Globe-Trotter: the most famous suitcase in the world
Jettison your old suitcase, and jet-set with the ultimate luggage
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Over 100 years of globetrotting has made Globe-Trotter suitcases into a truly iconic international brand – and the envy of travellers worldwide.
Although Globe-Trotter are now synonymous with British design, the company was actually established in Germany in 1897 and moved to the UK in 1932. Since then, all of the suitcases and travel accessories have been handcrafted in their UK factory by a team of highly skilled artisans, with many still using the original manufacturing methods and machinery that their Victorian era counterparts used.
David Nelken, the company founder, developed a technique for manufacturing suitcases using vulcanised fibreboard. Thanks to this incredibly lightweight but strong material consisting of 14 layers of specially formulated paper, the cases quickly became popular in Britain for their superior quality.
In the first half of the 20th century Globe-Trotter marketed their luggage as ‘The World’s Most Famous Suitcase’ and the tagline really stuck. Before long their client list had become more than just distinguished, it included many of the most influential people of the era. Sir Winston Churchill used a Globe-Trotter Dispatch Case whilst he was Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1924. James Bond made them his cases of choice for the most recent 007 film ‘Spectre’. And HM Queen Elizabeth II even chose Globe-Trotter as the luggage for her honeymoon in 1947 – and I am reliably informed that she continues to use her cases to this day.
Now a modern day classic, the new millennium saw the first ever Globe-Trotter flagship store open in London’s prestigious Burlington Arcade. Despite its relatively small size, the store proved to be a great success. In 2014 the Globe-Trotter flagship store opened on Albemarle Street in London’s Mayfair, cementing the company’s position as a key British heritage brand.
In December 2012, Globe-Trotter moved into its current factory in Hertfordshire, a facility that allowed both the suitcase and leather production to take place in one location – a move that enabled the company to increase production levels to meet the growing demand worldwide. Committing its future to plans for a worldwide expansion, Globe-Trotter already has another flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo, where they have a enjoyed strong trading links.
One of the company’s best sellers, The ‘Original’ suitcase collection is a continuation of the very first model put into production. Likewise the ‘Centenary’ collection, launched in 1997, has become part of the core offering, with the iconic leather corners, straps, and handles but a wider range of colours. The two leather collections – ‘Jet’ and ‘Propellor’ – are also inspired by the simplicity of the iconic luggage which has come to define the brand.’
All images courtesy of Globe-Trotter. For more information on the brand, see here.
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