il modo｜Slimmest Multi compartments Leather Wallet

Even in today’s cashless age, there are still plenty of moments when cash is king—especially while traveling, dining at local spots, or tipping. So what kind of wallet truly meets the needs of modern life?

Introducing il modo—the long wallet designed based on real feedback from thousands of supporters and social media users. Built to solve the common frustrations of compact wallets, il modo brings together form, function, and style.

Even smaller — aiming to be the most compact long wallet ever

Unbelievable storage in a size this small!

Holds up to 30 bills, 25 coins, 10 cards, plus receipts, keys, and more.
(Based on Japanese yen: fits up to 20 bills if all are ¥10,000 notes, or over 30 with mixed denominations.)

In today’s cashless world, you may not always carry that much—but it's good to know you could. This is more than just a compact wallet. It's a compact wallet with incredible capacity.

Think about it: there’s a big difference between a wallet that barely fits 10 bills and one that easily holds 30—even if you’re only carrying 10. The extra space means smoother use, faster access, and no more stuffing.

The fact that we've achieved this level of storage in such a downsized, minimalist design—that’s what sets this project apart. And we’re proud of it.

Cards neatly upright. Coins casually tossed in.

Most wallets stack multiple cards in one slot, forcing you to pull out the whole bundle just to find the one you need. It’s time-consuming and frustrating.

With il modo, all your cards are visible the moment you open it—so you can grab the right one instantly.

Tiny gaps between cards let you grab one in a snap.

Zero fuss with coins.

Just toss your coins in—no need to fuss.
You can even slip in receipts together, making checkout quick and stress-free, even during busy times.

Find the coins you need instantly.Of course, bills slide out just as easily.

 Now also available in a left-handed version

※Now also available in a left-handed version.

※The left-handed version is designed for those who naturally pull out cards with their left hand.

Please select your preferred color and handedness when making your purchase.

il modo = It represents “the path.”

“Il modo” is Italian for “the path.”

When I create a new product, the journey from zero to completion is never a straight or smooth road.Sometimes, just when I think I’m close to the finish line, I find myself back at the start. Other times, the destination itself changes from what I originally envisioned.

There are long stretches of time that may seem unproductive—days that appear to have no immediate results.But when the ideal form finally comes together, all those seemingly meaningless days reveal themselves as essential parts of a single, connected path.

“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
These words by American thinker and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson have stayed with me.

Since August 2020, I’ve launched two projects on Makuake over the course of a year, all centered around one theme: the “compact long wallet.”

At a time when foldable compact wallets were dominating the market, I wanted to create a new path—a “small long wallet.”
There were voices saying, “I don’t want to fold my bills,” “I need more storage,” and “Tiny wallets are hard to use.” These needs from long wallet users happened to align perfectly with the growing trend of smaller wallets.

As a result, our FRAGMAN series received an overwhelming response and was featured in numerous magazines and media outlets.

The Journey to “Stand-Up Card Slots”

One of the most common pieces of feedback we received was: “I want to store my cards inside the wallet.”
In the FRAGMAN series, we achieved an ultra-compact design by placing the card slots on the outside of the wallet.

However, even though the cards didn’t actually fall out, many users still expressed a sense of unease about having them on the outside.

Our goal this time was to create a wallet even smaller than the FRAGMAN series—measuring just 16.5 cm × 8.5 cm—while still allowing multiple cards to be securely stored inside.That was the key design challenge we had to overcome.

The first idea we considered was Plan A, where multiple diagonal slits (cut-outs) would be made in a single piece of leather, allowing cards to be inserted into each slit.

However, this design came with several issues.
First, since the cards are simply held in place by the slits, there's a risk that they could shift or scatter inside the wallet if it’s shaken sideways.
Additionally, because the cards must be pulled out diagonally rather than straight upward, the card on the far right becomes difficult to remove due to interference from the gusset.
The gusset also interferes when inserting cards, making the process cumbersome and less smooth overall.

