A travelling exhibition of Globe-Trotter cases presents classics from the house archive, as well as a selection of collaboration projects between the British luggage brand and some surprising international partners.
The development of Globe-Trotter cases has been a 125-year journey, during which we have seen the innovative lightweight suitcase created at the end of the 19th century evolve into a much-loved design classic.
A new exhibition brings this evolution to life and shows how today’s Globe-Trotters essentially employ the original manufacturing methods first established by the firm back in 1897. Still created from the patented Vulcanised Fibreboard material and finished with leather corners, the cases are strong and durable, yet lightweight and functional. Over time, they have acquired a reputation as a much-loved example of great Made-in-England design.
The travelling exhibition celebrates the century and a quarter of Globe-Trotter, and launches in the Burlington Arcade flagship store in London before leaving on its tour of the world, providing a fascinating overview of the development of the brand’s luggage.
As well as displaying some key pieces from our earlier days, 125 Years of Globe-Trotter assembles for the first time a comprehensive selection of the innovative and varied collaborations we have produced in the 21st century.
A travelling exhibition of Globe-Trotter cases presents classics from the house archive, as well as a selection of collaboration projects between the British luggage brand and some surprising international partners.
The development of Globe-Trotter cases has been a 125-year journey, during which we have seen the innovative lightweight suitcase created at the end of the 19th century evolve into a much-loved design classic.
A new exhibition brings this evolution to life and shows how today’s Globe-Trotters essentially employ the original manufacturing methods first established by the firm back in 1897. Still created from the patented Vulcanised Fibreboard material and finished with leather corners, the cases are strong and durable, yet lightweight and functional. Over time, they have acquired a reputation as a much-loved example of great Made-in-England design.
The travelling exhibition celebrates the century and a quarter of Globe-Trotter, and launches in the Burlington Arcade flagship store in London before leaving on its tour of the world, providing a fascinating overview of the development of the brand’s luggage.
As well as displaying some key pieces from our earlier days, 125 Years of Globe-Trotter assembles for the first time a comprehensive selection of the innovative and varied collaborations we have produced in the 21st century.
These days, collaborations between brands are an established way of creating exciting new products, forged from the interaction of different aesthetics and design philosophies. At Globe-Trotter, the concept of creative partnerships pre-dates the current vogue for these link-ups, as we began working on brand collaborations some two decades ago.
So why not visit the Globe-Trotter store in London’s Burlington Arcade and take a trip from 1897 and the days of train and steam, through the jet-set mid-20th century right up to today and our desire for increasingly adventurous and luxurious travel experiences.
GLOBE-TROTTER CLASSIC CASES
c. 1897 Original brown suitcase. Vulcanised Fibreboard, made in Saxony.
c. 1935 Navy shoe case. Vulcanised Fibreboard, British made.
c. 1958 Burgundy 16″ Hat Case and Blue/Navy Suitcase. Vulcanised Fibreboard, made in England.
c. 1970 Ivory, personalised 26″ suitcase and Red 26″ Suitcase. Vulcanised Fibreboard, made in England.
1997 Safari collection. Vulcanised Fibreboard and leather, made in England.
2017 Carbon/Burgundy 20″ Trolley Case. Carbon fibre, made in England.
2020 to present Grey & Caramel 4-Wheel Cases. Vulcanised Fibreboard and leather, made in England.
These days, collaborations between brands are an established way of creating exciting new products, forged from the interaction of different aesthetics and design philosophies. At Globe-Trotter, the concept of creative partnerships pre-dates the current vogue for these link-ups, as we began working on brand collaborations some two decades ago.
So why not visit the Globe-Trotter store in London’s Burlington Arcade and take a trip from 1897 and the days of train and steam, through the jet-set mid-20th century right up to today and our desire for increasingly adventurous and luxurious travel experiences.
GLOBE-TROTTER CLASSIC CASES
c. 1897 Original brown suitcase. Vulcanised Fibreboard, made in Saxony.
c. 1935 Navy shoe case. Vulcanised Fibreboard, British made.
c. 1958 Burgundy 16″ Hat Case and Blue/Navy Suitcase. Vulcanised Fibreboard, made in England.
c. 1970 Ivory, personalised 26″ suitcase and Red 26″ Suitcase. Vulcanised Fibreboard, made in England.
1997 Safari collection. Vulcanised Fibreboard and leather, made in England.
2017 Carbon/Burgundy 20″ Trolley Case. Carbon fibre, made in England.
2020 to present Grey & Caramel 4-Wheel Cases. Vulcanised Fibreboard and leather, made in England.
2007 Globe-Trotter x Eley Kishimoto
Print designers Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto, known for their own fashion collection and their work with designers such as Alexander McQueen, Jil Sander, Alber Elbaz and Marc Jacobs, created this decorated case, an early example of the use of Globe-Trotter’s Vulcanised Fibreboard shell as a canvas.
2007 Hermès Faubourg Express PM Suitcase by Globe-Trotter
For the French house’s autumn/winter 2007/08 collection, it collaborated with Globe-Trotter to create the Faubourg Express PM Suitcase. It features Globe-Trotter’s classic Vulcanised Fibreboard shell, silver hardware and brown leather corner details. However, inside, the lining is decorated with an illustration – the Champs de Courses (racetrack) by artist Hubert de Watrigant – alluding to Hermès’s equestrian heritage.
2009 Globe-Trotter x Agent Provocateur
The disruptive maker of lingerie partnered with Globe-Trotter on this exclusive case. The interior lining features a series of faux travel “stickers”, illustrated in inimitable Agent Provocateur style.
