Ayla

Bag for Rochester Institute of Technology

Ayla is a modular and transformable leather bag system incorporating detachable hardware, replaceable leather panels, and pre-planned patterns to allow the product to last multiple life cycles. The detachable hardware facilitates ease of repair when the product gets damaged; instead of replacing the entire product, simply replace the damaged leather panel. Alternatively, transform the damaged panel into a new item using the pre-planned patterns. The ability to fully disassemble the product allows for an environmentally friendly end-of-life through repair or repurpose.

Download Press Kit № 167955

Download Press Kit № 167955 Bag for Rochester Institute of Technology by Liam Huff to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Ayla by Liam Huff

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Bag by Liam Huff

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Liam Huff Ayla

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Liam Huff Bag

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Liam Huff Designer Portrait Photo

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Rochester Institute of TechnologyBrand Logo

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Unique Properties

Modular and transformable leather panels along with detachable hinges allow Ayla to last multiple product life cycles. The detachable hinge facilitates ease of repair when the product gets damaged. Simply undo the hinge and replace the damaged leather panel, eliminating the need to throw away the entire product. The ability to fully disassemble the product allows for an environmentally friendly end-of-life with the ability to either repair or transform old leather panels into new products.

Tags

Bag, Leather, Sustainable, Hardware, Interchangeable, Replaceable, Tote, Modular Panels, Transformable

Production Technology

Experimenting with multiple 3D printed components, I focused on exploring ways to attach leather panels without the use of stitching. I landed on a pin system. Leather panels are sandwiched between an outer hinge and an inner plate. The panels are secured atop the pins and then anchored with a series of screws. With these hinges, everything from the handle, to the main body, to the interior can be replaced. Final hinges were made of polished brass to ensure longevity with extended ware.

Design Challenge

The hardest part of this project was finding the perfect intersection of functionality/sustainability and desired look. I determined through my research that my target audience wanted a product that had sustainable attributes but looked no different from a traditional bag. I could achieve the desired function but not in an aesthetic that was appealing to my audience. Through many rounds of prototypes and interviews, I came to a final mechanism that satisfied both ends.

Project Duration

Started in August of 2023 at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, USA. and finished in May of 2024 in Rochester, New York, USA.

Operation Flow

The detachable nature of the metal hinge allows for components within the product to be interchanged when damage occurs. If one side of the product gets damaged, simply replace that panel, not the entire item; this reduces wastage. Additionally, the main leather panels were designed to be turned into a different, smaller product if only one panel can be salvaged. Predetermined patterns ensure that one panel can be turned into a smaller clutch, further reducing the waste of the item.

Research

I started with database research to determine opportunities to reduce waste. I interviewed 4 professionals in the fashion accessories industry. I used these two methods to inform my hinge mechanism. For product look and feel, I used a survey to determine bag silhouette, mood boards to determine detail and target audience, triading to determine desired look, narrative scenarios to determine how the bag would be used, and user interviews to ultimately hone in on a final design direction.

Inspiration

Leather is one of the most polluting sectors within fashion. Most leather products contribute to the idea of take-make-waste. Reducing environmental impact is not as simple as switching to a leather alternative. Almost all alternatives are polymer based and cannot match traditional leather's longevity. If farmed regeneratively, used as meat industry byproduct, and, if able to be used multiple times, leather can be sustainable. Ayla explores how we can use leather to its maximum potential.

Image Credits

Image #1 : Photographer Elizabeth Lemark, AYLA_1_3600.jpg, 2024. Image #2 : Photographer Chelsea Cohen, AYLA_MAIN_1800.jpg, 2024. Image #3 : Photographer Chelsea Cohen, AYLA_2.jpg, 2024. Image #4 : Photographer Elizabeth Lemark, AYLA_3.jpg, 2024. Image #5 : Photographer, Sneha Yalgi, AYLA_5.jpg, 2024

Project Overview

Ayla Bag has been a Iron winner in the Fashion and Travel Accessories Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Iron Recognition

Liam Huff was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Ayla Bag.

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