Fri, Sep 20, 24
The iconic Tanker series from the Japanese brand Porter Yoshida has entered a new era. The All New Tanker bags are now made from 100% plant-derived nylon, sourced from castor oil and corn. This is a remarkable move for the brand, which has been deeply rooted in tradition since its founding in 1962. In this blog, we will explore the history of Porter Yoshida and the new era it has embraced.
The beginning of Porter Yoshida
The story of Porter Yoshida began when its founder, Kichizo Yoshida, established his first bag making atelier in 1935. The company's first major test came with the Second World War, when Yoshida and many of his craftsmen were called upon for military service. In his absence, Yoshida's wife had to hide his tools which luckily survived the aerial attacks during the war. Thanks to the stylish and innovative designs, Yoshida & Co.'s bags became immensely popular during the 1950s, especially after Japanese Empress Emiki Michiko was seen on television sporting a Porter Yoshida bag.
Kichizo Yoshida - founder of Porter Yoshida (through www.bulangandsons.com)
The Tanker collection was born
Porter’s iconic Tanker collection is its most popular collection, which was launched in 1983. The collection is based on the classic MA1 U.S. Air Force ‘Rescue Orange’ pilot bomber jacket. Stranded war pilots would wear their jackets, which had an orange lining, inside-out in case of emergency landings: this way they would be seen from high above. Find this collection in our store in the beautiful Sage Green, Iron Blue, and black colours.
A new era for the iconic Tanker collection
After 41 years, it's time for a change: the Tanker collection is evolving without losing its essence. From now on, all Tanker bags are made from 100% plant-derived nylon, sourced from castor oil and corn. This new method of production is not only highly sustainable, but it also ensures that the quality surpasses that of the previous Tanker bags. Yet, the bags are still handmade in Japan by the company's skilled craftsmen, who put great care and dedication into every piece.
Shop the All New Tanker Collection now online and in-store at Elandsgracht 60, Amsterdam.