2007 Globe-Trotter x Eley Kishimoto
Print designers Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto, known for their own fashion collection and their work with designers such as Alexander McQueen, Jil Sander, Alber Elbaz and Marc Jacobs, created this decorated case, an early example of the use of Globe-Trotter’s Vulcanised Fibreboard shell as a canvas.
2007 Hermès Faubourg Express PM Suitcase by Globe-Trotter
For the French house’s autumn/winter 2007/08 collection, it collaborated with Globe-Trotter to create the Faubourg Express PM Suitcase. It features Globe-Trotter’s classic Vulcanised Fibreboard shell, silver hardware and brown leather corner details. However, inside, the lining is decorated with an illustration – the Champs de Courses (racetrack) by artist Hubert de Watrigant – alluding to Hermès’s equestrian heritage.
2009 Globe-Trotter x Agent Provocateur
The disruptive maker of lingerie partnered with Globe-Trotter on this exclusive case. The interior lining features a series of faux travel “stickers”, illustrated in inimitable Agent Provocateur style.
2010 Wallpaper* for Globe-Trotter Limited Edition Luggage
Wallpaper* developed a set of luggage with Globe-Trotter that epitomises the contemporary chic of the magazine. A suitcase and holdall in Globe-Trotter’s classic blue colourway are lined with an illustration of an aerial view of Manhattan by award-winning illustrator Russell Bell.
2010 Wallpaper* for Globe-Trotter Limited Edition Luggage
Wallpaper* developed a set of luggage with Globe-Trotter that epitomises the contemporary chic of the magazine. A suitcase and holdall in Globe-Trotter’s classic blue colourway are lined with an illustration of an aerial view of Manhattan by award-winning illustrator Russell Bell.
2010 Asprey Londoner Collection Suitcases in collaboration with Globe-Trotter
Designed by Asprey’s creative director Bruce Hoeksema in collaboration with Globe-Trotter, the Londoner Collection suitcases channelled the fact that Globe-Trotter has been a luggage maker for the British royal family (and Asprey is itself a Royal Warrant holder). Comprising a striking set of suitcases and trolley cases, the designs are in two colours – matt black with oxidised metallic corners and black crocodile trim and, using Asprey’s brand colour and that associated with royalty, metallic purple with purple crocodile trim. Both feature a hemp linen lining, Asprey’s signature lock, a leather hand-stamped Asprey label, and hand-stitched crocodile corners that match the removable luggage straps.
2012 Globe-Trotter x Manolo Blahnik with Lane Crawford
In 2012, shoe designer Manolo Blahnik was invited to curate a collection of shoes from his archive spanning four decades to be displayed at speciality department store Lane Crawford in Hong Kong. To accompany this, he also partnered with six brands, including Globe-Trotter, to create exclusive pieces to be sold at the store. The red-and-blue striped case makes a perfect shoe carrier.
2012 Skyfall: The Stabilist (Assassin’s) Case
To celebrate the release of Skyfall and 50 years of James Bond on screen, Globe-Trotter produced the Stabilist Case in 2012. The consumer model was based on the Globe-Trotter used in the film by the villain Patrice (Ola Rapace), which came apart to form a sniper’s rifle. The replica Stabilist Case is a slim 26″ aluminium suitcase with a diamond-quilted Alcantara lining and internal plaque to commemorate its appearance in Skyfall. Its handle is a facsimile of a rifle’s telescopic sight, a detail developed by Globe-Trotter and Pinewood Studios’ armourer especially for Skyfall. Each case features a unique serial number in the limited edition of 100.
2010 Asprey Londoner Collection Suitcases in collaboration with Globe-Trotter
Designed by Asprey’s creative director Bruce Hoeksema in collaboration with Globe-Trotter, the Londoner Collection suitcases channelled the fact that Globe-Trotter has been a luggage maker for the British royal family (and Asprey is itself a Royal Warrant holder). Comprising a striking set of suitcases and trolley cases, the designs are in two colours – matt black with oxidised metallic corners and black crocodile trim and, using Asprey’s brand colour and that associated with royalty, metallic purple with purple crocodile trim. Both feature a hemp linen lining, Asprey’s signature lock, a leather hand-stamped Asprey label, and hand-stitched crocodile corners that match the removable luggage straps.
2012 Globe-Trotter x Manolo Blahnik with Lane Crawford
In 2012, shoe designer Manolo Blahnik was invited to curate a collection of shoes from his archive spanning four decades to be displayed at speciality department store Lane Crawford in Hong Kong. To accompany this, he also partnered with six brands, including Globe-Trotter, to create exclusive pieces to be sold at the store. The red-and-blue striped case makes a perfect shoe carrier.
2012 Skyfall: The Stabilist (Assassin’s) Case
To celebrate the release of Skyfall and 50 years of James Bond on screen, Globe-Trotter produced the Stabilist Case in 2012. The consumer model was based on the Globe-Trotter used in the film by the villain Patrice (Ola Rapace), which came apart to form a sniper’s rifle. The replica Stabilist Case is a slim 26″ aluminium suitcase with a diamond-quilted Alcantara lining and internal plaque to commemorate its appearance in Skyfall. Its handle is a facsimile of a rifle’s telescopic sight, a detail developed by Globe-Trotter and Pinewood Studios’ armourer especially for Skyfall. Each case features a unique serial number in the limited edition of 100.
The journal — stories from
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around the world
Explore Journal
The journal — stories from
around the world
around the world