Tenona’s founder, Liwei, grew up in a small town in South China, alone with a TV. As a child, fireworks would set off in her mind when she watched the ads that threaded the gaps between shows. The creativity condensed into a mere 30-second video was mesmerizing. She was so curious about those gaps that she’s never stopped exploring them. She’s been on a have-to-know adventure ever since, and Tenona is now her latest stop.

Tenona was conceptualized when the adult Liwei, a software engineer, dreamed of owning sleek and low-key handbags with a touch of magic. Obsessed with animation, kinetic sculptures, math puzzles, origami, and nature, she wanted to connect the dots between these wonders of the world and everyday accessories.

Liwei is still an engineer who is most excited by solving any challenge creatively. She mobilizes her designs to interact with their wearers in unexpected ways. The unique bags she’s sharing with the world are not only durable and highly functional, but also a mini-world of unlimited possibilities that invites you to play, explore, and invent.

At Tenona, we thrive at the intersection of clever engineering and the joyful celebration of creativity. A Tenona bag is a conversation starter, a puzzle, a magic trick, and a little secret you can carry around with you. It is designed with love, in order to share our appreciation of curiosity, for those who are still children at heart. We are forever motivated by your “aha” and “haha” moments.