Kyoko Morita
IL MERLO Bags
Bag maker
Florence, Italy
Geometric leather in timeless utility
- Kyoko creates structured bags using vegetable-tanned Italian leather
- Her work features refined hand stitched geometry
- She values humanism in her practice, viewing craft as a refuge in the modern world
Born in Chicago and raised in Nara, Kyoko Morita bridges the world of design and traditional craftsmanship through her leatherwork. After studying in Kyoto and working in Tokyo and Hong Kong, she moved to Florence in 2013. There, she developed her skills in the art of leatherworking at Scuola del Cuoio and under the mentorship of Dimitri Villoresi. In 2015, Kyoko launched IL MERLO Bags, a project rooted in traditional principles of strength, utility and beauty. She opened her Florence atelier in 2018 to craft functional three-dimensional accessories like the Poliedra purse. "My work is characterised by a refined yet playful geometry, where each bag is entirely hand stitched to create a dialogue with the wearer’s silhouette," Kyoko says.
INTERVIEW
I have long been fascinated by three-dimensional design, and through my experience in various fields, I realised that I am best suited to the scale of hand stitched leatherwork. Unlike larger structures, it allows me to translate my ideas into reality immediately with my own hands.
While I draw inspiration from many sources, people inspire me the most: whether I see them walking in the city or in photographs. I imagine a bag that completes a living sculpture, in which the person's silhouette and the bag's form become one.
While I respect ornamentation, I see myself as someone who finds beauty within practicality. As a bag is essentially a tool for carrying things, I always strive to create a perfect balance between durability, utility and beauty.
While studying in Italy, I learned the true meaning of craftsmanship. I used to think it was about preserving tradition or perfecting technical skills. I learned that its real value is in the very act of a human being dedicating their time to creation. This philosophy of humanism remains the driving force behind my hand stitched work. I strive for my work to be an oasis in the modern world.
Kyoko Morita
IL MERLO Bags
Bag maker
Florence, Italy
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
LANGUAGES
Italian, English, Japanese
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