suitcase

Tumi Launches 'Accent Your Alpha' Customization Program

Tumi Launches 'Accent Your Alfa' Customization Program

When President Obama selected a black leather Tumi laptop bag as his briefcase of choice, it merely confirmed that the brand has become the leader in premium business and travel accessories, a fact long known by serious sojourners. The company, which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, has launched a personalization program for its flagship Alpha line of luggage in super-tough ballistic nylon, so your case really stands out in a crowd. The new "Accent Your Alpha" service lets road warriors and holiday travelers alike personalize their classic carriers by adding striking pops of color to monogram patches, luggage tags, zipper pulls, and more. The chic palette not only adds a dose of style but sets the personalized cases apart from the many Tumi imitators.

Tags: Barack Obama, briefcase, luggage, nylon luggage, Obama style, President Obama, suitcase, Tumi, Tumi Alpha

Travelteq Suitcase Goes Where None Have Gone Before

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

It looks like a suitcase, but looks are about the only thing the Trip by Travelteq has in common with genus Carryonus Baggus. Two years in the making, it is from the Transformers school of usefulness: a kangaroo compartment in front makes retrieval of your laptop easy, and then you can work on it by turning the hardshell into a chair, extending the wheels, raising the handle and sliding the padded top section forward. It can also be had with its own integrated sound system – detachable speakers that turn the Trip into a go-everywhere iPod dock that can go 12 hours on a charge. There's a USB port for charging your other portables, to boot.

Those features haven't been left to wither in a poorly built enclosure, either. The Trip, all of just 14 pounds, is built of aluminum honeycomb, with aluminum legs on gas springs and an aluminum honeycomb seat, and can support a fatigued traveler weighing more than 300 pounds. Stainless steel pins keep it closed when you need, and the rubber wheels run on skate bearings and can be swapped out for different colors. If you can't imagine why you'd need a suitcase seemingly built for a mission to Andromeda... maybe you just haven't gone far enough afield yet. The Trip is €795 ($1,039 U.S.) at www.travelteq.com.

Gallery: Travelteq Trip Suitcase

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Tags: luggage, suitcase, travel, travelteq, travelteq trip

Asprey Londoner Luggage by Globe-Trotter

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

Famed London luxury goods house Asprey has come out with a luxurious new line of luggage created in collaboration with Globe-Trotter, makers of fine travel cases since 1897. The five-piece Londoner Luggage collection, manufactured by hand in England, was designed by Bruce Hoeksema, Asprey's newly appointed creative director. The luggage comes in Asprey's signature royal purple with purple genuine crocodile handles and trim, and matte black with oxidized metallic corners and black crocodile handles and trim. The cases are lined in durable hemp linen with a leather hand stamped Asprey label and signature Asprey locks. The hand stitched crocodile corners were chosen to complement the classic regimental stripe of the removable webbed luggage straps that secure the suitcases.

Tags: alligator, Asprey, briefcase, crocodile, England, exotic leather, Globe-Trotter, leather, London, luggage, suitcase, UK

Bottega Veneta $53,000 Alligator Suitcase

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Luxe Italian label Bottega Veneta has come out with a new version of its posh exotic leather luggage we first wrote about last summer. This season's take on the classic suitcase, made from the world's finest genuine alligator skin, is hand-crafted in soft-finished matte black and dubbed the Nero. Priced at $53,000, the case features burnished metal hardware with reinforced corners and locking mechanisms, along with matching black alligator handles. It also has a padded lining, internal elastic pocket and a removable garment bag. Designed to improve with age and withstand the rigors of travel, it's still obviously not the kind of thing you check on a commercial flight - unless you happen to own the airline.

[via LuxuryLaunches]

Tags: alligator, Bottega Veneta, exotic leather, Italian fashion, luggage, suitcase, travel

Antler's Size Zero Luggage: Pack More, Weigh Less

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

While I've always had healthy distrust for all things size zero, an exception must be made for this new luggage line. The bags weigh 7 pounds less than the industry standard for a suitcase, which to my way of thinking, means I can pack seven pounds more clothes I simply can't vacation without and still make the mean old airline's 50-pound per bag limit.

Antler, a luggage brand that has been a top-seller in Europe for 90 years, has introduced its new Antler's Size Zero lightweight line. The average 30" suitcase weighs 14 pounds; Antler's weighs in at a skinny 7.3 pounds -- about half the average. Say goodbye to airline fees for overweight bags.

