approaches for upholstery and small furnishings that combine structural form with finished surfaces.
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