What does your luggage set say about you? Don’t update your luggage before finding out about these heritage brands and their latest collections …
Samsonite
The details: Founded by Jesse Shwayder in 1910, Samsonite is most known for its durable, cube-shaped suitcases, which are guaranteed for ten years.
The tribe: The Sammies include Charlotte Casiraghi, Diane Kruger, Jessica Alba and Sarah Jessica Parker, who may have been drawn to its initiative with the non-profit organisation One Tree Planted, which helps contribute to European reforestation projects. Choose from its latest Magnum Eco Collection – in four bright colours, made from recycled plastic waste. Cases can be personalised and are stocked at Brown Thomas; www.samsonite.eu.
The destination: The glamorous Red Chalet, which has just opened in Armação de Pêra – a charming village in Portugal’s Algarve. The two-bedroom property, inspired by the Belle Époque era, offers guests dramatic ocean views and easy access to the beach. Design enthusiasts will love Red Chalet’s interiors, which combine Moroccan influences and antiques. Guests can request a private chef, waiting staff, and a personal assistant, as well as take advantage of the facilities at sister property Vila Vita Parc, which includes a (huge) new Sisley Spa, eleven restaurants, multiple swimming pools, a private yacht, helipad, kids’ clubs and a beach club offering a range of water sports. Rates start from €2,500 per night for a minimum four-night stay; www.vilavitacollection.com.
Rimowa
The details: The first brand to manufacture aluminium trunks (created in 1937 by Richard Morszeck) and the inventor of the polycarbonate suitcase, Rimowa’s instantly recognisable silver cases and grooves have evolved to more colourful iterations.
The tribe: This is not your first rodeo. The Rims have a keen sense of style and often work in fashion. Devotees include Trinny Woodall, who has demonstrated on Instagram how she manages to pack a Rimowa carry-on case with everything needed for a week’s holiday. Rimowa’s latest collection – the Lavande & Citron – evoke the colours of Provence, while other new additions include fun removable vinyl stickers featuring cityscapes from around the world; www.rimowa.com.
The destination: Gstaad Palace. The (Silver Fox) Rims jet in for the prestigious Hublot Polo Gold Cup, or to enjoy its new Haute Horology package, in partnership with Audemars Piguet. This exclusive experience includes a scenic helicopter ride over the Alps to Le Brassus, stopping at the workshops of Audemars Piguet where visitors are given an exclusive insight into the fine art of Swiss watchmaking. There’s also a vintage car rally, The Gstaad Palace Challenge, taking place from August 26-28. Other benefits of staying in this posh palace include gorgeous trails and views of the Saanenland region and sampling some al fresco fondue. No stay is complete without a twirl in the hotel’s GreenGo nightclub. Rooms start from approximately €490 including breakfast; www.palace.ch.
Globe-Trotter
The details: Handmade in England with beautiful leather detailing, the brand’s vulcanised fibreboard casing has changed little since the 1850s. The cases have a vintage look with leather corners and straps.
The tribe: GlobeTrotters have included Captain Scott and Sir Winston Churchill and contemporary devotees include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and James Bond – for Daniel Craig’s tenure as 007, GlobeTrotter was his luggage of choice. Luxury collaborations have included those with Berluti, Gucci, Tiffany and most recently in Casablanca’s AW22 collection presented at Paris Fashion Week, which was inspired by the golden age of air travel; www.globe-trotter.com.
The destination: The Cadogan, London, within walking distance of “the golden triangle” of Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Chelsea. The perks of this elegant hotel are numerous – guests have keys to Cadogan Place Gardens opposite the hotel for strolls, tennis and picnics – while bibliophiles will love the edit of books (by John Sandoe Books). Past residents have included high society doyenne Lillie Langtry and Oscar Wilde (who was arrested in room 118, now part of the Royal Suite). Rooms are stylish, while the buzzy bar and salon are great for people watching. Rooms at The Cadogan start from €578 per room, per night including breakfast; www.belmond.com.
Tumi
The details: Stylish and sturdy, the brand was founded in 1975 by Charlie Clifford after a stint in the Peace Corps in Peru; the company is named after a Peruvian tumi ceremonial knife used for sacrifices.
The tribe: Includes Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, Gisele Bundchen and Alexander Skarsgård, who starred in a recent advertising campaign, as did Rosario Dawson. Tumis are members of several hotel loyalty clubs, collect frequent flying points religiously and always make a beeline for the airline lounges. If you’ve seen Bullet Train, with Brad Pitt, you will know that the limited-edition 19 Degree Briefcase from the range has a starring role. There’s a competition to win this attaché on the Tumi website; www.tumi.com.
The destination: Zurich for some opera, staying at Baur au Lac, which has just unveiled some grand renovations by renowned French interior designer Pierre-Yvès Rochon. The hotel offers a new “Wagner” package and is in fact the very place where the composer famously performed the first act of his Die Walküre in 1953. The package includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe Double Room or Junior Suite for two people, a welcome surprise, a la carte breakfast and a voucher redeemable in one of the hotel’s three restaurants. Rooms are available from €724 per night, based on two adults sharing; www.bauraulac.ch.
Away
The details: Minimalist, lightweight and colourful hard-shell cases. This new kid on the block was launched in 2016, by best friends Jen Rubio and Steph Korey (who met working at Warby Parker and have featured on the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list). The brand is known for its 100-day trial, free shipping and limited lifetime warranty (covering damages to the shell, zippers, handles, wheels).
