Wheels Up!

In the maddening melee that is a modern airport, it’s amazing how one’s eye always manages to hone in on the person striding purposefully through the chaos with the luxury carry-on. That diminutive four-wheeled spinner isn’t merely a vessel for clothing – it’s a signifier of style and a measure of taste. No wonder it turns heads. Small it might be, but the luxury carry-on punches above its weight and, somewhat comfortingly, nods to the bygone romance of travel. Which, as anyone who has ever caught an early flight from a major hub can testify, is sadly lacking in today’s commercialised globetrotting.

In the 1950s, often referred to as the “Golden Age of travel”, icons like Marilyn Monroe and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor would step off Pan Am flights with stacks of monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunks, the porter at the foot of the steps ready to whisk them off in a Silver Shadow parked on the runway.

Today, we’ve swapped grandeur for that thirsty commodity called time, which, when travelling, is always of the essence. That’s why the carry-on has become integral to the modern air traveller. Many luxury brands, luggage specialists and innovative disruptors have put the carry-on back on a pedestal, with travel titans such as Rimowa transforming it into a symbol of sophistication without sacrificing utility.

From Louis Vuitton’s Horizon 55, conjured up by rock star industrial designer Marc Newson, to English heritage brand Globe-Trotter’s handcrafted vulcanised fibreboard Centenary case, the carry-on is as much of a status signifier as a Rolex or a Birkin. But where luxury fashion has misstepped with overpriced clothing manufactured cheaply, these carry-ons are built to last: their materials and construction ensuring they withstand the rigours of travel, all the while accruing character and heirloom status. They are an invitation to travel with intention and to move through the world with elegance, one stylish journey at a time.

$3,885

Created in collaboration with the Italian luxury luggage maker, FPM Milano, Gucci’s Porter trolley features the Italian house’s beige and ebony GG Supreme canvas, contrasted against a silver aluminium trim. With a 37.5L capacity, there’s enough room to pack for a week at Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel.

Louis Vuitton Horizon 55
$3,430

Designed by Marc Newson, the Horizon 55 blends Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram canvas with a featherlight titanium shell and cowhide leather trim. Silent wheels will ensure you keep a low profile in the lounges, while the large external candle handles mean a flat-packable interior.

From $2,265

Handcrafted in England, the unmistakable Centenary Carry-On blends vulcanized fibreboard with leather straps and gold-tone brass fittings for a unique aesthetic. Its four quiet wheels and roomy interior fuse vintage charm with practicality and panache.

Hermès R.M.S. Cabin Suitcase
$11,940

Hermès’ R.M.S. Cabin suitcase, in “Pacific” printed H Plume canvas and taurillon Regate leather, is as luxurious as it gets. It features a rotating telescopic handle, a caviar canvas lining and a curvilinear zipper. Oh, and it looks like it’s on roller skates.

$1,655

German engineering meets contemporary styling. Rimowa’s Cabin Twist features the now iconic grooved aluminium shell, contrasted with leather accents. The Multiwheel® System is the carry-on equivalent of velvet slippers, while the internal dividers ensure your items are packed perfectly.

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