It may not be widely known, but at REN, we craft scissor bags for hairstylists using our pigskin leather, HALLIE. These bags are designed to hold their essential tools of the trade.
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The idea began with a hair salon in Shibuya—"bloc japon"—where one of our REN staff members has been getting their hair cut for over 20 years. In conversation with the salon’s founder, Hiroshi Yamamoto, REN designer Yanagimoto shaped the concept, and the scissor bag was officially launched in 2012.
When the scissor bag was first released, sales were slow to grow, and production quietly came to an end after about two years. Within the company, a mindset had gradually taken hold—if it doesn’t sell, perhaps it isn’t worth making. Before we realized it, we had started focusing only on what was sure to sell.
Then came the pandemic. Everything changed, and we were compelled to pause and reflect—on what we were doing, and what we truly wanted to do.
Since 2012, both our skills and mindset have evolved. That’s precisely why—even if the demand is modest—we feel ready to try again: to create and offer a newly designed scissors bag, shaped by what we've learned since then.
And so, out of that renewed intention, the Scissors Bag Cigs was born.
The name “Cigs” is a nod to cigarettes—a subtle reference to Yamamoto-san’s smoking habit and the silhouette of the bag, which happens to resemble a cigarette box.
In this story, we shine a light on the younger stylists who carry on the philosophy of bloc japon. We asked them to try the new scissor bag for themselves, and spoke with them not only about the bag—but about who they are and what they believe in.
And I felt it—deeply—that it was worth making again.
It enhances your look—and keeps you polished.
I originally started going to bloc japon as a customer. It was the first salon that truly understood—and delivered on—my rather particular preferences for hairstyle and color. That’s why I now aspire to become a stylist who can do the same: someone who not only meets clients’ expectations, but also offers new ideas to help them discover fresh styles.
I think the first time I really became aware of what it meant to “dress up” or care about style was in my third year of junior high. When I set my sights on going to a high school where I’d be allowed to dye my hair, it gave me the motivation to study harder, too.
You know how just changing your hairstyle can totally elevate your whole look? It makes you look put-together, too. It’s like—it adds flair, but it’s also grooming. It’s both.
Of course I want my scissors bag to look stylish—but when it’s made of leather, it also gives off that professional stylist vibe. It makes you look polished, like you really know what you’re doing. That’s what I love about this one from REN. As soon as I saw it, I thought, “It’s so cute!”—I was instantly drawn to it.
Even if the outside gets worn and messy, the inside stays clean.
I’ve only been using it for about six months, but it’s already pretty worn—sorry about that... Still, I believe the wrinkles and marks give it character. I plan to keep using it every day, letting it age and get even more worn in.
Most scissor bags are made with a single compartment, but this one comes with a removable scissor holder that doubles as a divider. On days I wear a skirt, I use the back side of the divider like a pocket and slip my phone in there. Hair tends to collect at the bottom of the bag, but since the scissor holder can be removed, it’s easy to clean out. That’s why I can always keep it in a neat and tidy state.
I really love the strap too. The narrow width and clean design—free from bulky buckles—keep the look streamlined. Even when I’m sitting with the bag wrapped around my waist, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable. And since it’s made of leather, it catches nicely at the waist and stays in place just right.
Leather always adds a touch of style.
Back when I was in beauty school, I really didn’t like the scissors bag we were required to use (laughs). The strap was made of a stiff, seatbelt-like material, with a large buckle that felt bulky and uncomfortable. It was just unpleasant to wear. I remember wishing I could swap out the strap myself—but unfortunately, the design didn’t allow for removal.
I often like to tweak or customize my clothes and shoes myself. For example, if I want to wear oversized pants but the waist is too loose, I’ll take them in myself. Or if I find a pair of shoes and think, “They’d be cuter with higher heels,” I’ll try adding a little lift at the back.
With leather bags, it’s totally okay to punch a hole in them, right? I’d love to add some piercings. I’m also thinking about attaching something like a whipped cream nozzle near the strap base—it could make a cute glove holder. Leather just feels like the perfect canvas for decorating and customizing.
Of all my work tools, this one's closest to who I am.
When it comes to work tools, I rarely choose based on design or cuteness. Take this hair clip, for example—I don’t particularly like how it looks, but it holds any kind of hair really well. For me, it’s always about what works best for my clients.
But when it comes to scissors bags, they’re the one work tool I get to choose based on what I like—what feels right in my hands, what I think is cute.
Reika Nara
Stylist at bloc japon
URL：block japon
Instagram：@imr3ikq