Studio Ghibli Releases Woven Gobelin Tote Bags

Studio Ghibli’s specialty chain Donguri Kyowakoku continues to turn its films into lovely apparel and accessories. Through its Donguri Closet brand, which has previously given fans heroine dresses and anime jewelry, it has now released two tote bags that look more like framed artworks than everyday accessories.

The bags are made from Gobelin tapestry, a delicate woven fabric often used in upholstery and decorative arts, which lends each one a rich, painterly quality that captures the mood of its film.

The first is the Laputa: Castle in the Sky tote, featuring the cheerful fox squirrels bounding through their forest home, with the little creatures embroidered in crisp focus on top. Beyond its looks, it is practical too, fully lined with an inner pocket and even a woven tag depicting the iconic Levitation Stone.

The second pays tribute to Kiki’s Delivery Service, placing the black cat Jiji in the foreground while the Okino family home is woven softly into the background. A stylish two tone handle adds an elegant finishing touch.

Both bags blend genuine function with the kind of artistry that makes Ghibli merchandise so special.

My take: These really do look like wearable art, and the Gobelin weave is a gorgeous match for Ghibli’s painterly worlds. I could easily see myself carrying the Jiji tote everywhere.