Sometimes you just need to rearrange the colors and labels, and take the item from something great to something you need.
Part of Somerset’s collaboration with Newt, Niwaki’s new iteration of classic pouches is more greedy than the ultimate tool bag. It’s my new wallet, or as my mother called it a pocket book. Or handbags as the British call it. In any case, part of its appeal is that it can be tied diagonally across the body without looking like a tourist, and can be worn around town. It is lightweight and flat, with a barely inconspicuous front pocket and two leather-lined compartments at the bottom, with sharp tool wear and tears. This is an invisible detail that guarantees longevity, along with brass fasteners.
Like many of the Japanese accessories sold at Niwaki’s Chiltern Street Store and Dorset’s headquarters, the original pouch has long been popular with people who are not intended to garden. With reliable colorways (tan, black, red) and logos (bold), the company’s branding is instantly recognised. Newt uses Army Green. This is a type of colour that melts around it and is perfect for canvas. But what will do for me is labeling this limited edition Newt x Niwaki bag. It is hidden around the back. If you know, you know.
Newt is a newer business than Niwaki, which has converted Somerset’s country property into a “working farm with rooms” within the past decade. (You can read about my first visit here.) It is in the process of reinventing cider, a classic in the western country of England, with local delicacies from when sold at road stands on sale outside the farm, but is more strongly associated with the cheap thrills sold in large plastic bottles in supermarkets. The founder of Newt also owns Babylon Stollen, a historic vineyard in South Africa, and applies similar standards to Newt’s “fine cider.” In terms of luxury and hospitality, we are confident in the new offering, which is somewhat shocking to Britons. It’s understandable to learn that Newt is not with other rural hotels or experiences in the UK and is so consistent with French fashion label Hermes, but it’s still surprising. Luckily, the bags are available for a very reasonable £28.
For insight into Newt’s approach, look at Hasegawa’s head’s resume, the head of creatives. Japanese-born Atsushi, a 10-year resident of the UK, is a fly fishing instructor and first describes a vinyl DJ. He “reminisces revitalization” in terms of hospitality and event, but also what he can design the bag. His idea was to rearrange the logo on the back of the Newt x Niwaki tool bag and place only a dem label on the front with the message “Newt Gardening Team and Niwaki cross-pollinated.” As Niwaki founder Jake Hobson points out, most people put these bags back in front.
