Gretchen - Tango Pouch: A Blend of Classic and Modern Design

Anne-Christin Schmitt's Innovative Reinterpretation of the 1920s Pouch Bag

The Gretchen - Tango Pouch is not a new concept, but Schmitt's re-interpretation of this 1920s fashion staple is truly innovative. The design was inspired by the precise folds of an accordion and the shapes of leaves. The result is a pouch bag with a refined foldable closure that folds together precisely every time, thanks to Schmitt's detailed construction of the folds and pleats.

What sets this design apart is its innovative structure and the use of fine leather. The bag's structuring elements add a touch of style refinement underneath the leather surface, creating a wearable piece of art. The bag is designed to be worn by the wristlet-handle, allowing the wearer to have their hands free. Inside, there is enough space for a girl's first aid kit, including lipstick, mascara, powder, and a smartphone.

The bag is made from soft waxed calf skin leather, which gives the handle and puffy side inserts an incredibly pleasant touch. This contrasts intentionally with the more constructed main body made from glazed leather. Hand-applied profiling details underneath the leather of the plum-shaped main body add dimension and richness to the clean shape.

The design process for the Gretchen - Tango Pouch began on a business trip in Japan and was realized six months later in Germany. Schmitt faced the challenge of transforming the idea of the pouch into a modern design that would still be timeless. The result is a bag that is modern in its look, has a new concept, but will not look outdated in the next season.

The Gretchen - Tango Pouch is an outstanding bag with a truly innovative design. It is a wearable piece of art that allows the wearer to have their hands free. The folding magnet closure construction gives an unexpected easy and wide opening. The bag is made with soft waxed calf skin leather for an incredibly pleasant touch of the handle and puffy side inserts, intentionally contrasting with the more constructed main body made from glazed leather.

This design was awarded Platinum in A' Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Award in 2014. The award recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs that showcase unmatched professionalism, genius, and contribute to societal wellbeing. The Gretchen - Tango Pouch is indeed a defining aesthetic of an era, advancing the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology, and making the world a better place.