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For the past thirty years, Secrid has been quietly revolutionising the traditional wallet market with its minimalist designs that aren’t flashy or faddy, but rather genuinely innovative, beautifully made and – whisper it – stylish
You can tell a lot about a man from his wallet. Is it a battered billfold bursting at the seams with receipts from 2017? Is it in fact non-existent, his cards and cash instead stuffed into pockets and often misplaced – particularly when it comes to buying the next round? Or, perhaps it doesn’t look much like a wallet at all, but rather a sleek, slim case that slips neatly and discreetly into a blazer pocket. If it’s the latter, chances are it’s a Secrid.
Secrid’s story began in 1995 when Dutch couple René van Geer and Marianne van Sasse van Ysselt – an industrial designer and a fashion designer respectively – noticed a shift in the content of a person’s pocket. Cash had made way for cards and the world was increasingly reliant on plastic rather than paper. So, they set about creating something new: a slim case that could not only carry cards but safeguard them, too. The result was the Bodycard: a plastic card holder that protected bank cards from bending and breaking.
Soon, with the advent of smartphones, almost all essential documents had shrunk to pocket size. People were carrying less, but what they carried was more important than ever. It was at this moment that Secrid shifted from René and Marianne’s side project to their main focus, and they decided to channel all of their efforts into building a brand that would be as meaningful for them as for their customers.
Drawing inspiration from the design of the newly-launched iPhone, the Secrid team announced the Cardprotector in 2009. The first 13,000 card protectors were assembled at the couple’s home, with the help of family and friends around the kitchen table. The pocket-sized case, crafted from high-quality aluminium, came with a smart mechanism for sliding cards out with one simple motion, as well as RFID/NFC security, to prevent card skimming.
From there, things moved quickly. Styles multiplied and design awards piled up. The Miniwallet, Slimwallet and Twinwallet followed, each keeping that satisfying mechanical flick at their heart. Secrid became more than just a clever design – it was the benchmark for the modern wallet.
But Secrid has never been only about the product. The brand is proudly rooted in the Netherlands, where every wallet is made by a 150-strong team of disabled individuals from sheltered workshops. Sustainability is stitched into the seams: as a certified B-corp, Secrid is committed to creating a product built to last, using responsible materials and producing minimal waste. Should your wallet ever need repairing, it even offers a ‘Care and Repair’ service – simply drop by one of its 1,400 repair locations around the world for a free repair within the warranty period. In an age of overconsumption, Secrid takes the long view.
Which brings us to the Cardprotector+, the biggest leap forward since the original. At first glance, you’ll recognise the silhouette. But look closer and you’ll spot the refinements: smoother mechanics, a sturdier build, a touch more capacity and finishes designed to withstand years of wear.
It’s evolution rather than revolution – the kind of quiet improvement you only notice when you use it every day. In fact, this is what Secrid is calling the Industrial Evolution – a movement of people reshaping the industry from mass production to longer-lasting, more sustainably-made products.
The Cardprotector+ is future-proofed, designed for 2025 and beyond. Standout features include a new patented auto-lock mechanism, which automatically locks all cards – including metal cards – in place as soon as they’re inserted; new vegan high-tech fibre pads that minimise abrasion and maintain their shape; and distinctive fluted grooves for a refined, tactile feel.
It’s proof that the best designs don’t need dramatic reinvention – just the occasional, thoughtful upgrade. Much like a good suit or a classic watch, it’s a companion built to age gracefully, quietly doing its job while making you look all the better for it.
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