Three Worlds
Handbags for Gaja Hanzel
The Three Worlds One Heart handbag collection explores the intersection of heritage storytelling and modern design. The handbags are developed as narrative objects, translating cultural influences from three regions into patterns, forms and color palettes. Crafted from plant based leather alternatives and printed natural textiles, each handbag balances functionality with emotional depth. The collection emphasizes timeless design, local production and the role of the handbag as a personal carrier of memory and movement.
Download Press Kit № 178374
Download Press Kit № 178374 Handbags for Gaja Hanzel by Gaja Hanzel to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.
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Three Worlds by Gaja Hanzel
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Handbags by Gaja Hanzel
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Gaja Hanzel Three Worlds
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Gaja Hanzel Handbags
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Gaja Hanzel Designer Portrait Photo
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Three Worlds Handbags Press Releases
Press releases for Three Worlds are now accessible in these languages: English.
Three Worlds Handbags Translations
We ensure Three Worlds is globally understood with translations available in these languages: പ്രാഥമിക ധർമ്മം: ഹാൻഡ്ബാഗുകൾ ML, Basktijiet tal-idejn MT, Primary Function: Ngā Pēke Ringa MI, प्राथमिक कार्य: हँडबॅग MR, Гар цүнх MN, मुख्य कार्य: ह्यान्डब्याग NE, Primary Function: Håndvesker NO, Primary Function: Håndvesker NB, Foncion Primària: Saquets de man OC, ପ୍ରାଥମିକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ: ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡବ୍ୟାଗ୍ OR, لومړنی دنده: لاسي بکسونه PS, کیف دستی FA, Torebki PL, Função Principal: Bolsas PT, ਪ੍ਰਾਇਮਰੀ ਫੰਕਸ਼ਨ: ਹੈਂਡਬੈਗ PA, Wayaqakuna QU, Genți de mână RO, Сумки RU, Primary Function: Ato Lima SM, हस्तस्यूताः SA, Ručne torbe SR, Bhegi Reruoko SN, بنيادي ڪم: هٿ ٿيلها SD, මූලික කාර්යය: අත් බෑග් SI, Základná funkcia: Kabelky SK, Ročne torbice SL, Primary Function: Boorsooyin Gacmeed SO, Primary Function: Mekotlana ea letsoho ST, Función principal: Bolsos de mano ES, Fungsi Utama: Tas Tangan SU, Kazi ya Msingi: Mikoba SW, Primary Function: Handväskor SV, Pangunahing Punsyon: Mga Handbag TL, Функсияи асосӣ: Ҳамёнҳо TG, கைப்பைகள் TA, Төп функция: Кул сумкалары TT, హ్యాండ్బ్యాగ్లు TE, กระเป๋าถือ TH, ལག་འཁྱེར་ལྤགས་ཁུག BO, ቀንዲ ዕዮ፦ ናይ ኢድ ማሕፉዳታት TI, El Çantaları TR, Esasy Wezipe: El sumkalary TK, Сумки UK, ہینڈ بیگز UR, Asosiy wezipisi: Qol sumkiliri UG, Asosiy vazifa: Qo'l sumkalari UZ, Chức năng chính: Túi xách VI, Bagiau Llaw CY, Primaire Funksje: Handtassen FY, Umsebenzi Omkhulu: Iingxowa Zesandla XH, פּרימאַרע פֿונקציע: הענטבײַטלען YI, Primary Function: Àwọn Àpò Ọwọ́ YO, Umsebenzi Oyinhloko: Izikhwama Zesandla ZU, Primêre Funksie: Handsakke AF, Çanta dore SQ, ዋና ተግባር፡ የእጅ ቦርሳዎች AM, Ձեռքի պայուսակներ HY, মুখ্য কাৰ্য: হাতবেগ AS, Əl çantaları AZ, হ্যান্ডব্যাগ BN, Primarna funkcija: Ručne torbe BS, الوظيفة الأساسية: حقائب اليد AR, Eskuko poltsak EU, Асноўная функцыя: Сумкі BE, Дамски чанти BG, လက်ကိုင်အိတ်များ MY, Bosses de mà CA, Panguna nga Gamit: Mga Bag nga Bitbit CEB, Ntchito Yaikulu: Zikwama Zam'manja NY, 手提包 ZH, Primary Function: Borse CO, Ručne torbe HR, Kabelky CS, Primære funktion: Håndtasker DA, Handtassen NL, Mansakoj EO, Käekotid ET, Käsilaukut FI, Fonction principale : Sacs à main FR, Málaí Láimhe GD, Función Principal: Bolsos de man GL, ხელჩანთები KA, Handtaschen DE, Πρωταρχική Λειτουργία: Τσάντες Χειρός EL, Vosa poguy GN, હેન્ડબેગ્સ GU, Fonksyon Prensipal: Sak men HT, Primary Function: Jakunkuna na Hannu HA, ʻEke Lima HAW, תיקי יד HE, हैंडबैग HI, Lub Hnab Tes HMN, Kézitáskák HU, Handtöskur IS, Ọrụ Bụ Isi: Akpa aka IG, Fungsi Utama: Tas Tangan ID, Príomhfheidhm: Málaí Láimhe GA, Borse IT, ハンドバッグ JA, Fungsi Utama: Tas Tangan JV, ಪ್ರಾಥಮಿಕ ಕಾರ್ಯ: ಹ್ಯಾಂಡ್ಬ್ಯಾಗ್ಗಳು KN, Негізгі қызметі: Әйел сөмкелері KK, កាបូបយួរ KM, Primary Function: Amasakoshi RW, 핸드백 KO, Primary Function: جانتای دەست KU, Негизги функция: Кол баштыктары KY, Sacculi manuales LA, ໜ້າທີ່ຫຼັກ: ກະເປົ໋າຖື LO, Rokassomas LV, Rankinės LT, Primär Funktioun: Handtaschen LB, Примарна функција: Рачни чанти MK, Kitapo tanana MG, Fungsi Utama: Beg Tangan MS, Handbags EN, 手袋 ZY.
