Workshop Introduction

Many HushTug products are made here, at D.bell (formerly Handbag Suzuki).

It is a long-established bag manufacturer with a history of approximately 90 years and the skills to produce for brands patronized by the Imperial Family.

All products are handmade by craftsmen, and their sewing and techniques are of the highest level in Japan.

 

History of D.bell (formerly Handbag Suzuki)

The company was founded approximately 90 years ago in Ueno, making drawstring bags for geishas.

At its peak, it produced 2,000-3,000 items per month, and since its founding, it has garnered attention within the industry for never having a single day without work.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of orders decreased, and the company faced a crisis.

At that time, we met HushTug and resonated with their philosophy of "showcasing amazing skills hidden in the world," and they agreed to handle almost all of HushTug's production.

 

Japan's Top-Tier Craftsmanship Supports HushTug's Quality

They generously apply the knowledge gained from producing products for various brands over the years to HushTug products.

・Reinforce parts that will bear stress during use.
・To bring out beautiful aging, carefully select materials with consistent texture even for parts of the same shape, to ensure a uniform overall appearance.
・Tailor each product in the most suitable way, judging the texture and expression of the leather.

With a professional eye, they meticulously incorporate attention to detail that general customers might not notice.

 

Combining the Strengths of "Manufacturer" and "Artisan"

In the world of bag making, it is common for "manufacturers" and "artisans" to work separately.

Manufacturers excel at handling a wide range of tasks, from design proposals and material selection to cost adjustments, based on client requests.

However, if the client lacks understanding of manufacturing and structure, insufficient reinforcement may occur due to prioritizing cost, leading to repairs or defects after completion.
On the other hand, artisans excel at creating durable, long-lasting products and beautiful finishes by leveraging their experience and skills.

However, without clear design concepts or cost guidelines, there are cases where the specifications become excessive due to prioritizing technical aspects, making mass production difficult.

D.bell is a rare entity that possesses both of these strengths.
By carrying out production consistently in-house, they understand the overall structure as a manufacturer while also focusing on fine details as artisans, thus achieving "ideal durability and beauty."

D.bell's true value lies in its ability to propose not only aesthetic solutions but also "designs that are resistant to breakage even with long-term use" in response to brand requests.

 

Unseen Reinforcement Creates Overwhelming Durability

Bags are items where more stress is applied than meets the eye.

At D.bell, they understand each of these points through experience and theory, and take measures such as reinforcing stressed areas with nylon material to compensate for the weaknesses of leather.

This reinforcement technique is rarely performed in general factories.

It prevents the leather from stretching or tearing while maintaining the natural texture of genuine leather.

Reinforcement is applied to unseen areas such as handles, shoulder straps, pull tabs, straps, and even stitching points.

For the peace of mind of the user, craftsmen meticulously finish what is unseen.

 

Thorough Quality Control: Every Single One Inspected, Even If 100 Are Made

D.bell's quality control boasts one of the strictest standards in Japan.

While many manufacturers opt for "sampling inspections," D.bell's basic principle is to conduct 100% inspection.

From the moment materials arrive until shipment, detailed checks are performed in 7 steps.

1. Material inspection (checking condition of leather, lining, and hardware)

2. Post-cutting inspection (checking for scratches and inconsistencies)

3. Material selection (uniformity of color and texture due to lot differences)

4. Parts inspection (removal of defective parts at component stage)

5. Artisan inspection (checking stitching, thread finishing, and dimensions)

6. Finishing inspection (safety check using metal detector)

7. Pre-shipment inspection (re-checking for changes during storage)

If even one item does not meet the standards, it will not be shipped.

This thorough approach is why D.bell is hailed as "Japan's finest."

 

A Message to Customers from D.bell (formerly Handbag Suzuki)

Our Japanese leather industry is facing an aging workforce with an average age of 70, and we have been struggling with a lack of successors.

However, Japan's leather craftsmanship is at a level that can fully compete globally, and we had a strong desire to prevent this tradition from dying out.

HushTug products boast designs comparable to other Japanese brands, yet are roughly half the price.

We were deeply impressed by the company's efforts to "create products that customers will be moved by."

We pour all the knowledge gained over 90 years of history into the HushTug products we create.

We are confident that we are making wonderful products that gain character the more they are used, and we believe that you will surely experience their quality when you use them.

Please take this opportunity to try our products, which we have painstakingly crafted.

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