Goldfinger will rekindle so many memories in numerous 007 fans. The cars, the music, and the one-liners of this first Bond blockbuster, and perhaps to date, the most revered James Bond movie, live on with us since the 1964 film was released. Now, to mark its 60th anniversary, Globe-Trotter has made a limited-edition suitcase collection that all bond fans would want to lay their hands on, if their budget permits that is!
The James Bond Carry-On Trolley Case is inspired by the gadget-packed Silver Birch Aston Martin DB5 and the grey and white glen check three-piece suit in which Bond drove the DB5. The modern luggage with hints of the iconic past will be released in an exclusive limited edition of 60 examples only.
Globe-Trotter is a team of highly skilled artisans based in Herefordshire, England. Reckoned for their handcrafted suitcases and travel accessories, their ways of manufacturing and machinery date back to the Victorian era, a glimpse of which is apparent also in the Goldfinger 60th Anniversary Numbered Edition Carry-On Trolley.
Globe-Trotter has made the suitcase worthy of James Bond from vulcanized fiberboard panels, a material first invented in the 1850s, with properties stronger than leather and as light as aluminum. Replicating the DB5’s Silver Birch finish from the iconic movie, the suitcase, on four wheels, has a gloss metallic silver exterior accentuated by black leather trims for the straps and on the corners. Reportedly, the leather corners are molded on Victorian press machines over five days for their form and strength.
Things are equally engrossing and detailed on the inside where the fabric lining is digitally imposed with Bond’s three-piece glen check suit. The co-branded leather patch is engraved with ‘Goldfinger Sixty Years’ and the Globe Trotter logo with the individual number of each case. The branding also carries on multiple places on the exterior.
The James Bond Carry-On Trolley suitcase weighs 4.2kg and measures H55cm, W40cm, D21cm. Owing to the size and character, this can be your ideal partner on flights if you have £3,895 GBP (approximately $5,000) to shell for the cabin bag. Available to pre-order, the cases will begin shipping in mid-late October with a choice of three license plate charms on James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in the UK, France and Switzerland.
When you see the words “globetrotting explorers” now, you probably think of rich people hopping on and off airplanes and moving from one luxurious hotel to another. But back in the 19th century, Louis Vuitton thought of a portable bed that still had some creature comforts for frequent travelers and even military officers that were always on the go. Thus the iconic Malle Lit or Bed Trunk was born. Now it has been updated with a modern touch by two of LV’s artistic directors.
Designers: Nicolas Ghesquière and Pharrell Williams
A few months ago, the Bed Trunk was re-introduced to a new generation of Louis Vuitton fans and was meant to be a supplementary bed or a daybed in the living room. Even though the use of it may have evolved already, the updated version still retains some aspects of this traveling trunk, like the foldable aluminum and beech wood structure as well as the internal mattress and mattress cover elements. Aesthetically though, and maybe purpose-wise, it has been elevated so to speak to more contemporary standards. And of course, expect the price tag to be astronomical.
Nicolas Ghesquière, the women’s creative director, has a more futuristic take on the iconic bed, adding engrave metal plates, modernized corner pieces, and an outer shell that is inspired by the 2023 Cruise collection. But inside the trunk, you get a floral-patterned mattress which is actually a version of a jacket from the 2018 Spring/Summer collection.
Renowned musician Pharrel Williams, who is also the Men’s Creative Director for LV, was inspired by the classic Bed Trunk designs, putting distressed striped paterns on the outside and red and white stripes on the inside. He has his LV Lovers brand embroidered on the jacquard mattress and pillow and put on blond wood elements and black aluminum hardware to show ooff the contrast.
Coffee machines and luggage aren’t necessarily two things that you think of that go together. Sure, when you travel, you get to experience different kinds of coffee places but you don’t necessarily lug around all your coffee paraphernalia. Well, some people actually do, but they’re the exception. When it comes to design though, coffee machines and expensive luggage aren’t really that distant so it’s interesting to see what a collaboration between two brands of those categories would look like.
Designer: Rimowa x La Marzocco
Look no further as we’re getting a Rimowa x La Marzocco Linea Mini coffee machine that brings the best of both worlds into a limited edition product. The exterior features the classic aluminum groove look and silver steel that we’re used to seeing in Rimowa suitcases but this time it’s used in the Linea Mini, a professional-grade kitchen-scaled espresso machine. Most of the parts of this machine are crafted from anodized aluminum. In fact, each of the machines are handcrafted for around 40 hours in Florence, Italy. The grooved panels were actually built in the Rimowa factory in Cologne and then assembled and installed by hand in La Marzocco’s workshop.
