The PORTER SENSES Trunkshow Heads to London's The Garbstore

Japanese accessories brand PORTER is grounded in premium craftsmanship and detailed quality cemented at its core across Asia and beyond. PORTER elevates its retail experience through interactive exhibitions within its SENSES Trunkshow series, traveling to London for the first edition in Europe.

PORTER is stepping into London's The Garbstore in Notting Hill, hosting an expansive pop-up where you can experience the bags firsthand. The SENSES installation lets you get up close and personal with PORTER's new collection, showcasing its signature aGEL cushioning system by integrating your sense of touch and smell. The latter is activated through SHOEIDO fragrances, filling the air with delicate aromas filtered through scented omamori charms.

PORTER will deliver two new bags exclusive to The Garbstore, accompanied by free pins and carabiners. The collaboration will also include a capsule collection ranging from co-branded printed crewnecks to T-shirts and caps.

Hypebeast caught up with PORTER to discuss the brand's trip to London and the history behind its high-quality bags.

It's the first time SENSES has been showcased outside Japan. Is there any significance to the timing?

"The SENSES series was launched in the spring of 2022 when Covid was still ongoing; it had become difficult for us to deliver our bags to customers as we had done in the past. We held pop-ups in various locations across Japan, just as our founder, Kichizo Yoshida, originally did, delivering our new SENSES series directly to the areas where our customers live. At the pop-up, you can fully experience the SENSES line, such as checking the scent of the sachet and experiencing the functionality of the elevated padding used within the bag... by dropping an egg onto a sheet of theαGEL just 2cm thick. We are also finally ready to hold pop-ups with this complex and fascinating program overseas."

What made you choose London?

"Londoners are very accepting of new things and are very fashion forward. For that reason, we thought the new concept of SENSES would be a good match. We would like to expand from London to Europe and the US."

Garbstore is the only store in the UK that's stocking every piece from the SENSES collection, can you tell us about your relationship with them?

"Garbstore has been our partner for many years, helping to promote the PORTER brand from London. We have collaborated in the past, making our partnership very special. We believe that Garbstore is the perfect partner to convey the appeal of the full SENSES series to our customers."

Porter Yoshida & Co. has been around for almost a century; what's changed since its early days, and what has largely remained the same?

"Our consistent philosophy since the company's founding has been "heart and soul in every stitch." Above all, we are proud that our bags have been made in Japan and that everyone continues to be carefully produced by skilled craftsmen within our country. In this context, we now have the opportunity to sell our bags overseas, which is one of the biggest changes since the company was founded."

How important is heritage for a brand like Porter Yoshida & Co.?

"The craftsmen who sew our bags are committed to their craft and always looking to improve, techniques are perfected through years of experience and are essential for our products. Their sewing techniques and passing this down to future generations is extremely important."

What is your favorite piece from the collection?

"The Daypack. It incorporates all the elements we focused on when developing SENSES, such as the Alpha GEL shoulder pads, the sling binder, and the black holes. (Patented side pockets that expand internally, maintaining the external silhouette of the bag when in use). It is a highly versatile bag that can be used for both business and leisure activities."

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The PORTER SENSES Trunkshow Heads to London's The Garbstore

The PORTER SENSES Trunkshow Heads to London's The Garbstore

The PORTER SENSES Trunkshow Heads to London's The Garbstore

The PORTER SENSES Trunkshow Heads to London's The Garbstore

The PORTER SENSES Trunkshow Heads to London's The Garbstore