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.
If nothing really stands out, everything starts to blend together.
It’s been almost four years since I became a hairstylist. I’ve been working here for about two and a half years, after moving from my previous salon.
Each salon has its own atmosphere, but I truly feel that Bloc japon is unlike any other. The styles aren’t overly conservative—they’re bold, expressive, and effortlessly cool.
I used to aim for hairstyles that were popular—like the trendy, “cool guy” looks you’d see from Korea or all over social media. But after coming here, learning about the deeper values behind what we do, and hearing so much from our director, my perspective has changed a lot.
I sometimes get the chance to do hair for magazine shoots, and I’ve realized that unless a hairstyle really stands out in some way, it just blends in with everything else.
I never want to be outdone by other salons. While I do embrace the charm of Korean styles, I always try to add a different nuance—something like a West Coast vibe from the U.S., for example. If everything is too bright, it can start to feel dry and lifeless, so I balance it out with darker filters to create a more grounded look. I really value that kind of personal touch—my own sense of style.
Right now, I'm focused on exposing myself to truly good things—diving deeper into everything I see and feel. And when I discover something that resonates with me, something I genuinely love, I want to be able to express it clearly and with confidence.
The texture of the leather adds a refined edge to your style.
When it comes to fashion, I usually go for vintage pieces. Still, I aim to express a sense of refinement and sophistication in my style—so I make it a point to incorporate shirts, and I carefully choose leather shoes and belts to elevate the overall look.
When it comes to materials, I’m genuinely drawn to the texture of this leather scissor bag. It’s something I truly love—the leather adds a sense of sophistication, subtly pulling my entire look together.
Because I’m someone who puts thought into every detail, I feel like this bag, in a way, represents that. It reflects who I am and what I care about.
The texture of leather brings a refined edge to my style.
It’s not just the sense of luxury—I also really feel how practical it is. For example, I carry three different thinning shears, and I use all of them regularly. The bag lets me access each one smoothly, without any hassle.
When I’m cutting hair, I want to stay focused and not be distracted by unnecessary things. That’s why being able to just slip tools in and out smoothly really matters to me. It may seem like a small detail, but it actually makes a big difference.
And then there’s the strap—it’s another thing I really like. It’s adjustable, so I can wear it not just across the body, but also around the waist. Personally, I prefer wearing it at the waist because it stays out of the way. Plus, the black leather belt blends in really well—it doesn’t feel out of place, which makes it even better.
That refined look—I don’t want anything getting in the way of it.
In that sense, it’s packed with practical features—but overall, the design is so simple. And that’s exactly what I love about it.
I put a lot of value on visual appeal, so I try to keep things minimal and intentional. When something already has a refined feel to it, I want to preserve that sense of elegance.
It’s only been about six months, but I want to keep using it for a long time and let it develop character over time.
That’s the joy of leather, after all.
Shogo Hosoya
Instagram：＠_shogo.h_