Unlike many ultra-light bags, Size Zero is tough beyond its slim silhouette. It has a patented flexible frame and corner protection system to make it squish-proof. It will hold its own on the luggage carousel and against even the most-calloused baggage handler and comes with a 10-year guarantee. The cases, made of durable 300 x 600 denier polyester, are fully lined and have lockable front pockets.

Antler has specialized in lightweight luggage for years, although it is relatively new to the U.S. market. It's long been the #1 brand in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The collection includes 22", 27" and 30" uprights, a wheeled duffel and a weekender tote with coordinating "grab bag" that are considered a single-piece by London's famously picky security at Heathrow Airport. The 30-inch bag, available in either bronze or black, retails for $240. The rest of the collection is priced from $39 and up.

Tags: antler luggage, luggage, packing, suitcase, travel

Aston Martin Racing Luggage by Globe-Trotter for Hackett of London

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style

Hackett, the classic British clothing and accessories company that's the official partner of the Aston Martin Racing team, has come out with a new line of Aston Martin Racing luggage created in collaboration with Globe-Trotter, makers of fine travel cases since 1897. Part of a new collection of Hackett luggage designed by the famed firm, the hard-sided Aston Martin cases are finished in classic British Racing Green with leather straps, handles and detailing. The Aston Martin logo and British flag are featured on the outside while the interior is lined with Union Jack fabric. In addition to the Aston Martin range, the collection includes black Mayfair cases with a Prince of Wales checked lining, and the navy blue London range with a blue and white Bengal stripe interior. Prices start at about $750 with monogramming available for an additional $120. Last year The Classicist wrote about Hackett's full range of stylish Aston Martin Racing clothing and accessories.

Gallery: Globe-Trotter for Hackett

Tags: Aston Martin, Globe-Trotter, Hackett, leather, London, luggage, motor racing, racing, suitcase, Union Jack

The Classicist: Bespoke British Luxury from Norton MacCullough & Locke

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, The Classicist

In previous columns we've been known to wax nostalgic about the golden age of luxury travel, and the vintage luggage that embodies the glamour and decadence of a bygone era when journeying to a foreign land involved adventure, romance and style. Such exquisitely crafted pieces, like the mysterious bespoke Hermès crocodile suitcases made for Out of Africa author Karen Blixen which we wrote about last week, evoke a time when the journey was as important as the destination and every conceivable creature comfort was taken along for the ride. Not everyone is ready to consign such a stylish mode of sojourning to the past, however. Hence we take pleasure in introducing Norton MacCullough & Locke, a new London firm committed to producing the finest custom-made trunks, jewelry boxes and homeware in the essence of 1920s bespoke British luxury, founded by veterans of Hermès, Claridge's and Patek Philippe.

Norton MacCullough & Locke creates individual, hand-crafted pieces in their workshops in England, with the aim of preserving traditional leatherworking techniques and bespoke craftsmanship. Their beautiful pieces feature details such as gold plated locks and hardware, Alcantara linings, precisely fitted removable trays, and engraved mirrors on the inside lids of dressing cases. Designed and made with the finest materials available, the firm's specialist leather, metal and woodworking artisans employ traditional techniques and hand-finishings, ensuring that each piece is unrivalled in its exclusivity, aesthetics and attention to detail. In other words, the sort of luggage suitable to traveling by private jet.

By designing and creating products that are specific to the individual client's aesthetic sensibilities and lifestyle requirements, each Norton MacCullough & Locke piece is truly unique to its owner. Each bespoke order is developed through a series of personal consultations with the client; from concept and design through to personalization and material selection. The firm is continuously developing its extensive range of precious metals, exotic woods and leathers. While bespoke commissions are limited only by the imagination, some of the items they create include jewelry boxes, trunks, hat boxes, suitcases, humidors, watch cases, travel desks, attaché cases, games sets and drinks cases.

Gallery: Norton MacCullough & Locke

Tags: Berkeley Hotel, bespoke, England, exotic wood, games, gold, humidors, John Galliano, leather, London, luggage, Norton MacCullough Locke, private jet, suitcase, UK

Continue reading “The Classicist: Bespoke British Luxury from Norton MacCullough & Locke”

The Classicist: The Mystery of Out of Africa Author Karen Blixen's Hermès Luggage

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, The Classicist

Hermès has uncovered a couple of remarkable pieces of bespoke luggage in its archives, made for famed Danish Out of Africa author Karen Blixen, aka Isak Dineson, in the 1930s. The Art Deco tobacco-colored crocodile skin cases, one ordered in 1930 and the other in 1935, contain every conceivable article an aristocratic author could need on an arduous journey to Africa. The famed Parisian luxury goods house notes that the more complex of the two took its craftsmen 368 hours to make; both feature fine inlays and engraving, with most pieces adorned with a baroness' crown and the author's DBF monogram for Dineson Blixen-Finecke, a combination of her maiden and married names (her full title was Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke).