The tribe: Celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Emma Roberts and Ashley Graham are fans, while Karlie Kloss and Rashida Jones have collaborated with the brand. Famously, guests at the Duchess of Sussex’s baby shower (held in The Mark, New York) were treated to a goodie bag which included a new item of Away luggage. Last month, Kylie Jenner checked into Claridge’s with four luggage trolleys filled with Away suitcases; www.awaytravel.com.
The destination: Croatia. By day, snorkelling at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace’s own PADI diving centre, at night enjoying Dubrovnik Summer Festival – a must see featuring over 80 performances of music, theatre, dance, and film, at various open-air locations in the old town, plus a programme of outdoor cinema. There is an annual performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet staged at the 16th-century Lovrijenac Fortress. Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is just a stone’s throw from the walled city in the Old Town. Guests also have access to a private beach, two outdoor pools and an indoor pool, and great dining facilities at the hotel’s Sensus restaurant, or the waterside Prora restaurant. Rates start from €304 per night in the summer period; www.adriaticluxuryhotels.com.
Antler
The details: Ergonomic and durable, the heritage British brand has been making luggage since 1914, and was founded by John Boultbee Brooks in Lancashire. The brand’s logo takes its name from mythology and folklore – a stag’s head symbolises the joy and promise of new adventure. In its time the brand has been the first to develop soft-sided luggage and was mentioned by author Ian Fleming (who noted Bond loved Antler in Diamonds are Forever). The bestselling Clifton suitcase-vanity-case hybrid has been updated in two breezy colourways – Mineral and Ocean – and offers plenty of room for travel and beauty essentials.
The tribe: These include a trio of Irish influencers: Aisling Franciosi, Olivia Cooke and Markella Kavenagh. Antler has also worked with Olivia Cooke and Markella Kavenagh for their Lord of the Rings tour. A GLOSS team favourite, the brand is now available in Ireland. Check out its Instagram account for regular gorgeous giveaways; www.eu.antler.com.
The destination: Sardinia, to check out the new 7Pines Resort Sardinia on the north-eastern coast of the island. The new resort, which is sister property to 7Pines Resort Ibiza, has a private beach and its lovely Cone Club, four secluded beach coves, an 800 sqm Pure Seven Spa, and a fleet of Pershing yachts. The resort’s concierge team can arrange helicopter tours; traditional cookery classes such as gnocchi making; horseback riding through the Costa Smeralda region; e-biking exploration; guided hikes; an archaeological tour of northern Sardinia’s middle to late Bronze Age sites; a Blue Zone discovery trip to learn the longevity-lifestyle secrets of the island; a shepherd experience with cheese-making; and visits to local northern family-run wineries – some of the finest on the island. Stays start from €1,050 per night on a bed and breakfast basis; www.7pines.com/en/sardinia.
SteamLine
The details: Vintage-inspired, whimsical and fashion forward, SteamLine luggage, founded by Sara Banks, is all about elegance and the collection includes trunks, suitcases, hatboxes and vanity cases in signature. Banks, who studied at Trinity College Dublin, believes, “Travel is a slog nowadays, but beautiful luggage dignifies the experience and reminds you it’s a gift.”
The tribe: SteamLine ambassadors include Reese Witherspoon, Ali Laundry, and Julia Berolzheimer. The latest collection The Illustrator is a collaboration with Irish artist Lauren Taylor and features broad stripes and leather accents in soft pink or blue, with lining in Taylor’s illustrations of wild meadow flowers. The collection is currently on sale (at up to 20 per cent off) and if you sign up to its marketing list there is a chance to win a full set of luggage; www.steamlineluggage.com.
The destination: Peninsula Paris – the only hotel in Paris with palace status, located just steps from the Arc de Triomphe. The hotel is home to a two Michelin-star rooftop French-dining restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc; a signature Cantonese restaurant, Lili; Le Lobby for indulgent breakfasts and afternoon teas; as well as Kléber Terrace and Le Rooftop for outdoor drinks and dining. With the largest hotel spa in Paris, it offers treatments by ESPA and Biologique Recherche. Not to be missed for special occasions is a stay in one of the rooftop Garden Suites – these include breakfast, unlimited use of the fitness centre and swimming pool, and a bottle of French rosé from Château d’Esclans. From €1,550 until August 31; www.peninsula.com.
Bric’s Milano
The details: Understated and elegant, the Italian soft Tuscan leather cases, are perfect for flights on PJs. Brics’s Milano was founded in 1952 by Mario Briccola. The original soft leather “Life” collections have expanded to include the most up to date collection: the BY Ulisses (BY meaning Be Young) in six colours made from polypropylene.
The tribe: Italophiles with a penchant for splurging, they will often keep a set of Bric’s Life collection for a chic weekend getaway, and have another set for long haul travel. Eagle-eyed shoppers can often find sets of Bric’s in TK Maxx at a fraction of the original cost; www.brics.it.
The destination: Belmond Cipriani exudes dolce vita glamour and is perfect for a special anniversary. Every room has a water or garden facing balcony and combine antique furniture, Fortuny light fittings in colour schemes to match the glimmering lagoon. If you say in late August, early September there’s a chance to rub shoulders with A-listers, directors and producers, who jet in the for the film festival (August 31 – September 10). With a huge pool, spa, tennis courts, cooking classes and boat trips, on site there there’s also a chance to see Indian artist Subodh Gupta’s new work “Cooking the world” in the hotel gardens (until November 19). Also to be enjoyed is chef Riccardo Canella’s new menus at the famed Ristorante Oro, the Cip’s Club, Porticciolo, and Bar Gabbiano. Accommodation starts from €940 per night, based on two sharing a Superior Room with private patio, on bed and breakfast basis; www.belmond.com.
Main featured image via @steamlineluggage photographed by @amberlyvalentine & @gypsea_lust.