When it comes to features, it’s your typical espresso machine that can give you your much needed caffeine fix. Only this one has more style because of the addition of Rimowa’s signature look to what’s already a pretty stylish La Marzocco aesthetic. Both of them have their branding on the base and the frame of the machine. The minimalist aluminum feel plus the bespoke accents like the hot water tap and knobs gives off a very high-end Italian coffee shop vibe.
The Rimowa x La Marzocco Linea Mini was displayed at the recently concluded Milan Design Week. You can apparently already pre-order the machine although it’s not indicated how much and where you can actually place your order. Because these two brands are coming together, expect that the price to own a stylish espresso machine will be steep.
Envision a suitcase that’s not just for your belongings but transforms how you travel—introducing the Mishatu Voyager Smart Suitcase: a product born from a meticulously executed Kickstarter campaign that redefines travel. Far from being just another piece of luggage, the Mishatu Voyager symbolizes the perfect blend of advanced technology, innovative design, and practical functionality.
Crafted by a diverse and skilled research and development team, the Mishatu Voyager isn’t merely about storing clothes – it’s about elevating your travel experience to be smoother, more enjoyable, and undeniably stylish. Let’s dive into the journey of the Mishatu Voyager and discover how its eye-catching design and intelligent features make it an essential companion for any travel enthusiast. Buckle up as we unpack the Mishatu Voyager – a suitcase reimagining the future of travel, one journey at a time.
Design: Where Elegance Meets Durability
At the heart of the Mishatu Voyager’s allure is its design, which masterfully merges aesthetic elegance with lasting durability. The suitcase’s minimalist white exterior is more than just stylish – it’s a modern statement in travel fashion. This clean and sophisticated design choice not only boosts its visual appeal but also establishes it as a fashion-forward choice for savvy travelers. Its robust polycarbonate shell is critical, offering resilience against the rigors of travel and keeping the suitcase looking pristine over time.
Despite its compact 20-inch frame, the Mishatu Voyager impresses with a generous 33-liter capacity, weighing 12 pounds. This addresses the everyday traveler’s dilemma: efficient packing without compromising space. Its dimensions, 20.67×13.98×9.25 inches, are tailored to meet airline cabin requirements, making it an ideal carry-on. This thoughtful design balances size with capacity, catering to practical travel needs while maintaining a sleek profile.
Functionality is woven into the fabric of the Mishatu Voyager’s design philosophy. Features like Auto-Follow Mode, Assist-Uphill Mode, and Cycling Mode are seamlessly integrated, enhancing travel convenience and efficiency while preserving the suitcase’s stylish exterior.
Auto-Follow Mode: Your Personal Luggage Assistant
The Auto-Follow Mode is a feature that allows your suitcase to act as your personal assistant on wheels. Using advanced sensors and a remote control system, it can follow you autonomously, providing hands-free movement and relieving you of the physical burden of carrying your luggage. This feature is especially helpful in crowded airports and stations, making navigating through the crowds easier without worrying about your luggage.
Uphill Assistance: Making Every Journey Effortless
Navigating inclined paths or hilly terrains is a breeze with the Mishatu Voyager’s Assist Uphill Mode. Activated with a simple tilt, it propels the suitcase effortlessly uphill, addressing a significant pain point for travelers and making the physical aspect of travel more comfortable.
Cycling Mode: Adding Fun to Functionality
The Cycling Mode of the Mishatu Voyager offers an additional layer of convenience and innovation. At the heart of this feature lies a hidden gem: two ergonomic pedals that elegantly pop out from beneath the suitcase’s sleek exterior. These pedals are not just an engineering feat; they transform the suitcase into a comfortable seat, allowing you to take a break wherever your journey takes you.
Imagine the convenience of unfolding the pedals on your suitcase to take a break, savor a snack, or relax and soak in your surroundings. This distinctive feature elevates the Voyager Smart Suitcase beyond a mere travel accessory; it becomes a portable oasis of comfort.
Whether you’re at the airport awaiting a flight, pausing during a city excursion, or need a brief respite in a hectic travel itinerary, the Mishatu Voyager seamlessly conforms to your needs. Its thoughtful, user-centric design transforms the suitcase from a basic travel necessity into an adaptable travel ally, merging practicality with a dash of elegance.
Removable Battery: Compliant and Convenient
Compliance with airline regulations is ensured with the Mishatu Voyager’s removable battery, which is necessary for air travel. This battery doubles as a portable power bank, keeping your devices charged on the go.
