After graduating from Parsons The New School for Design and working as a web designer for a New York fashion marketing company, I launched the web marketing firm “booplan inc.” in Tokyo and offered consulting and production services in both branding and marketing.During that time I had to carry my laptop and documents around in a bag with me each and every day.I searched for the perfect bag, but could not find one suitable for my specific needs.Despite living in an era that has developed advanced manufacturing technology and where you can 3D print an object from anywhere in the world, I feel that today’s bags experience problems with weight, functionality, and poor ease of use.The fact that pollution from the chemicals used in the leather tanning process are constantly causing damage and having such a negative impact on child health, especially in areas in emerging countries with a prosperous leather industry, also became an incentive for my research into new materials.I also founded “BLUE FOR TOHOKU”, which is an NPO for aiding reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake, where we specifically aid orphanages in the disaster area. Through this work, my awareness of environmental and animal protection was further increased, and although I searched for a bag that did not use animal hide, I was unable to find one that was still functional or elegant.When I shared my thoughts many people had the same feelings as I did and lent me their cooperation, which eventually led to me launching FUMIKODA as a new choice for women who demand both functional and elegant bags that are environmentally friendly.