Forty years ago, wheeled luggage - invented by Briggs & Riley - was the newest thing. A couple years ago, checkpoint-friendly luggage was all the rage. It still is, but the emphasis now is on ultra-light, multi-functioning luggage on four-wheel systems and, in many cases, with sleek hard sides, built for durability. ( HP Pavilion DV1000 battery )Other biggies in the travel goods realm right now: Any product that keeps bed bugs at bay, and color, color and more color.
Thousands of travel goods items debuted at the recent Travel Goods Show in Chicago; in fact, some 40,000 products from 2,000 different lines were unveiled by 215 exhibitors representing over 300 brands.
"Function and versatility are the big trends, although they're always part of the travel goods picture," says Michele Marini Pittenger, president of the Travel Goods Association.( Dell Inspiron 1501 AC Adapter) "Manufacturers continue to design and deliver products that make travel more convenient, comfortable, colorful, safe and secure."(Dell Inspiron 1545 AC Adapter )
LUGGAGE-LITE
The scope of choice in lightweight luggage built for smooth maneuverability continues to expand, with hard-sides and four-wheel systems emerging as scene stealers: Antler's Liquis 4-Wheel Roller Case ($399) sports a virgin polycarbonate A-Plus shell for a slick, tough-stuff persona at a svelte 8.4 lbs; the very smart Intus business case with integrated handle scale from the Sirus Collection (starting at $130) by Heys USA, shows off light weight in a flexible and impact-absorbing hard-shell, not to mention intuitive technology to eliminate baggage fees; and Delsey's Helium Breeze 3.0 Carry-On Trolley with EZ Glide 4-Wheel Spinner System ($149.99), a soft-side with fiberglass frame, is light on the scales but heavy on durability.( acer aspire 7535 battery)
In soft-sides and stars in their own right: Ricardo Beverly Hills' Expandable WheelAboard carry-on ($240) from its Superlight Sausalito Collection, its sleek 7.1-pound frame atop four-wheel Glide-LiteTM system reflecting the new norm of the 20-inch case; International Traveller, already known for having the "World's Lightest Collection" lightens things up even more with the introduction of IT-0-1 2nd Generation 4-Wheel, now the "world's lightest spinner" and with retails ranging from $123 to $160; and American Flyer's McCool E2 (Extreme Exploration) bags, backpacks and messengers ($70-$450), channeling James Bond in its rugged ready-for-any-adventure-regardless-of-potential-peril aesthetic.( acer aspire 8930 battery )
COLORS RULE; BLACK DROOLS
Like a gust of spring, color burst across luggage and small leather goods collections, mirroring a welcome optimism in the resurgence of travel. Heys USA talks the talk in personifying its "art of modern luggage" motto through its artist collections featuring the striking pop art of Romero Britto and urban-edged flamboyance of Charles Fazzino, veritable explosions of primaries and pastels and in patterns surging with graphics, florals and cityscapes. ( acer aspire 5730 battery)The four-piece sets, absolute showstoppers in hard-shell and atop four-wheel systems, retail for $1,200 (Britto Garden) and $1,060 (Fazzino).
Also flying their color verve: Italian manufacturer Roncato's UNO Collection ($569-$625), its stunning graphic designs, including Rosso Murales, Nero Rosa and Viola Fiori, capturing the imagination in sleek polycarbonate trolleys and upright cases simply made for bold escapades; Lulu Castagnette by Murval Paris, lustrous in polycarbonate, its Flamenco set, with 22-inch spinner, (sony pcga-bp71 battery )carry-on and beauty case ($269), all sass in a pastel color palette, and Pink Lulu Bear ($289/three-piece set) irresistible in hot pink, orange, red, silver and white; and Olympia, which unleashed the rainbow on its new collections, including Blossom ($399/set), a bouquet of aqua blue, lavender, orange and yellow in polycarbonate on dual spinner wheels.(fujitsu lifebook c2000 battery)
Special kudos to designer Christina DePonte at 24/7 International for her arresting homage to Oleg Cassini in the Wedding Collections, "Bouquet" ($120-$280) and "Tie the Knot" ($200/set), each a classic expression of the "Camelot" look synonymous with First Lady Jackie Kennedy for whom Cassini designed. Encompassing five pieces, "Bouquet" features woven fabric evocative of lace-accented bridal gowns and accented with patent black trim and silver hardware, an elegant "something new" for brides.
In small leather goods, LODIS rolled out collections of clutches, cross-body bags, wallets and wristlets, at once demurely feminine and boldly dramatic: Audrey ($42-$94) in royal and citron; Celestial ($52-$145) in abstract Italian leather and in patterns suggestive of Impressionistic schemes; and Posey ($38-$84), dazzling in guava, lime and sky florals. Belarno performed a color mash-up with its ladies' wallets, clutches and cross-body bags ($55-$155), achieving spot-on panache in hot combos of red, brown, purple, green, blue and black.(dell xps m1210 battery )
"The color explosion began about three to four years ago in the U.S.," says K.U. Chung, sales manager at Belarno. "It is hotter and hotter."
