When Paper Isn’t Paper: Designs That Fold and Flex

I’m clearly going off the rails today because what I’m going to show you are items not made of paper. However, whether wearable or architectural, these designs celebrate the spirit of paper art in unexpected materials.

 

A fashion blog introduced me to an ingenious foldable handbag... the moment I saw it, bells rang, angels started singing, and a post that would feature beautiful/clever/useful examples of origami-inspired goods began to take shape in my mind's eye.

 

The brilliant Foldable Clutch can be a crossbody or clutch due to angles that can be compressed. It can even be flattened for packing. It is offered by Larissa Hildmann of Lara Kazis in Munich, Germany, a designer of functional, high-quality Italian leather handbags in geometric shapes with a nod to origami. To no surprise, her shop was the silver prize winner of the 2021 Etsy Design Awards.

 

 

Petit Pli is a company founded by aeronautical engineer Ryan Yasin that features pleated clothing for adults and children that expands and retracts. Reviewers exclaim that these Maternity Bottoms are comfortable, easy to adjust as your belly and baby grow, and very stylish. Another plus, they are constructed from Oekotex non-toxic textiles.

 

I can see that the Petit Pli Dungarees (lead image) are not only colorful, but a thoughtful design as well. They grow with the child - up to 7 sizes! - and are durable, rainproof, and made for movement.

 

This short video interview with Ryan tells how the fledgling company was launched.

 

 

 

 

The Japanese designer Issey Miyake was known for working with new materials and techniques in innovative ways. Even after his passing, the brand continues to create garments with steam-activated pleating and origami-like geometry that are easy to wear and care for.

 

The remarkable geometic, pleated, and washable Issey Miyake TYPE-O CAP is created with a Steam Stretch technique that uses unique threads that shrink in specific places. The cap can be stored/packed flat, but when worn, 3D pleats spring into shape and allow it to fit the head with an adjustable drawstring.  

Another item that is formed via the Steam Stretch process is the elegant A-POC ABLE TYPE-O 018 Jacket that mimics tessellated paper. The sophisticated TRACK Bao Bao Tote, constructed from polyester and nylon, gives the impression of folded paper too.

I haven't been able to determine if the inventive folded shoe, EIN-TRITT, designed by Catherine Meuter in Switzerland, ever made it into production, but it would certainly come in handy when packing a suitcase.

 

 

Lux and Nyx shows a host of bags and totes that remind one of origami. The Sling Belt with its folded front is new this spring and comes in lots of pretty colors. A convenient touch is a dedicated pocket to hold your phone. The company also makes a laptop case and crossbody bag in the same style.

 

Brian Ignaut of Degrees of Freedom is not only an aerospace engineer, but also a designer of stylish furniture and household items with folding mechanisms that are inspired by origami. See what I mean via this brief video.

 

 

 

 

Henry Glogau, a New Zealander living in Copenhagen, is a young architect who already has a number of problem solutions to his name. One example, on Instagram he relates that the Deployable Emergency Shelter has a frictional origami skin to use snow as an insulator in extreme weather conditions. It’s a stunning example of form serving survival.

 

 

Not technically origami-related, but too irresistible to not include: the Alexis Bittar leather clutch topped with a hand-sculpted Lucite and 14-k gold-plated scissor handle. Perfect for a fashion-forward paper artist. However, my best guess is that any TSA agent will raise an eyebrow or two!