Hot to Trot

England's most sought-after luggage brand arrives stateside

December 11, 2006—Globe-Trotter has been the luggage of choice for British icons both old (Winston Churchill) and new (Kate Moss, Daniel Craig), yet like a lot of amazing things, it hasn't been available in the U.S. That changes this week, as the brand goes on sale in a few New York shops for the first time in its 109-year history. What's the big deal? Old-school craftsmanship, for one thing: Each piece is handcrafted using original Victorian machinery at the company's factory in Hertfordshire. For another, the luggage is made from a patented material called "Vulcan Fibre," which is lighter than aluminum and a lot more durable than leather. (It's not unlike a superstrong breed of cardboard, which explains the name.) To help commemorate its American debut, the company has created a special "Union Jack" edition—it comes with kitschy Statue of Liberty–themed vinyl luggage stickers. We recommend the traditional line of classically styled suitcases (above) instead, but you'll want to act quickly. The company is rolling out its wares gradually and in limited numbers. "The U.S. is a very big country," explains Globe-Trotter rep Gary Bott. "If we build too much demand, we'll be in a position where we won't be able to supply it all." Something tells us it may already be too late.
Globe-Trotter luggage starts at $750. Available at Barneys New York, (212) 826-8900, www.barneys.com; Moss, (866) 888-6677, www.mossonline.com; and the Conran Shop, (866) 755 9079, www.conranusa.com.