WAGING WAR ON BED BUGS
Several companies had a lock on the gross-out factor, but travelers can rejoice that there may be if not a wiping out of at least a preventative for bringing bed bugs home from travels. RMB Group's Rest Easy ($6.99-$7.99/2-ounce two-pack) is an all-natural spray made from cinnamon, lemongrass, clove and mint essential oils that is both people-safe and earth-friendly and can be sprayed around the hotel room on arrival and on your luggage bed bugs' ticket out. ( dell vostro 1400 battery )Its reusable bed bug bags ($7.99/six) offer even more protection.
"By placing and locking your clothing in these bags before your trip and not putting them in the hotel dresser you avoid one of the simplest means of transferring the pest to your home," says Brian Nachsin of the RMB Group. "Most importantly, all of your worn clothing should be packed into these travel bags as a way of quarantining it.( hp pavilion dv6000 ac adapter )
"The bags can be used anywhere you feel there might be a threat of bed bugs which, based on the news the last couple of years, is just about everywhere we work and play."
Also rolling out preventative bed bug sprays: the patented Stop Bugging Me ($7.99/3-ounce travel size), enough naturally derived spray to treat two queen-size mattresses; and Bed Bug Patrol, which offers Bed Bug Travel & Luggage Spray ($11.85), chemical-free and non-toxic Bed Bug Traps ($19.95/8-pack) and Premium Bed Bug Luggage Protection Covers ($24) that are impermeable to the little buggers.(ibm thinkpad x40 battery)
WHAT'S NEXT?
With some innovations, the future is indeed now.
Getting attention are accessories that incorporate RFID technology to protect personal information stored in the RFID chip on passports and credit cards name, billing ZIP, credit card number/expiration date and other personal data, such as: Pacsafe's RFIDsafe 50 RFID Passport Protector ($14.99); the Shielded SPIbelt ($29.95) the secure and expandable small personal item pouch; Royce Leather Gifts' wallets and passport covers, offered in different styles and colors and ranging in price from $30 to $52; and the drool-inducing, industrial-grade stainless steel men's wallets and women's wallets, clutches and mini messengers from Stewart/Stand, from $59.50 to $700, but these sleek beauties are worth every piece of silver you lay down for one.(dell inspiron 1525 battery )
In luggage, saving space spurred design innovation. Max Mirani's Crush ($395/$22 inches) impressed by doing just that to fit inside a dresser drawer. Its Move ($495) showed off stylish dexterity by doubling as a mobile closet; when you reach your destination, hang, unzip and voila! a "closet" with shoes, shirt, accessories neatly unfolds.(dell latitude d630 battery) Balanzza's TRUCO ($199), the industry's first modular carry-on, reshapes itself to fit allotted space via a click-on system. And Lipault earns high marks for pliability with its Foldable 0% cases ($180-$225) constructed of twill nylon that collapses down to fit inside a space-conserving pouch in colors shouting "Wake-up!"(apple powerbook g3 battery )
TECH-READY EVERYDAY
Two words: iPad case. With ever-increasing emphasis on portability, scads of manufacturers are giving perpetually plugged-in types excellent options for holding and toting iPads, tablets and eReaders, further blurring the lines between travel goods and everyday essentials.(dell 6y270 battery)
"There appears to be no end to the innovation as manufacturers continue to create products specifically designed to make travel less stressful and a lot more fun," says Pittenger, president of the Travel Goods Association.
