TISSUE COVER

Tissue paper is a daily necessity.
Driven by a desire to transform this everyday item into an object of interior beauty by stripping away the clutter of daily life—
the minimal TISSUE COVER was born, entirely devoid of decorative excess.

Here, designer Shigeichiro Takeuchi and fog-series developer Yukari Shimizu discuss everything in depth—
from their design insights into every detail to the unique characteristics of each material.

PRODUCT STORY Vol.17

—— The TISSUE COVER is one of MOHEIM’s long-selling items. To begin with, what was the original vision and inspiration behind its development?

Takeuchi
In Japan, tissue paper is ubiquitous—you find it everywhere: at home, in stores, hotels, and offices. It is an indispensable part of daily life. For me, a tissue cover has always been a necessity because I disliked seeing commercial tissue boxes left out in the open in everyday spaces. That feeling is what made me want to release a tissue cover under MOHEIM.

I initially envisioned using leather, as it blends seamlessly into interiors and conveys a sense of luxury. My goal was to create something minimal and refined, yet with a soft and approachable design, using leather as the chosen material.

—— MOHEIM released the TISSUE COVER in May 2017. At that time, it was available only in vegetable-tanned leather, wasn’t it?

Takeuchi
Out of all the different types of leather, I chose vegetable-tanned leather because of its raw, unadorned, and plain character. Simply put, I personally loved its minimal texture.
Although the vegetable-tanned leather version was eventually discontinued due to various circumstances, we remained committed to making it with leather moving forward.

Looking back at the timing of its release, the TISSUE COVER was introduced during the very foundational stage of the brand. Seeing it continue to be a popular item today, after various material changes and additions since then, is deeply moving for me as a designer.

—— When it came to designing a leather tissue cover, what specific details or approaches did you keep in mind?

Takeuchi
First and foremost, ensuring the stitching wasn’t visible from the outside was my absolute priority. Combining leather with exposed stitches often gives it a harsh, heavy look. Since I wanted the MOHEIM TISSUE COVER to have a refined finish, minimizing the sewing was what mattered most. As a result, I believe we achieved a design with a minimal silhouette, yet a soft and gentle atmosphere.

We also kept the width and size of the top opening, where the tissue is pulled out, as narrow and compact as possible.

For the underside, we chose a snap-button closure. This design was chosen to balance a simple appearance with ease of replacing and inserting the tissue box.

—— Could you tell us more about the materials used now?

Takeuchi
The cowhide used for the oiled leather is “Oiled Dakota,” which is lead- and phthalate-free.
By reducing chrome during tanning and incorporating plenty of tannin during the dyeing stage, the leather becomes supple with a moderate stiffness. Since the leather retains the natural texture and character of high-quality cowhide, it enhances the beauty and design of the unadorned TISSUE COVER.

—— What kind of material is recycled leather, and what are its key characteristics?

Takeuchi
Recycled leather is a material made by pulverizing the scraps of natural leather
into a fibrous form and solidifying it with a latex resin. Since it utilizes leather remnants that used to be discarded, it is an environmentally conscious, sustainable material.

As you can tell when you touch it, the material features a matte, rustic texture reminiscent of cork, with a natural feel and a smooth touch. Despite being leather, it leaves a soft and unique impression.
Additionally, recycled leather patinas beautifully over time, allowing users to enjoy the experience of “nurturing” the material as they use it—just like with oiled leather.

—— Next, could you tell us about the new “fog” series that was just added to the lineup in June 2026?

Shimizu
First, the “fog” series is produced using a premium material that offers a soft, smooth texture reminiscent of high-quality suede. This material is Ultrasuede®, developed using Toray’s advanced microfiber technology, and is widely used not only in apparel but also in interiors and furniture.

Part of the raw material includes recycled polyester resin recovered from industrial film waste. Since 50% of the 80% total polyester content is recycled, it is also a sustainable material.

I had been familiar with Ultrasuede® for some time and found it incredibly appealing due to its unique character and practicality. Believing it would be a perfect fit for the MOHEIM TISSUE COVER, I proposed developing this new series.

Takeuchi
The core concept of the TISSUE COVER was to move away from a harsh look and present a softer feel, and the texture of Ultrasuede® aligns beautifully with that vision. Compared to the oiled leather and recycled leather versions, we were able to achieve an even gentler, more serene atmosphere.

Shimizu
Thanks to the fabric’s moderate firmness, the fog series naturally took on a soft, rounded shape when viewed from the side. When I saw the first sample, I couldn’t help but think, “It looks just like a freshly baked pound cake…!” Since we managed to express that kind of fluffy impression through the material, I feel we’ve created something far better than I had ever imagined.

—— By the way, did the name of the series, “fog,” actually come from the characteristics of this material?

Shimizu
Yes, exactly. I wanted a name that captured its soft, napped texture that feels incredibly fluffy to the touch. As I was brainstorming words to describe the material’s airy atmosphere and tactile feel, I eventually arrived at the word “fog.”

—— I see what you mean—touching the fabric really makes the name “fog” feel like a perfect fit. Could you share some of the other compelling features of the “fog” series?

Shimizu
Above all, what I most want people to know is how easy it is to care for. While the leather versions are meant to be enjoyed over time through careful maintenance, the fog series is actually hand-washable. Being able to completely wash it when it becomes soiled is a huge benefit that users will truly appreciate.

Considering that the fog series is fully washable, we opted for plastic snaps on the bottom instead of metal ones. We also wanted the process of replacing the tissue box to be as effortless as possible, so we selected snaps that hold securely yet can be unfastened without requiring much force.

Furthermore, the fog series is reversible. We’ve paired the fabric with a different color of the same material on the reverse side, giving it a unique specification that lets you switch colors depending on your mood. When turned inside out, a glimpse of the original color shows slightly at the corners, creating an exquisite accent.

Two layers of fabric are fused and sewn together, and meticulous attention was paid to eliminating any sharp edges by rounding the very contours of the seam allowances. This ensures that the soft, rounded shape remains beautiful even when used reversibly. The craftsmen at the factory who handle the sewing also take extraordinary care with this specific detail during production.

—— I see the fog series is also available in a half-size.

Shimizu
There is always somewhere in the home where a standard-sized tissue box simply feels too large. For instance, in a bathroom vanity area or on a bedroom bedside table, many people prefer a solution that doesn’t dominate the space. The compact half-size fits neatly without being obtrusive, making it an effortless and stress-free addition to any room.

Takeuchi
Half-size tissues have become a common sight in hotels recently, and there is a growing sense that demand for this compact size will continue to rise within the contract industry as well.

—— With such a rich and diverse lineup now available for the TISSUE COVER, what are the standout recommendations or unique appeal for each version?

Takeuchi
For those who wish to appreciate the natural essence of genuine leather, the oiled leather version is ideal. For anyone drawn to a unique, matte texture, the recycled leather is highly recommended. And for those unwilling to compromise on either a premium texture or ease of maintenance, the fog series is the perfect choice. While the selection depends entirely on personal preference, every version beautifully fulfills the desire for exceptional design in objects used every day.

As mentioned at the very beginning, tissue paper is an essential part of every household. Whichever version you choose, the TISSUE COVER blends gently into any interior, making it a perfect and universally appreciated gift for housewarmings or moving celebrations.