The cases feature myriad compartments and leather boxes for spirits, smoking accessories, writing instruments, notepaper, perfume bottles, cosmetics, playing cards, jewelry, small tools, sewing items, brushes and more, with some items finished in sterling silver and tortoiseshell. However, Hermès notes the the items appear to be unused and probably never made it to Kenya, where Blixen established a coffee plantation at the foot of the N'gong Hills; and therein lies something of a mystery. Noting that by December of 1930, when the first case was ordered, Blixen was somewhat down on her luck and preparing to leave Africa, Hermès thinks it unlikely she ordered it for herself and the archives are unclear. Could it perhaps have been intended as a gift from her lover, dashing big game hunter and pilot Denys Finch Hatton?

Gallery: Karen Blixen's Crocodile Hermes Suitcases

Tags: Africa, Art Deco, author, bespoke, crocodile, Denmark, Hermes, Isak Dineson, Karen Blixen, Kenya, luggage, luxury goods, Out of Africa, Paris, suitcase, travel, vintage luggage

Continue reading “The Classicist: The Mystery of Out of Africa Author Karen Blixen's Hermès Luggage”

Dunhill Aluminum Luggage Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

London luxury goods firm Dunhill has a retro-futuristic take on travel this season with its new Aluminum luggage collection. Taking inspiration from leather examples discovered in the Dunhill archive from the Art Deco days of the jet set, the gentleman's suitcases suggest the concept of future travel in a unique fabrication of polished metal – the sort of thing a dashing aviator like Charles Lindbergh might have owned. Aluminum gives an ultra modern appearance to three different sized pieces, from briefcase dimensions to a large traditional suitcase size. The hard-wearing cases have been stripped back to their metal fabrication and updated to make them incredibly light and practical for use today, and each piece features the Alfred Dunhill monogram. Available in very limited quantities, they're priced from $1,165 to $1,305.

Tags: aluminium, aluminum, Art Deco, Dunhill, dunhill aluminum luggage, London, luggage, metal, suitcase, travel

Briggs & Riley's Upright Carry-On

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you're looking for a reason to not check luggage and go carry-on only, here's one: My friend's holiday flight to France was canceled due to bad weather, but her luggage went to Amsterdam and Nice anyway. She waited a week for it to be returned to her.

Here's another reason: Briggs & Riley Travelware's smart 20-inch upright carry-on. At just 8.7 lbs., and 20 x 14 x 8.5 in. (50.8 x 35.6 x 21.6 cm), it's easy to maneuver and fits in the overhead compartment. Some other facts: The bag is made with Briggs & Riley's exclusive Tuff-lite fabric, offering strength as well as abrasion resistance. The company's "The Outsider" handle system means that the bars are on the outside, ensuring flat packing inside. And if anything goes wrong -- even airline damage -- you're covered with the "Simple as that" lifetime warranty. FoxNews.com even named the bag in its "Top Five Coolest Pieces of Luggage" as the "Best All-Purpose Carry-On."

Available in Desert, Silver, Rainforest, and Sunset (shown). $235.00

Gallery: Briggs & Riley's Upright Carry-On

Tags: Briggs Riley, BriggsRiley, carry on, carry-on, CarryOn, luggage, suitcase, travel

Victorinox Swiss Army 125th Anniversary Leather Travel Bag

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

Victorinox Swiss Army is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a slew of new products and even a North American road tour. Among the nicest items being offered as part of the anniversary collection is a limited-edition Leather Travel Bag. Crafted of the finest full-grain, Italian Belting leather and European materials the bag "reflect[s] the old-world luxury and dedicated workmanship from which our brand was born," the company says. Snap gussets allow the bag to open flat. Other features are a front garment storage area with compression straps and a rear compartment with a removable suiter featuring a full-size hanger and foam bolsters to keep clothes wrinkle-free. Individually polished Riri zippers are made of precious metal alloys, and storage case is provided to keep the bag clean. Each bag is individually numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity. $4,000

Gallery: Victorinox Swiss Army 125th Anniversary Leather Travel Bag

Tags: handbag, leather, suitcase, Swiss Army, SwissArmy, travel, valise, Victorinox

Meet HENK, the $20,000 Suitcase

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

All I know about luggage is Samsonite and American Tourister (and Louis V., of course), so I admit I am experiencing a wee bit of sticker shock from HENK, the $20,000 suitcase. But I'm sure you, Luxist readers, are much more sophisticated than I, at least in the travel arena, so you may be interested in meeting HENK. Let's see what you get for this price ... But first, a disclaimer. The HENK site is one of those that no matter where you click, you don't get a new/unique URL. So I apologize for not being able to take you to all the sections directly. This is a DIY post.

