Industrial designer Michael Young has partnered with Italian electronics company Brionvega to launch a portable speaker, designed as an alternative to the "audio trash market".

Young's Bionvega WearIt speaker is designed to work with phones, laptops and other electronic devices.

"We did not create this to compete in the audio trash market," Young told Dezeen, referring to a proliferation of cheap portable speakers that have flooded the market.

"The market for good design dissolved quickly as it became price-point based," he added. "Brionvega is about history, integrity and quality. It is not about some crazy shape that the world may not need but about a product that is quite ordinary." "The market for good design dissolved quickly as it became price-point based," he added. "Brionvega is about history, integrity and quality. It is not about some crazy shape that the world may not need but about a product that is quite ordinary." 

The shape of the device is based on Brionvega's 1960s TS 207 handheld radio – one of the earliest products released by the brand.

Designed by Rodolfo Bonetto, the device slotted into a miniature leather satchel so it could be carried from place to place.

"At the time the TS 207 was created it was like having an iPod," said Young.

"It suited a culture that had an emerging music culture. Brionvega created a special moment of portable music, using a bag as a simple way to do so."

"Now we all take this for granted with Bluetooth, earbuds and so on," he added. "The important point is that Brionvega had a unique philosophy at the time to find space in the market using design as the key point."

Young's WearIt speaker is made from pressed aluminium, and features rounded corners and a detachable handle that allows the device to be carried around. It can be slotted into an accompanying leather shoulder bag for storage or transport.

The bags have a hole-punched cover, and are available in various hues with the colour repeated on the speaker handle. Brionvega intends to collaborate with Italian fashion houses on future special editions.

The interface is minimal, with just four buttons to turn on power, control volume and connect the speaker to a mobile phone.

The device relies on a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 24 hours, and can be connected to external devices with a USB slot. WearIt speakers can also be linked together to create surround sound.

"We are not trying to change the world with this item but we have a design culture that is respected for those who want it, " said Young, who joins a growing list of designers turning their attention to speakers.

Ross Lovegrove launched the Muo – a miniature version of his two-metre-tall Muon loudspeaker – at London Design Festival 2015, and French architect Jean Nouvel recently partnered with audio brand Amadeus to design a wood-encased speaker.

"I feel the [portable speaker] market is just overloaded," Young told Dezeen. "So to work with a brand of history and culture is something that one cannot compete with."

The WearIt speaker will launch at Amelie & Tulips in Hong Kong on 19 November.