The next idea we came up with was Plan B, a design where each card would be held in place by its own dedicated flap.At first, this seemed like a great solution, and we even created a full product sample based on it.

However, after some use, we noticed an issue: the corners of the flaps started to lift and curl forward.Even rounding the flap corners didn’t solve the problem.

In addition, similar to Plan A, the cards were only held between the flaps. So when the wallet was shaken vigorously, the cards would shift and scatter inside, making it unreliable.

Each flap is individually sewn and enclosed for every card slot, requiring a high level of craftsmanship and time.However, this approach prevents the cards from shifting inside the wallet, and unlike Plan B, the corners of the flaps won’t curl or lift over time

Additionally, all cards can be pulled out straight upward, making it extremely user-friendly.This structure isn’t just limited to this wallet—it can also be applied to zipper wallets like the FRAGMAN zip, making it one of the most valuable design insights we've gained for future product development.

Those wallets that often advertise “Only XX mm thick!” tend to bulk up quickly once you put in a few cards, coins, and bills.

What really matters is how slim the wallet stays even after it’s filled.

In il modo, cards and coins share the same compartment, allowing the coins to naturally settle into the spaces around the thickness of the cards.This clever layout prevents the widest points of the cards and coins from overlapping, helping the wallet maintain its slim profile—even when fully loaded.

※Design patent pending in Japan.

Slim enough to keep your suit silhouette sharp.

Lightweight body at just 95 grams

MADE IN JAPAN
Crafted with Himeji-produced oil-shrunken leather.

In our previous FRAGMAN series, we used Tochigi leather.
This time, we’ve chosen another renowned domestic leather—Himeji leather, one of Japan’s most iconic alongside Tochigi.

There are several reasons behind this choice, including its vibrant color expression and luxurious surface texture.
But for me personally, what stood out most was the aroma—the rich, natural scent of genuine leather that simply can’t be replicated by synthetic materials. I truly hope you’ll experience it for yourself.

Of course, like Tochigi leather, this leather also ages beautifully over time.
However, it matures at a slightly slower pace, meaning the pristine look and feel of the leather lasts longer in its early stages—another advantage.

It’s truly an exceptional material, and I hope many people will get the chance to experience its quality firsthand.

The leather we use does not come from animals killed for their hides. Instead, it is a byproduct of the meat industry—material that would otherwise be discarded—carefully repurposed into high-quality leather.

At STATUSY, we don’t choose leather based solely on appearance or texture. We prioritize working with trusted domestic tanners and wholesalers who share our values, ensuring we can continue to use high-quality materials for years to come.

Our mission is to create a sustainable system where both makers and users of traditional leather can be genuinely happy.

Every step of il modo—from planning and design to leather cutting, stitching, and final inspection—is carefully carried out in trusted workshops here in Japan.

Ideas and forms that break free from convention are brought to life by skilled artisans with years of experience and exceptional craftsmanship. Each piece is carefully handmade, one by one.Because of this, STATUSY products are not mass-produced in factories. Instead, we proudly deliver the high quality of Japanese craftsmanship directly to our supporters.

Please Note:

※As we use natural leather, each piece may show unique characteristics such as natural scars, color variations, and vein marks inherent to the animal. Aging (patina development over time) is also a key feature of this leather.

※Due to the nature of genuine leather, each product will have slight differences in appearance, making every piece one of a kind. We hope you’ll enjoy this uniqueness as part of its character.

※Please note that listed dimensions, capacity, and weight may vary slightly from piece to piece.

※Colors may appear slightly different in photos compared to the actual product. Color tones may also vary depending on where the leather is cut.

※Regarding our free warranty service:
For initial defects reported within 14 days of delivery, STATUSY will cover the round-trip shipping costs.
After that period, the customer will be responsible for shipping costs both ways.
Repairs after 366 days from the purchase date will be charged, but we will handle them with full care and responsibility.