Three Worlds Handbags Media Articles
Explore our ready-to-use articles on Three Worlds, available in multiple languages: Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, Portuguese, Indonesian, Arabic (Standard), Japanese, Turkish, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Spanish, English, French, Italian and German, for your feature stories.
Unique Properties
The Three Worlds One Heart handbag collection is based on a biographical design concept translating personal histories from three countries into functional objects. Each model reflects the distinct lifestyles of three sisters: a travel companion, a compact everyday bag, a market drawstring tote, and a vintage inspired silhouette for day and evening use. Three original prints, rooted in memory and cultural heritage, appear on exterior or lining. The series comprises four handbags in three color variations, combining narrative depth, functionality, and lasting emotional value.
Tags
bag design, pattern design, cultural heritage, women's handbag, timeless design, original prints
Production Technology
The project applies a narrative driven design methodology, transforming biographical research into functional products. Textile patterns were developed combining hand-drawn motifs and digital refinement, forming a cohesive visual system inspired by cultural heritage, landscapes, and personal memories. Bags are crafted from cotton and apple waste leather alternative featuring original digital prints. Each form was refined through prototyping and structural testing, resulting in balanced proportions and functional clarity, with shapes inspired by each bag’s intended use and the region where the sisters lived.
Design Challenge
The main challenge was translating intimate family narratives and diverse cultural contexts into a cohesive and contemporary handbag designs while maintaining functional clarity. Developing original prints that respectfully reflect three cultural environments required extensive research into heritage, symbols and color language. Additional challenges included technical limitations of materials, local production, and pattern scalability, which demanded iterative experimentation to ensure functional, durable, and ethically produced designs.
Project Duration
The project began in June 2025 in Gorizia, Italy and ended in November 2025 in Sezana, Slovenia. It was exhibited at the local cultural center in Slovenia.
Operation Flow
The collection offers versatile carrying options for everyday use. Two models feature adjustable and removable straps, allowing shoulder, crossbody, or hand carry. The two larger bags provide ample space for personal items. Textile patterns appear on the exterior for some bags and as lining for others, creating a visual surprise. Each design balances functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, adapting effortlessly to different occasions and styling needs.
Research
This project is based on qualitative, practice led design research. The objective was to explore how family history, regional cultural heritage, and everyday lifestyles can inform contemporary handbag forms and textile patterns. The research translated personal and regional narratives using visual research, cultural analysis, original print development, material testing and prototyping. Data came from archives, family narratives, field visits, and photography. Results produced cohesive patterns and functional forms, translating memory, culture, and daily life into versatile handbags.
Inspiration
The handbags originate from an intimate family narrative, inspired by the life stories of three sisters, including my grandmother, whose lives unfolded across three countries: Slovenia, Croatia and North Macedonia. Their stories initiated an indepth research process into personal memories, cultural heritage and architectural forms, which shaped the overall designs and original prints, translating memories and cultural identity into a cohesive visual language.
Image Credits
Image #No 1, 4, 5 : Photographer Dominique Pozzo, Three Worlds, 2025 Image #No 2, 3 : Photographer Gaja Hanzel, Three Worlds, 2025
Project Overview
Three Worlds Handbags has been a Iron winner in the Fashion and Travel Accessories Design award category in the year 2025 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.
Iron Recognition
Gaja Hanzel was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2026, a testament to excellence of their work Three Worlds Handbags.
Gaja Hanzel Press Releases
Access a rich repository of press releases on Gaja Hanzel, offered to press and media professionals for unrestricted use in their stories. Journalists, gain instant access to 1 press releases today.
Gaja Hanzel's "Three Worlds" Handbag Collection Wins Iron A' Design Award for Cultural Storytelling
Sezana, Slovenia - June 2026 - Designer Gaja Hanzel has been honored with the Iron A' Design Award for her "Three Worlds" handbag collection, a series inspired by the personal histories of three sisters across Slovenia, Croatia, and North Macedonia, blending cultural heritage and contemporary design into functional, emotionally resonant accessories.
Gaja Hanzel Newsroom
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