One-Click Find Function: Never Lose Sight of Your Luggage
The one-click find function is a boon in crowded spaces, helping you locate your suitcase quickly. This feature is invaluable in busy travel hubs, offering peace of mind and reducing the likelihood of lost or stolen luggage.
App Integration: Complete Control at Your Fingertips
The Mishatu Voyager’s dedicated app enhances your control over the travel experience. With features like real-time tracking, remote control, anti-loss mode, and customizable settings, it caters to the tech-savvy traveler, offering a more secure and personalized journey.
Final Thoughts: A Revolution in Travel Gear
The Mishatu Voyager Smart Suitcase is an all-in-one solution for today’s travel challenges. Its blend of innovative features, such as auto-follow, assist uphill, and cycling mode, with practical elements like a removable battery and a dedicated app, positions it as a leader in travel gear. These features enhance the travel experience and address the practicalities of modern journeys, from security to mobility and convenience.
If you’re someone who loves traveling and indulges in it as a full-fledged affair, then you know how important it is to have the right set of travel accessories with you. And the accessory decision that you need to pay the most attention to first and foremost is – the correct choice of suitcase. A suitcase forms the foundation of your travel gear, and you base everything else around it. And, the travel brand Mono is pretty great at designing excellent suitcases. The name Monos is inspired by the Japanese concept of ‘Mono no aware’, and it is centered around the feelings one has regarding the fleeting and delicate nature of a particular moment.
Monos’ luggage is designed to be fun, whimsical, and yet functional. They have a diverse range of suitcases including the Monos x Magnolia Bakery collaboration with the popular NYC-based Magnolia Bakery. The pieces in the collection are cupcake-inspired and with a colorful and whimsical aesthetic that instantly makes you want to grab them. They also have a sophisticated Terrazzo which is a limited edition and involves a hard shell luggage option that looks very much like Terrazzo. They have other limited edition pieces as well such as – Terracotta, Sage Green, Purple Icing, and Banana Pudding.
The Monos’ carry-on and check-in bags feature aerospace-grade, water-resistant polycarbonate hard shells that are equipped with 360° spinner wheels. The inside of every case is lined with an anti-microbial lining which is built from 100% recycled polyester, and is further adorned with ultra-microfiber vegan leather detailings. The suitcases are amped with TSA-approved combination locks, dual Y-shaped compression straps, and dividers, accentuated with YKK reverse coil zippers, and a flexible telescopic handle with four different height settings.
And to make things even more interesting, Monos also has the Carry-On Pro, and Carry-On Pro Plus models which essentially upgraded hard cases with an additional built-in and fold-out compartment that is a great space to store your laptop. You can also use this space to accommodate a tablet, jacket, sweater, or travel shoes – while providing you with easy access to pull them out whenever needed.
After being stuck indoors for so long because of COVID, people have started traveling again en masse and with such intensity that the term “revenge travel” was coined. Whether it’s just across the country or to another one, people have started to remember the feeling of freedom that traveling produces. At the same time, however, it also reminds them of some of the stress involved, particularly when it comes to packing and anxiously waiting for their bags to appear on the luggage conveyor belt. Truth be told, it’s probably impossible to completely get rid of all those negative emotions, so every little thing that lightens the mood can help. This design concept, for example, doesn’t make packing easier or make time go faster, but it adds a rather playful flavor to your suitcase that might give you joy, or even make you drool, every time you see it.
Designer: Yujeong Shin
Most travel bags are designed with greater emphasis on functionality and durability, especially for suitcases that can never escape rough handling and tumbling on flights or cruises. Of course, that doesn’t mean they can’t be made to look beautiful or visually interesting, especially when aesthetics also add value to the product beyond just appearances. With the right choice of materials and thoughtful design, almost any type of theme can be used to make a suitcase look enticing without sacrificing its core features.
These pieces of luggage, for example, were made to resemble the rather famous appearance of sushi. In particular, they’re made with the dual tones of “nigiri” in mind, with white “rice” topped by a colorful ingredient, something that’s a bit easy to pull off considering suitcases are made of two halves in the first place. Associating suitcases with food might be an odd idea, but the motif is almost perfect when you consider how these rectangular containers on the airport conveyor belt almost look like sushi on food conveyor belts that are popular in Japan.
The designs cover three popular types of sushi, each with its own distinct colors as well as ridges unique to the flavors. The yellow egg (“tamago”) design has the usual spiral design you’ll see on such sushi, while both the brown eel (“unagi”) and orange salmon (“sake”) have raised waves that run across the top. Admittedly, there are more flavors of nigiri available, though the collection is oddly missing the equally popular red tuna (“maguro”).
