Hyotan Neck Warmer
The HYOTAN neck strap is an item designed to accompany everyday life and combines both a key ring and a card holder.
Why a neck warmer?
I've been wearing them myself for some time now. With use, they've proven to be a simple, practical, almost instinctive item. This habit, combined with a growing curiosity for leather craftsmanship, naturally led to the desire to develop one for Aïdama.
Leather is a material that has always attracted me, and one that I learned to discover more deeply during my years at Hermès. A living material, which is worked very differently from textiles: different gestures, different tools, different ecological and economic considerations.
HYOTAN was born from the desire to extend this exploration.
Some of my favorite neck warmers (the Borali x La Perruque collab, the Lemaire castanets or a Hender Scheme wallet)
THE DESIGN:
You may have noticed that the shape of the HYOTAN neck warmer is based on the Aïdama logo. The latter draws its inspiration from many personal references: the symbolic fusion of Mars (the masculine) and Venus (the feminine), Japanese war fans, and references to popular culture that marked my childhood.
The numerous phases and prototypes (some homemade 😅 ) to arrive at the final design
Among all these inspirations, one in particular would give its name to this accessory: the hyōtan .
In Japan, the hyōtan (瓢箪) refers to a traditional gourd, long used to hold water, sake, or seeds. Both an everyday object and a symbol, it is associated with protection, good fortune, and abundance. Its distinctive shape originates from calabashes, legumes whose natural volumes were dried and then hollowed out to become containers.
An organic form, born directly from the plant and its use, which embodies an idea dear to Japanese craftsmanship: a design dictated by function, where beauty stems from necessity.
The HYOTAN neck warmer follows in this tradition: a discreet but essential accessory, designed to be worn every day, useful, durable, and deeply symbolic.
OUR LEATHERS:
We have selected two different leathers:
- dark brown, almost black calfskin leather
- a natural beige cowhide leather
These two leathers share an essential characteristic: they are made using vegetable tanning, which is carried out exclusively from plant extracts.
This process, longer and more demanding than mineral tanning, strengthens the leather's structure while giving it a deep, vibrant color. More breathable, the leather gains robustness and resistance, and above all, develops a beautiful patina over time, making each piece unique.
Leather goods artisans
The creation of the HYOTAN neck warmer was entrusted to Haah Creative Work, a leatherworking duo formed by Alice and Hugo. After fifteen years in the leather goods industry, they founded their own workshop two years ago in the heart of the Marais district of Paris, with the desire to return to a freer and deeply artisanal practice of their craft.
Their expertise is expressed both through unique pieces created for couture brands and in the development of mini-series for independent brands.
Each creation is entirely handcrafted, with particular attention paid to the material, proportions and finishes.
Precise and sensitive leatherwork, designed to last and accompany everyday life, in perfect harmony with our vision of fashion.
Alice and Hugo, the founders of creative leather goods brand HaaH
