An offbeat mix of New York grit and Japanese charm comes together across four highly collectible bag styles.
A Collaboration Rooted in Everyday Oddities
New York artist Aurel Schmidt has teamed up with Japanese heritage luggage label PORTER for a new capsule collection that transforms her distinctive illustrations into wearable accessories. Known for finding beauty in overlooked objects, Schmidt often incorporates things like cigarette butts, discarded toys, loose pills and urban debris into her artwork, creating playful characters and scenes inspired by everyday city life.
Four Bags Packed With Personality
The collection includes four silhouettes: a backpack, a two-way tote, a roll Boston bag and a two-way Madison bag. Each piece features colorful zipper accents and an omamori-inspired charm that adds a subtle nod to Japanese culture. The bags balance PORTER’s functional design language with Schmidt’s irreverent artistic style, creating pieces that feel both practical and expressive.
Exclusive Artwork With a One-of-a-Kind Finish
Schmidt developed a custom all-over print inspired by her experiences in Japan while also incorporating references to PORTER’s heritage. The artwork features an eclectic mix of fish heads, fruit peels, lucky charms, loose yen and other found objects scattered across a white nylon base. Because the fabric is cut differently for each bag, every piece carries a unique arrangement of the illustrations. The collection is available now through select PORTER locations and the YOSHIDA & Co. online store.