The sushi metaphor doesn’t stop there, however, and another aspect reveals a rather genius marriage of form and function. A strap wraps around the width of the suitcase, resembling the strip of seaweed (“nori”) used to hold the two halves of sushi together. This strap has an area for writing your information and saves you the trouble of having to buy a separate accessory for the suitcase. The sushi suitcase isn’t a groundbreaking new design that changes the formula completely, but it helps make traveling a bit more enjoyable and even fun, especially if you’re going to Japan.
I’m about to embark on what will probably be my longest travel away from home. While I’m pretty excited for it of course, I’m also nervous about the luggage situation as I always bring a lot of things with me and pack light is a foreign concept to me. I feel like I want to bring all of my creature comforts as well as make the place I’ll be staying in for three weeks as home-y as possible. The idea behind this newest collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Marc Newson is to have luggage and modular cabinets for the modern (and rich) traveler.
Designer: Marc Newson for Louis Vuitton
The Cabinet of Curiosities (not to be mistaken for the Netflix series) reimagines the iconic traveler trunk from Louis Vuitton and turns it into something that is not just storage for your stuff but something that can be turned into a display of the stuff that you brought along with you. On the outside, it looks like your typical monogrammed traveler’s trunk but the magic happens when you open it and assemble the storage cubes and all the items you want to store and display.
Each trunk comes with 19 colorful and modular storage cubes which you can arrange according to your mood or preference. The trunk can be displayed upright with a 180-degree opening while some of the cubes have a hinged door in case you want to keep some of the objects hidden inside. The bigger ones are just shelves where you can display books, figurines, sculptures, and other knick knacks.
The Cabinet of Curiosities comes in three colorways: VVN natural leather, yellow, and if you want to have more colorful shelves, there’s also a tricolor made up of red, blue, and green boxes/shelves. Obviously, this is not something that you will use to actually travel but it’s an interesting trunk to bring along with you when you need to turn into a cabinet and display your life.
Who knew that Kodak’s visual language would translate so wonderfully onto luggage design?! The bulbous forms are reminiscent of Kodak’s M35 and disposable FunSaver camera designs, and I can’t begin to tell you how MUCH I love that bold splash of yellow. You’d see that bag on the airport luggage belt from a mile away!
Designer: Hypt Design & Andy Kim
Designed as a set of three bags ranging from a small carry-on to a medium cabin/check-in case and a large check-in case, the Kodak luggage is a clever reinterpretation of the ‘Kodak Moment’ – the company’s famous slogan. Instead of photographs, however, the luggage focuses on travel, helping you create memorable experiences that are worthy of photographs. In doing so, Kodak still manages to be an integral part of the memory-making experience, but in an absolutely new way.
The three cases cover a wide range of travel needs and can be bought either individually or as a comprehensive traveling kit. The smallest is a perfect hard-case replacement for your laptop bag, letting you carry just the essentials and tech accessories (and probably your toiletries too), while the medium and large cases are ideal for clothes, footwear, food, and everything else you need on your holidays. All three bags come with hard-shell exteriors, with the Kodak logo embossed onto them through the vacuum-forming process. The medium and large cases have a smaller red Kodak logo on the top right corner too.
“The project was carried out with two goals: utilization of Kodak brand assets and satisfaction of the essence of luggage products,” says Hypt Design. Kodak is currently expanding to apparel and developing various brands with a strong focus on the ‘moment’, a key part of the Kodak experience from its camera-making days. “Therefore, the design story was set as a trip for the moment you want to leave behind,” Hypt Design adds.
The iconic Kodak logo inlaid into the bag as visual branding.
TSA-friendly combination lock
Caster wheels with the Kodak logo too
The bags are a combination of being flashy and functional, something that one could argue it has in common with Kodak’s cameras from its heyday too. Available in 5 colors, they’re distinctly different from other travel cases we’ve seen just given their color palette. There’s little you can do to deviate from the cuboidal nature of the bags, given that they need to have rectangular empty spaces, but the vibrant yellow and red variants make for a lasting impact, while the cream, olive, and black are a little more understated, for the kind of traveler who wants to make experiences and have Kodak moments without drawing attention!
Now that almost everybody who can afford to is doing all sorts of revenge travel, some may be looking for more luggage items to add to their collection or to replace those that remain unused for two years. If you’re looking for something that can be used as a carry on and also something that can be used in various terrains if you’re planning some outdoor travel, that can be a difficult proposition. There are probably not a lot that can be both but now we have a concept for it.
