HENDER SCHEME AND FREITAG UNITE FOR UPCYCLED BAGS

Summary:

• Hender Scheme and FREITAG release their second collaboration, featuring two shopper models with handles made from leather production scraps
• The collection includes the HS MIAMI VICE and a new compact version, the HS SONNY, both made from repurposed truck tarps
• Original truck tarp handles get converted into additional shoulder straps, following both brands' upcycling principles

Hender Scheme returns to work with FREITAG for a second time, bringing together Tokyo's leather craftsmanship with Zurich's truck tarp expertise. The Tokyo-based footwear and accessories brand joins forces again with the Swiss bag manufacturer to reinterpret two shopper designs through their shared approach to durable materials and traditional production methods.

The collaboration builds on the success of their first partnership in 2023. This time, Hender Scheme reworks the FREITAG F52 MIAMI VICE shopping bag and introduces a smaller version called the HS SONNY. Both bags follow the Japanese concept of "Niji-Sousaku", which translates to secondary creation. This practice holds cultural weight in Japan, where artists reinterpret existing works to create something new. The approach mirrors FREITAG's own design philosophy. The F52 MIAMI VICE itself originated as a reinterpretation when FREITAG founders created the shopper in 1996, drawing inspiration from classic paper shopping bags.

The design intervention follows the same pattern for both models. Each bag body stays true to the original FREITAG construction, made from a single piece of used truck tarp. The transformation happens at the handles. Hender Scheme replaces the original tarp straps with handles crafted from their signature leather production scraps. These leather handles come in a mix of natural tones that will develop a unique patina over time through regular use.

The collaboration takes upcycling further. The original truck tarp handles do not go to waste. Instead, they get transformed into additional long shoulder straps for each bag. This double upcycling approach reflects both brands' commitment to using materials that would otherwise end up discarded.

Each bag in the collection stands as a one-of-a-kind piece. The truck tarps come from actual trucks that traveled European roads, meaning each section of material bears different marks, colors, and wear patterns. When combined with the natural leather handles, no two bags look identical.

The F250-HS SONNY serves as the compact option. This smaller shopper suits those who prefer a more manageable size without sacrificing the collection's distinctive character. The bag folds flat for storage when not in use, making it practical for daily carry. Hender Scheme adds their special leather co-branding to mark the collaboration. The F250-HS SONNY sells for €193.50.

The F52-HS MIAMI VICE represents the larger format. This iconic shopping bag maintains the proportions that made the original design successful in 1996. The bag references the traditional Swiss paper shopping bag while delivering the durability of repurposed industrial materials. Like its smaller counterpart, the F52-HS MIAMI VICE folds for space-saving storage and features Hender Scheme's leather branding. The price sits at €212.

Both brands share a foundation in craft traditions and material consciousness. FREITAG built its reputation on transforming discarded truck tarps into functional bags since the 1990s. Hender Scheme gained recognition for hand-crafted leather goods that honor traditional Japanese production techniques while incorporating contemporary design thinking. This second collaboration demonstrates how their parallel approaches to material reuse and craftsmanship create products that carry meaning beyond their function.

The collection's limited nature means each piece represents a specific moment where used truck tarps meet leather production waste. The materials tell multiple stories: the roads the tarps covered, the products that generated the leather scraps, and the hands that assembled them into new objects.