First, the story behind the bag -- click on "Go to the story" on the main site, or read this detailed Forbes article. As with many success stories, HENK was borne out of dissatisfaction with a current product. A Dutch businessman named Henk van de Meene wanted to create a better piece of luggage after struggling with his bag one busy day in LaGuardia.

Then, the workmanship -- each HENK is handmade in The Netherlands to your specifications. Here's an example: "The choice is yours: from glossy carbon fibre and smooth calf leather for the exterior to high-tech fibre, horsehair or even cow hide with a zebra print for the interior." There are a slew of colors, and the HENK site promised to do its best to meet your customization requests.

Then, two styles from which to choose -- Travelfriend (shown above) and Attaché Case (see gallery).

HENK promises to feel practically weightless and to be sturdy, easy to maneuver with its large wheels, easy to unpack with its dual door design, easy to wheel with its telescoping handle, hard to lose with its retractable "leash," and really luxurious due to its high-end materials -- and the knowledge that it was made just for you. (But if you're not as particular about color or materials or in more of a time crunch, select from the ready-to-ship collection and the limited edition collection.)

[Thanks, Norman]

Gallery: Meet HENK, the $20,000 Suitcase

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Tags: bag, HENK, luggage, suitcase, travel, valise

$157,000 Bottega Veneta Alligator Luggage Set

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you travel by private jet, there's no need to worry about your luggage getting beaten up in transit. Hence you can use a set of beautifully handmade cases crafted from the world's finest exotic leather. At least, we assume that's the rationale behind Bottega Veneta's outrageously opulent set of alligator skin luggage. The six piece set, which includes three suitcases (small, medium and large), a beauty case and a duffle bag, costs $157,000; the pieces are also available individually, ranging from $23,000 to $47,000. All are finished in noce fume rich brown soft-finished alligator skin and feature burnished metal hardware with reinforced corners and locking mechanisms. And of course if you're traveling by private jet you can afford it.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: alligator, Bottega Veneta, BottegaVeneta, exotic leather, ExoticLeather, luggage, private jet, PrivateJet, suitcase

Penelope Op Art Suitcase by Coach

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

Here's a sharp-looking suitcase that will stand out on the baggage return belt: the Penelope Op Art Suitcase, by Coach. Made of Op art coated canvas fabric with leather trim, the suitcase features two inside pockets on the interior back cover, two inside pockets on each interior side wall, three inside pockets on the interior front wall, a lock closure, and brass feet to protect scuffing. Measurements for medium: 27 1/4" L x 18" H x 8 1/2" W, $1,500. Also available: small, with all the same features, measuring 22 3/4" L x 15 1/4" H x 7" W, $1,200.

Gallery: Penelope Op Art Suitcase, by Coach

Tags: Coach, leather, Penelope Op Art, PenelopeOpArt, suitcase, travel, valise

Townhouse Collection Luggage

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

We're only a month and change into winter, but here on the East Coast it's been a tough one so far. I've been daydreaming about a vacation, but my luggage is not travel-ready -- it's old and drab. Looking for something with more panache, I came upon Tumi's Townhouse Collection.

My favorite piece is the Groom Train Case. Traveling with this would make me feel as if I were one of the ladies boarding a ship for a cross-Atlantic journey many years ago, when wealthy travelers seemed to pack their whole houses into trunks and then have their staff move them on and off the ship at every port of call.

The Townhouse Collection features 38 styles that range from the $6,995 Wardrobe Trunk to the $150 Constitution Tie Case. All styles are offered only in black (I would love to have seen some brighter colors), and are made from leather or fabric. The collection has two sub-sets: Travel and Business, which include trunks, wheeled cases, hand-held briefcases, satchels, a garment case, duffels, messenger/body bags, clutches and small zipped cases.

Check out the gallery for a look at a few of the styles.

Gallery: Townhouse Collection Luggage

Tags: journey, luggage, suitcase, travel, Tumi, vacation

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