Globe-Trotter designer Charlotte Seddon speaks about the process of design, her inspirations and the brand's 120-year-old heritage
Image: Globe-Trotter (Andrew Hobbs)
Q. Globe-Trotter’s latest collection has an old suitcase at the heart of it. How did it come about?
The story started when I discovered a vintage case in our archives. We have an array of cases from the past 120 years, but when I opened this particular one, I was amazed and excited to see a beautiful montage of travel stickers covering the entire inside of the lid. This was my starting point, my mood board and inspiration for the SS17 collection.
The next step was to find out who the case belonged to. We traced it back to the British Airways Heritage Museum, with whom we have a long-standing relationship, and arranged a visit. This further inspired the collection as it highlighted the history and development of commercial aviation through the ages and provided a link to the original owner—a BOAC air stewardess called Hilary Farish—who had flown with the airline in the 1960s.
Q. What was the most challenging part of bringing this collection to life?
It was possibly the process of applying the narrative of Hilary’s experiences in the collection. I was nervous whether my interpretation of her stories would be communicated through designs, and if I had executed it well enough. The project meant a lot to me and I wanted her blessing and approval. This collection was also our debut presentation at London Fashion Week, so it had to be extra special.
Q. What does Globe-Trotter luggage mean to you in terms of design?
It means so many things, but mostly it comes down to its English manufacturing and provenance. All Globe-Trotter products are made in a factory in Hertfordshire by skilled craftsmen, and especially in today’s industry, I think that is special. Also, the cases look so iconic in style that they have a ‘wow’ factor. They carry a traditional look of design, yet remain modern and unique—they are classic and timeless. Most of all, they epitomise the glamour of travel.
(This story appears in the 23 June, 2017 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)