Americana loving Brit designer Greg Chapman spent a year and a half traveling around the world with the Globe-Trotter Safari Air, a case that he purchased at the revered company’s shop in London’s Burlington Arcade after a meeting with brand Creative Director Gary Bott. A little while later, Chapman approached Globe-Trotter and Bott about collaborating on a modified case that incorporates some modern day considerations – though nothing too crazy like wheels – and then set out to create a small run of special edition Globe-Trotters based on the company’s functional 1912 Stabilist series.
More history on the inspiration for the Greg Chapman x Globe-Trotter collaboration:
In 1912, the Stabilist series were bespoke manufactured Globe-Trotter luggage that featured special functionality for the Victorian traveler; such as wardrobe trunks, hat and shoe cases for travel by horse drawn carriage, rail and cruise liner.
Much of the original machinery required to produce the Stabilist line was melted down during the World War for use as ammunition and so a piece of Globe-Trotter history was sadly lost. Also, as modern travel demands changed so did the requirement for simpler, more compact and lighter weight luggage; better suited for the age of commercial air travel; returning full circle 100-years on to 2012 with a historical re-launch.
The special edition (and English made) cases are just now landing exclusively at Mohawk General Store in L.A. and Union Made in San Francisco for $1850. A hefty price indeed, but these cases will certainly outlive both you and your footman, so don’t fret.
I confess, I have a thing, well, for this kind of thing, but this is fantastic. It looks like on my next trip to San Francisco I will be returning with new luggage.
#TravelWell
Travelwell indeed Ryan.
@bodah you better call them and put a deposit on one if you are serious. Not many of these were made.
Amazing piece of luggage!
If ever I become rich and famous (well, rich perhaps is the first requirement) I would love to own a piece of this luggage. And their briefcase is equally handsome. Churchill carried it.
I really love the look of Globe Trotter.
But how do you handle not having TSA locks on the luggage?
I travel well over 125,000 a year in the airm, check my luggage, and the locks are a necessity.
I’ve written Globe Trotter and received no response.
I’d like you insight.
I’m confused. What are the modern considerations – a place designed for an iPad?! For $1850, it seems the case’s modern considerations may be outdated in two years. Hopefully, there’s also a place for my Sony Walkman. That interior strap setup looks to be too small for a typical laptop, and why are there exterior leather straps – for show, or aren’t the locking mechanisms trustworthy enough? It definitely looks stylish and seems to be made well, but as with all vintage (or vintage inspired) luggage, today’s real world travel needs and extra costs for checking baggage completely outweigh fashion wants (for most people). Then again, that’s what all these vintage-inspired creations and promotions are really all about, right? – opulence and fashion over need and function (under the ruse of need and function). It’s a good sell for 5% of the population…
@Junk Everything is overpriced as far as you are concerned (I just looked at your past comments). I think it is time for you to find a blog that is more in line with your price-point.
You mentioned how “hefty” the cost of this luggage is, so don’t be a hypocrite here. I’m simply stating the obvious, and looking back on your posts, the obvious has nothing to do with my personal opinion on cost (other than me being right). Sorry if I upset you and your world with my questions – perhaps it is time you grow some thicker skin and learn how to take some (or answer) objective criticism since you’re posting in the public domain. I do like the design of some of the products you peddle, but it’s all kind of ridiculous, and looking back on past posts, I’m not alone in thinking this (that’s if you don’t delete the comments first). I enjoy seeing how absurd “trendsetters” can be, so save your browsing suggestions for people who actually listen to your advice, Michael…
Please send us a photo of yourself that we can verify that you are not, in fact, a trendsetter. We need to verify that you don’t support anything expensive or good (with the exception of this site, of course — wink wink). You’re merely here for the absurdity…THE ABSURDITY!
I would never ever check this at the terminal. Them throwing my luggage on the conveyer belt makes me sick! I second that their briefcases are !dope! and more useful.
oddly the entire notion of luggage and airports demands better baggage. I hate feeling like a plebe or cattle in an airport…especially when the innocous line of boring banal bags surge out of the luggage carosel……the Junk and Howes with their ugly standard bags all made at the same factory in china…just change the logo…..Never is there a better chance to seperate wheat and chaff …nevermind find your bags faster in the banality of airport travel. Ok cool luggage is dope…I dont think about the price if its beautiful different and I can afford to have the style. Guess some cannot..thank god or we would all look good and then I couldnt find my luggage again…I prefer my vintage 1980s high tech Patagonia orange duffle but this is awesome…a little small for my heavy travelling…but my wife would groove on the standup wardrobe for sure …my back on the otherhand might complain
I for one thinks this luggage looks cheap. The leather has that plastic look to it that says faux and the locks/chrome look tinny. I would look elsewhere at that price point.
@David How does expensive equal beauty, and why would you try to include me in your comment? I actually used to sell classic vintage luggage – all made in the USA. Your ignorance is almost as bad as the last guy’s…
BEWARE of Globe-Trotter luggage.
About a year and a half ago, I received a lovely Globe-Trotter Centenary case from my girlfriend as a Valentine’s Day gift. She also got herself a matching one. On the very first occasion that I used the case, it split wide open. I gave Globe-Trotter the benefit of the doubt that this was a fluke- some sort of manufacturing malfunction- and I contacted the company to see about getting a replacement. It took numerous calls and emails before I even received any response, and when I did, it was entirely unapologetic and unhelpful. Their representative essentially told me that the problem was with the airline’s handling of the bag, since they routinely handle baggage very roughly, and that Globe-Trotter could not offer me any sort of compensation. It took about a dozen emails and threat of legal recourse before I convinced them to give me a replacement case.
Unfortunately, this has not been my only negative experience with Globe-Trotter. My girlfriend’s case has also failed to live up to reasonable expectations as to its durability. Her case got slightly damp from a mild drizzle at JFK in New York a while back. When she opened the case, she discovered that the contents were wet and sticky because the water had reacted to the adhesive used to glue the lining of the case.
Everyone (including, by their own admission, Globe-Trotter) knows airlines handle luggage roughly. Everyone knows that sometimes luggage gets a little bit wet on its way from the plane to the baggage carousel. That is the reason that one pays a premium for luggage that is purported to be strong enough for a one ton elephant to sit on it (according to their website). Most Globe-Trotter cases are too big to carry on to a commercial airplane. They should therefore be built strongly enough to withstand the conditions to which they will be exposed. The fact that the company would try to skate responsibility when a case breaks on its first outing or leaks glue from a light mist is outrageous. I have every confidence that if I had had a similar problem with a Louis Vuitton case (for example), I would have received a new case and an apology post-haste.
Globe-Trotter luggage is unquestionably beautiful and unique, but Globe-Trotter’s craftsmanship and their customer service are both far below acceptable levels for a “luxury†brand. So, if one is going to have a white-gloved porter gingerly place the cases on one’s private jet, then by all means, I can think of no better luggage. For regular travel conditions, Globe-Trotter cases are best used for decorative purposes only.