Mate Mono Lilly Bag, Self-Standing Knit Handbag

A handbag that stands like a sculpture: a knitted lily of nylon on a self-standing base, made in Japan by Mate Mono.

Mate Mono’s Lilly Bag takes its name from a Japanese saying about grace — stand like a peony, walk like a lily swaying in the breeze. Delicate knitwork and Komatsu Matere’s own dyeing and finishing give it soft curves and a three-dimensional form, and long strings hang from the opening like the stamens of a flower, swaying as you walk. Inside, a sheer polyester bag is sewn in for a wallet, phone and keys. Set down, it stands on its own base, so it looks like an art piece on a shelf. About 9.8″ tall, 8.7″ wide and 5.9″ deep.

Specifications

• Brand: Mate Mono by Komatsu Matere (Ishikawa, Japan)
• Model: Lilly Bag
• Type: Knit handbag with a self-standing base
• Colors: Black, Light Blue, Red
• Dimensions: 9.8″ H × 8.7″ W × 5.9″ D (25 × 22 × 15 cm)
• Exterior: 93% nylon, 7% polyurethane knit
• Inner bag: Sheer 100% polyester bag, sewn in
• Pockets: None (valuables go in the inner bag)
• Made in: Japan
• Item numbers (MPN): MM-LILLY-BK (Black), MM-LILLY-LB (Light Blue), MM-LILLY-RD (Red)

Features

• Knitted 93% nylon / 7% polyurethane exterior with a sculpted, dimensional form
• Self-standing base: displays like an object when you set it down
• Sewn-in sheer inner bag for a wallet, phone and keys
• Long hanging strings that sway as you move
• Made in Japan by Komatsu Matere

Best for

Evenings out, gallery visits and weddings, or any day you want one striking piece to carry. It holds the essentials — wallet, phone, keys, lipstick — rather than a full day’s load. More from Mate Mono: Mate Mono Shiny Shell Drawstring Crossbody Bag, Mate Mono Shiny Fold Bag, Glossy Crossbody Shoulder Bag, Mate Mono Tekateka Glossy Tote Bag, Fits A4 and Laptop.

Who this is not for

• Anyone who needs to carry a laptop, a water bottle and a jacket: it is an essentials-sized bag.
• Anyone who wants zipped compartments: valuables sit in a sheer inner bag rather than a zipped pocket.
• Rainy commutes with wet items inside: damp contents can transfer color.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009, and we look for objects that are well made, honest about their materials and a pleasure to use. Mate Mono (mate-mono) is the product brand of Komatsu Matere, the textile dyeing and finishing company founded in Ishikawa, Japan, in 1943. Its idea is to waste as little material as possible: some bags are made from surplus or offcut industrial fabrics, others are knitted in one piece so nothing is cut away, and each design leans on the company’s own dyeing and finishing know-how.

Buy once: durability and care

The inner bag is sewn to the body, so don’t tug it hard. Don’t leave wet things inside for long, as the color can transfer.

Frequently asked questions

What fits in the Mate Mono Lilly Bag?

The essentials: a wallet, smartphone, keys and a few small things, held in the sewn-in sheer inner bag. It measures about 9.8″ high, 8.7″ wide and 5.9″ deep.

Does the Lilly Bag really stand up on its own?

Yes. It is designed with a self-standing base, so it can sit on a shelf or table like a decorative object.

What is the Lilly Bag made of?

A knit of 93% nylon and 7% polyurethane, with a sheer 100% polyester inner bag. It is made in Japan.

Is the Lilly Bag good for a wedding or a formal event? (our styling advice)

Yes — its sculpted shape works as an accent with dresses and tailored outfits; Red reads festive, Black formal, Light Blue soft.

How do I care for the Lilly Bag?

Don’t pull hard on the inner bag, which is sewn in, and don’t leave wet items inside for long, as color can transfer.

Is the Lilly Bag a good gift?

It makes a memorable gift for someone who likes design objects as much as fashion; it doubles as a sculptural piece at home.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Buying for a boutique, a museum shop, a hotel or a corporate gift program? Interior designers, architects, contractors and corporate buyers can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on Mate Mono and the rest of our catalog, with a dedicated trade support line. Applying takes about three minutes, and our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days. Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.