Designer: Ivan Zhurba
The Allover is a concept for a carry on bag that aims to be the first bag that can be used on all terrains and also brought on planes. You should be able to use it on sand, gravel, mountains, and other terrains because it has big enough wheels to move through them with the “DeLorean” of wheels transformation as well as a high clearance. At the same time, you should be able to use it on various daily, tourism activities including going on and off planes with your carry-on luggage. It has been designed to meet the requirements of most air carriers so you can bring it on the plane.
The luggage is also eco-friendly as it uses recycled plastics for its main body. It uses a spiral mechanism so that it won’t use up so much inner space and also be hidden. When the user drags the handle towards themselves, the inner spiral turns and the wheels are sliding to the side. The design makes it look like a kids’ wagon but instead of having an open one, you get a luggage that you can pull around through the airport and through the mountains.
The recycled plastics give off a Terrazzo effect so the luggage has a texture that not only gives off a camouflage feel. It also protects the bags from scratches and other drops and drags that the bags experience whether at the airport and also in the various terrains that you’ll bring it to.
The most game-changing idea in travel luggage design doesn’t even use an ounce of tech or a single smart sensor…
I’m assuming that, just like me, you own at least two travel cases. A larger one for longer holidays (that gets checked in at the airport), and a smaller one for short trips and out-of-town business meetings (that gets carried onto the plane as cabin luggage). While that sounds like a pretty sensible idea to begin with, the folks behind the VELO Luggage will have you believe that owning two travel cases of different sizes is just a waste of space and money. Why buy two cases, they ask instead, when one could just do the trick? Equipped with a pretty ingenious telescopic design, the VELO Luggage basically expands and contracts in size, giving you a small cabin bag when you need to go on a short weekend getaway, or a large travel case for those longer trips. Heck, the VELO Luggage even adjusts to a medium size, allowing you to choose between three different travel cases, all in just one simple design.
Although the idea of using a telescopic schematic dates back hundreds of years, the VELO Luggage’s implementation of the shape-shifting format feels incredibly new and inspired. Thanks to its rather clever design, the travel case goes from a compact 40L cabin bag to a mid-size 56L check-in case all the way to a large 72L check-in case. Its width during this transformation remains unaltered, but rather the bag expands vertically, giving you nearly double the space simply by pulling its two halves apart.
The VELO Luggage does this while still managing to be incredibly robust and durable, thanks to a 4-part hard-shell construction that’s made from up to polycarbonate, supported by an aerospace-grade aluminum frame for that sturdy design sans the weight. It features an ergonomic handle that sits flush within the frame when closed, and opens out when needed (using the same telescopic design) to adjust to all of the VELO Luggage’s 3 height settings.
The height setting is perhaps the VELO Luggage’s biggest achievement, and I won’t be surprised if this becomes the standard soon, just like USB ports on travel cases have become the de-facto symbol of product innovation. However, what VELO does is much more creative and adds measurable value to the traveling experience. Built with a patented joint design that allows you to basically alter the size of your travel case, the VELO Luggage means you never have to choose between luggage sizes again. No matter how long your vacation or trip is, VELO pretty much has you sorted, even letting you extend your holidays, need be! The bag expands and contracts thanks to this unique mechanism while being strong enough to easily withstand you sitting or standing on it, and being water-resistant throughout.
That expanding space isn’t just a magical one-off feature, though. The designers at VELO were mindful enough to follow through by making the inner space of the travel case modular in nature. The VELO comes with compression panels that adjust to the size of the case, as well as multiple dividers and packing cubes that allow you to stay modular and organized while traveling, along with even the quintessential laptop carrying sleeve and inflatable neck pillow that are almost synonymous with travel these days. The VELO Luggage also comes with the latest TSA 008 lock, 360° silent wheels, and as yet another testament to its mindful design, an integrated bottom handle that lets you easily lift the suitcase up for when you’re stowing it in the boot of your car, picking it up to place on the conveyor belt at the airport, or just lifting it to place on your bed while packing/unpacking.
It seems like the only place where the VELO Luggage seems to fall somewhat short is in the fact that it only comes in one color. Yes, I’m being incredibly nitpicky here, given that there’s very little to fault with this seemingly magical piece of luggage. Each VELO Luggage is physically stress tested for drops, rolls, tumbles, pressure, and impact to ensure that the case can easily withstand even the roughest of handling. To sweeten the deal, the VELO Luggage (which starts at an incredibly affordable $219) comes with an international 2-year warranty on the case’s construction. You can pre-order your own VELO Luggage below, with global shipping starting January 2023.