Case Studies: Luggage to Lust After

In luxurious black crocodile skin, the Dell’ga Shoe Case is the perfect accompaniment for longer liaisons, event-filled trips or simply the man who likes to keep his options open. With secure, padded fabric sections for twelve pairs of shoes, the striking azure lining adds a touch of glamour and contrast to an otherwise sleek and simple piece of carry-on. Silver studs prevent unsightly wear and tear on two edges, whilst two handles provide easy access and comfort. Complete with combination locks, smooth gliding wheels and a retractable handle, Dell’ga delivers a well-considered piece of luggage that will add elegance and distinction to your travels. £4500.00, www.dellga.it

It’s no surprise that Goyard’s clientele are long-standing devotees of the heritage brand, returning decade after decade for the utmost in luxurious bespoke trunks. With slick compartments for watches and ties, your accessories will be taken care of wherever life takes you. The house’s trademark coated cloth with herringbone pattern is a unique hallmark from Goyard and virtually impossible to counterfeit and the minutely detailed paint dots form a pattern that reflects the brand’s log driving ancestry (the Goyard family originated in Burgundy where the family males transported firewood to Paris). These deft touches result in treasured heirlooms worthy of socialites, celebrities, maharajas and monarchs, all of which form a part of the house’s patronage, preferring the discreet charm of Goyard’s vintage aesthetic. In short, with a chocolate leather trim that looks good enough to eat, striking yolk lining and polished gold components, the Malle Palace 55cm Noir/Gold trunk represents a truly sophisticated testimony to the luggage-maker’s art. €6850.00, www.goyard.com

International British brand Mark/Giusti recruits the finest artisans to work on its Italian-made leather goods, craftsmen who have decades of experience passed down through many a generation - a concept which dedicates time, energy and knowledge to creating the perfect union of function, design and historical art. The Gatsby collection is a capsule of contemporary travel essentials and has been one of their most sought-after. This latest cabin trolley is an addition of such high calibre that it can only continue their success. Premium grained calf leather and cotton sateen are timeless features of the Jet Set leather case and discreetly promote a smooth journey, while the bellissimo interior fabric replicates an original marble pattern found in the Basilica di San Vitale in sixth-century Ravenna… Molto bene. £1480.00, www.markgiusti.com

Smythson’s Montagu collection is simple, cool and polished. In dawn blue, navy and black, these are investment pieces in colours that will never age, and in styles that are too classic to ever be passé. Smythson have always specialised in luxury leather products, and this selection is a sure sign the brand can still deliver a tight collection of superior goods. Smart, sexy and made in the deepest black calf leather, this particular holdall evokes a strong sense of style and an appreciation for the little things; exquisite stitching, light gold finishes, a suede lining and internal pockets. With three Royal Warrants, Smythson guarantees uncompromised quality, functionality and versatility, and 125 years of meticulous manufacturing, as is recognised by their most discerning patrons. £1695.00, www.smythson.com

Brics brings together the maximum in comfort and high-tech innovation, as demanded by any arbiter of travel worth his salt. Makloron® polycarbonate is exceptionally light, while simultaneously being shock- and scratch-resistant, offering maximum protection to your travel wares as well as your suitcase. Tuscan leather inserts paired with a rich cream body produce a smart retro twist - evoking spontaneous summery weekends spent in a vintage Alfa Romeo - the rubber-coated zips are water repellent and the four Hinomoto wheels guarantee 360° rotation and discreet manoeuvrability. Leaders in Italian-standard quality, Mario Briccola began the brand with a family investment and a small shop of workers hand-crafting their first orders. Today the brand is still steeped in Italian touches married with modern influences. £445.00, www.brics.it

Globe Trotter was established in 1897 in Saxony Germany, and since moving to the UK in 1932 has supplied HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, to name but a couple of more notable customers, with the finest English luggage and cases over the last century. Each Orient Urushi Deep Trolley Case is handcrafted by master Japanese artisans in Tokyo and the vulcanised fibreboard is hand-lacquered with several layers of urushi, a tree sap used in traditional oriental arts and crafts as far back as 4000BC. With this lacquer applied, a coating of clear gloss varnish is added to protect and polish this stunning natural material. What’s more, since the appearance of the urushi will vary according to the conditions in which it dries, each Orient suitcase carries its own unique patina. The cases are also lined in the finest champagne coloured silk. £2420.00, www.globe-trotter.co.uk

Dunhill’s catchphrase – “Everything but the motor” – reflects the eponymous founder’s passion for driving accessories and ‘Motorities’, a phrase he coined to encapsulate his early collections. Dunhill’s sharp eye for gaps in the market and experience in designing unprecedented products is echoed in the brand’s most recent luggage release; the Kempton Boot Bag. Named after the racecourse itself, it is a pearl among stones, woven in durable tan canvas, trimmed in mahogany calfskin leather and handcrafted in Italy. A detachable strap in burnt sienna and the bag’s softly structured design makes for ease of travel and comfortable carriage, whilst protecting one’s equestrian footwear with style and the house’s understated elegance. It also includes a zip-up pocket in which to keep one’s go-to polish and leather conditioner so as never to be caught in a scuff. £1390.00, www.dunhill.com

It goes without saying that Parisians are known worldwide for their super-sleek style and effortless chic. Parisian luxury luggage purveyor Moynat is no exception; as well as creating aesthetically impressive and utterly cool pieces, their technical innovation and experimental silhouettes have resulted in many a unique patented design, none more so than their 1902 invention, the Limousine. Built with a unique concave underside, which remains a signature of Moynat today, the trunk was designed to fit smoothly atop the eponymous motorcar – Moynat also designed a collection that would fit inside a range of automobile trunks, and have continued to think outside the box ever since. Fast forward a century, and this iconic design has been translated into the perfect attaché case, the curved feature proving versatile when carried, avoiding contact with the carrier’s leg and perfect for the international man who takes his business worldwide and requires a distinctive case in order to do so. £9100.00, www.moynat.com

Berluti’s success lies in its secrecy; the house’s inimitable trademark patina (which naturally is applied to this trolley) has been developed and perfected with a well-guarded technique, and can be expertly adjusted to the buyer’s individual tastes. Using a natural, mineral-tanning process invented by Olga Berluti, the colours are given their characteristic transparency. Consequently, the Formula 1000 rolling case is eye-catching and resplendent in its unapologetically bold alligator leather. Held to rigorous standards of selection, the flawless natural skins are patinaed to produce a bold effect that is uncharacteristic but remarkably fitting for Berluti. In a glossy shade of cabernet, high impact resistant wheels and pockets for everything one may need – from flat documents to a shoehorn compartment – Berluti have updated a traditional piece of luggage for the modern wayfaring chap in a design you simply won’t see anywhere else. $59,500.00, www.berluti.com