Upping the fun factor: The graphically dynamic e-Book Wraps ($30) and iPad Wraps ($50) from Hadaki by Kalencom; Piel's exquisitely designed iPad Flip Case ($97) with leather border and openings for plugging in external devices or adapters, which opens to reveal multiple pockets for business cards or papers and transforms into a horizontal or vertical stand for hands-free viewing; Kiva Designs' Microtech Shoulder Bag ($39.95) in graphite, surf and glorious sunfire orange, whose main compartment has a padded pocket sized to fit tablets; and Clava, whose Carina iPad Cover ($67.50) embodies the company's design philosophy of modern simplicity.(dell xps m1530 battery )
"At the very core of the entire collection, are the clean minimalist lines infused to high function," says Clava designer Mia Hur. "Clean lines, reinforced exterior for protection, with a flap that can be used as a kick stand, pulled all the way back and snapped into place for reading, emailing or browsing."(sony vgp-bps9 battery )
Briggs & Riley debuted the compact and lightweight Slide Tech Bag ($129) for iPad, eReader and other electronic devices, designed for on-the-go professionals demanding 24/7 connectivity; Sumdex presented a solution for chronic multi-taskers with its lightweight and portable SpinWork Quick Stand ($49.99), a durable hard plastic case designed to hold an iPad that literally spins for portrait, landscape or any other angle needed, and hangs for hands-free viewing. It fits neatly into the company's classically-styled North-South Business Brief ($129.99), which has a combination computer cradle for a MacBook Pro or the SpinWork and separate section for tablet.(hp pavilion dv4000 battery )
"With smart phones and iPads managing our lives, I almost feel that our travel revolves around our technology," says Chelsea Gosset, creative director at ful, whose Pivot ($40) think enhanced sleeve with greater flexibility for viewing and using tablets tucks neatly into the company's Joint Venture MacBook Messenger with Detachable iPad Case ($69.99).(hp f2024b battery)
LO & Sons, new to the luggage landscape, hit full stride with its T.T. (travel tote, $260) and O.G. (overnight and gym, $295) bags. The bags have padded compartments for both a tablet and a laptop, yet maintain a slim silhouette. More importantly, they are lightweight a design element that was key for company founder Helen Lo, who suffers from a bad back. Even loaded with electronics, travel essentials and personal accessories, the leather accented bags are very heft-manageable because they are made from PVC-free water-resistant nylon with patent-pending internal support strap system.(dell inspiron 1420 battery)
In teched-up bags, Powerbag's Business Class Pack ($179.99) a high-end checkpoint-friendly laptop backpack with a built-in 6000mAh battery for recharging portable electronics was a winner; in fact, it was awarded third place in the Travel Goods Association's Product Innovation Award. The bag, from RFA Brands, features a full-size USB socket, micro- and mini-USB plugs and a 30-pin Apple connector, and carries enough juice to charge a typical cell phone battery four times over.(compaq presario r4000 battery )
And, for those times and travels when you're off the grid, GOAL ZERO offers a solution with its portable solar technology, the Guide 10 Adventure Kit ($139.95/without rechargeable AA batteries; $159.95/with the batteries). Foldable and weather-resistant, it fits in your pocket and functions as a power pack and a battery charger. It solar-charges cell phones in one to two hours, charges AA/AAA batteries in three to five sun hours, and has a built-in LED flashlight that runs nine-plus days per charge.(hp f4098a battery)
(EDITORS: END OPTIONAL TRIM)
COMFORT BABIES
Nemo, Curious George and Buzz Lightyear were among beloved characters appealing to pint-sized travelers in pillows, blankets and lovies sometimes all three together as kids' comfort items took front and center with many exhibitors at the 2011 Travel Goods Show.(sony vgp-bps2 battery)
Lewis & Clark dry-docked Nemo for its line of Li'l Lewis Explorers travel neck pillows. Cabeau put the warm-and-fuzzy in its Travel Blankid ($29.99), a super soft plush animal that transforms into a blanket, travel pillow and backpack, and recognized during the Travel Goods Show with the Buzz Award for creating just that.(dell vostro 1700 battery )
Zoobies' Storytime Pals added literature's most famous monkey to its award-winning lineup with Curious George ($35), now a plush toy, pillow and fleece blanket all-in-one and accompanied by a storybook.
"Even though a Zoobie wasn't directly created with travel in mind, we have found that it is a perfect travel companion," says Zoobies' Sam Allen. "There is a strong trend in the travel goods industry for increasingly convenient products. So many parents and grandparents have told me that a Zoobie took so much hassle out of their travels."(fujitsu lifebook c2330 battery)
With its nesting Cuties and Pals travel duo ($89.99), TrendyKid also gave a nod to making parents' lives easier by pairing a sturdy hard-shell 20-inch wheelie and a 13-inch backpack together. Vacations, daytrips, overnights either or both pieces are up to the job of making it fun and helping kids stay organized.(dell inspiron 6400 ac adapter)
The kid appeal of Trunki ($39.99) by Melissa & Doug is off the charts with these brightly colored ride-on/pull-along lightweight suitcases that were introduced a few years ago. Enhancing the cases are new Saddlebags ($14.99) that kids can drape over their Trunki for additional padding or carry as a shoulder pack. In either case, the saddlebags allow kids to tote more of their must-haves art supplies, picture books, snacks, mad money along on their adventures.(aspire 6930-6809 battery)
And speaking of adventure, Filmdom's most famous Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear, shines on in Disney by Heys' Fiber Optic Rolling Duffels ($110), along with the whole "Toy Story" gang. Other Disney favorites also are featured on these cases flashing with lights.( acer aspire 3000 battery )
next blog: US, Allies Press Libya Attacks
No comments:
Post a Comment