Workman's Ultimate Bag for Working Women, the "Shigodeki Kaban": A Deep Dive Into the Tote & Backpack!

When you think of women's bags from Workman, the first thing that probably comes to mind is their famous "Mothers' Bag." This popular line is celebrated for its incredible functionality and massive storage capacity, designed to support the hustle and bustle of motherhood.

But what about a business bag for women? Enter the "Shigodeki Kaban," a new line launched with much fanfare this spring. Shun Morikawa, the company's chief buyer, shares, "Alongside the 'Mothers' Bag,' we wanted to create another flagship series for Workman."

We visited a Workman exhibition to get the inside scoop on the development of the "Shigodeki Kaban" and take a closer look at its debut models: a versatile tote bag and backpack.

Looks That Make You Want It at First Sight Are Key

This is Workman's first-ever bag line for working women. Could you start by telling us about the concept behind the "Shigodeki Kaban"?

Workman currently offers a lineup of products that fit into various lifestyle scenes. However, as our company name implies, our roots are firmly planted in 'work.' The spark for this project was our desire to create a bag that seriously addresses the needs of the workplace.

The term "shigodeki" in the series name is a popular buzzword from recent years, meaning someone who is highly competent and efficient at their job. We chose this name to communicate the concept in a clear and catchy way.

The debut includes two models: a "2WAY Tote Bag" and a "3WAY Backpack." At first glance, they struck me as very "chic" bags—almost un-Workman-like, in a way.

When I took charge of women's product development, I felt we were lacking bags that were "instantly cute, instantly desirable." Workman has always been obsessed with functionality, but I believed we needed to take on new challenges with our designs.

A key detail that symbolizes this shift is the gold-colored metal hardware, featured on the Pink Beige and Ivory versions. While personal preference plays a role, adding a touch of gold lends a more feminine vibe. Previously, our philosophy was "the hardware shouldn't stand out," so we typically used plastic components that matched the fabric color.

I see, so one small part can completely change the look. What was your overall design goal?

We designed these for women who carry a lot—laptops, documents, and more—so both the tote and the backpack have a very generous capacity. But we didn't want them to look bulky. To avoid that, we incorporated rounded lines in the body and handles, creating a design that doesn't feel as large as its actual size.

The fabric used for the bag's body also has a very sophisticated feel.

We chose a smooth polyester material. It's a crisp, sturdy fabric, but it's not as heavy as it looks. Here's a tote that's packed with a lot of stuff. Go ahead and pick it up.

You're right. It's surprisingly lightweight for such a nice fabric. But how does it perform functionally?

On top of being water-repellent, it's also stain-resistant. Work bags often end up on the floor, whether it's a train platform or under your desk at the office. We treated the fabric to resist dirt and make any stains easy to wipe away. So while it looks chic, it's actually a very durable fabric.

Plus, both the tote and the backpack feature bottom studs. That's another thoughtful detail designed to keep the bag clean.

Both the tote and the backpack come in four colors. Black and Navy are must-haves, and Ivory is a pretty standard choice for women's accessories. We debated the pink a little. The term "pink" covers a huge spectrum, after all. We ultimately chose a soft, nuanced pink that feels professional enough for the office.

The Core of a 'Super-Efficient' Person is Ample Storage

Let's dive in. What are the key functional features of the 'Shigodeki Bag'?

We designed it for people who carry a lot, so the first thing you'll notice is its large capacity. During our initial research, we also discovered that many professional women carry two bags.

They carry a separate bag for their lunch box and other items in addition to their main one. To address this, we designed both the tote and the backpack with a wide gusset to neatly accommodate a bento box.

But doesn't that mean that even if the bag itself is lightweight, the total weight of everything inside can get quite heavy?

That’s right. That's why we added padding to the tote’s handles to keep them from digging into your hands. The included shoulder strap is also set to be relatively wide. Similarly, the backpack’s straps are thickly padded to ease the strain on your shoulders.

Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the 'Shigodeki Bag' is its array of pockets for efficiently organizing a lot of items. The tote has 17, and the backpack has 16.

Actually, when we started development, we were only planning for about 10 pockets. But as we conducted more interviews with female users, we quickly realized that just wasn't enough.

A major change from the initial prototype is the large pocket on the outside of the main compartment. I felt that many women's bags lack these 'quick-access' pockets. It's really convenient for storing documents or small items you need to grab in a hurry.

The bag is equipped with all sorts of pockets, for everything from a laptop to a sun umbrella. Out of all of them, is there one you're particularly proud of?

I'd say the insulated bottle holder is quite unique. It features a titanium-coated lining.

And while it's not technically a pocket, the included multi-pouch is another major feature of the 'Shigodeki Bag'.

It's handy to have a small pouch when you're touching up your makeup or heading out for lunch. You can even attach the main bag's shoulder strap and use it as a sacoche. And of course, it works perfectly as a bag-in-bag organizer too.

Are there any other standout features of the 'Shigodeki Bag' you'd like to tell us about?

Another fairly unique feature is the cord reel that comes with the backpack. There’s a metal fitting inside the side pocket to attach it. This allows you to pull out and use things like your employee ID card, transit pass, or keys without taking off the backpack.

How We Achieved the 3,500 Yen Price Point

The 'Shigodeki Bag' boasts a beautiful design and extensive storage, yet both the tote and backpack are priced at an astonishing 3,500 yen. How are you able to offer it at such a low price?

There are two main reasons. First, we place our orders during the factory's off-season. This helps keep labor costs down, which in turn leads to the low price. It’s also a win for the factory, as it allows them to stay operational during what would otherwise be a slow period.

The second reason has to do with volume. Workman currently has over 1,000 stores. This means our orders naturally far exceed the factory's minimum production lot (the smallest unit of production). This creates economies of scale, giving us more leverage in price negotiations.

The 'Shigodeki Bag' has just been released. What are your plans for developing it into 'another pillar of Workman's bag lineup'?

To grow the 'Shigodeki Bag' into a core pillar, steady market penetration and continuous updates are essential. We believe this steady effort will build a new standard for 'work bags'.

Building on that, we are planning to launch a new style next season. I can't share the details just yet, but we hope you'll be excited for what's to come.