Research Article

Local Roots, Global Reach, Fashionable Style: A Study on Integrating the Ka-Tsi Bag with Leather in Innovative Fashion Accessory Design

Cheng Being Chen 1 *
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1 Department of Fashion Design, Tainan University of Technology, Tainan 310302, Taiwan* Corresponding Author
Innovation on Design and Culture, 5(3), September 2026, 1-12, https://doi.org/10.35745/idc2026v05.03.0001
Submitted: 21 December 2025, Published: 30 August 2026
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ABSTRACT

Centered on the concept of “Local Roots. Global Reach. Fashionable Style,” this study explores an innovative approach to fashion accessory design by integrating the Ka-Tsi (Gaji) Bag — a traditional Taiwanese nylon mesh shopping bag — with leather, creating the Ka-Tsi series of products, including short boots, sandals, and a 2-in-1 hand-carry bucket bag. The study examines the cultural significance of the Ka-Tsi Bag and the material characteristics that define it, the application of paper-rattan weaving crafts, and mixed-material integration techniques. Through literature review and analysis, followed by a field survey conducted at the Ka-Tsi Workshop, the study conducted mixed-material experimentation and design practice, ultimately creating three innovative fashion accessories. Combining aesthetic appeal, functionality, and cultural implication, these pieces exemplify a reinterpretation of traditional crafts within modern fashion. The study finds that: (1) the innovative integration of mixed materials with traditional crafts enhances the cultural recognizability of fashion accessories. (2) The use of diverse materials enables the fusion of functionality and aesthetic appeal in these accessories. (3) This approach deepens the value of handicrafts in fashion design, facilitating the promotion of local cultures to the international design community.
Keywords: Ka-Tsi (Gaji) Bag, Fashion design, Accessories, Innovation, Local cultures

CITATION (APA)

Chen, C. B. (2026). Local Roots, Global Reach, Fashionable Style: A Study on Integrating the Ka-Tsi Bag with Leather in Innovative Fashion Accessory Design. Innovation on Design and Culture, 5(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.35745/idc2026v05.03.0001

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