A great thing that comes with testing, and reviewing is the amount of new knowledge I acquire. The more case manufacturers expand, and collaborate with artists and brands the more I learn. Proporta has teamed up with Kenzo to create a series of leather cases for the iPhone 4. At first I was not even aware that Kenzo was a brand of perfumes, and other beauty products. I am just a big fan of Japanese aesthetics, and was happy with the Asian style. Once I got to know that I started reading up on the brand, and found out that it had got the name from founder Takada Kenzo. I also learned that initially it was all about fashion, and that the fragrance branch came later as with many other large names in fashion.
First out in my trilogy of Kenzo accessories for the iPhone 4 is the Patent Leather Pouch. As the name tells it is made from shiny patent leather that is strong, durable and resistant to wet conditions. It comes in three different color options: red, white and black. I have had the black version for this review.
The pouch is constructed from two pieces of leather. The large piece is sewn shut at one side, and is shaped like a tube. The tube has been shaped, and worked into a square shape to accommodate the phone. Inside this tube the second leather piece is sewn in as a barrier almost at the bottom. This is a unique design that I have never seen before. The lining is a thin fabric with a red and white floral pattern. It does not wipe away any grease, or marks from the screen due to being so thin.
Inserting the iPhone 4 into the pouch is really easy from the top. Ejecting it is done by pressing up on the inner piece of leather. This can be done with a thumb or a finger. It even works if you use it with a single hand, and there are quite few pouches that allow for one-handed extraction. It is such a simple design, but it works really well.
For protection I have some concerns due to the fact that the pouch doesn’t cover my entire white iPhone 4. About 4 millimetres extends above the edge of the pouch, and hence the top part of the phone is quite open if dropped. The thin lining doesn’t offer much friction, and it is far too easy for the iPhone to fall out. My white phone falls out if I hold the pouch upside down without even shaking it. This is an issue if you have your iPhone in a roomy bag, or other place where it can fall out.
The design is beautiful with sleek lines, and the asymmetrical look due to only being sewn on one side of the pouch. The brand name is found in red indented letters on the front. There is also a cool pattern indented into the leather on both the front, and back. This shows the connection with the flower collection that Kenzo is known for.
One cool thing about this pouch that I am not sure was intentional is the fact that it can stand upright. It is wider at the base, and hence it can stand quite sturdily with an iPhone inside. It might sound like a minor point, but I have actually had it standing next to my computer most of the time. It is easy to keep track of, and it turns into something nice to behold instead of just another piece of technology scattering my desk.
I really like the Patent Leather Pouch by Kenzo. It brings a new flair, and some fresh design choices to the iPhone 4. The strange fact that the phone sticks out too much at the top together with the fact that it can fall out involuntary lower the final rating. Still it is a very special pouch that works just as well for women, as for men.
Final Rating
Kenzo Patent Leather Pouch at Proporta.co.uk £24.95
