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FashionTravel

by Alexandra Mansilla

The Suitcase Timeline — What We Have Chased, When, and Why

3 Jul 2025

Picture an airport, a train station, the start of a trip — what comes to mind first? A suitcase. But not just any suitcase — most likely, you are picturing a specific one. That is no accident. Luggage brands put a lot of effort into making sure their suitcase is the one you imagine.
Of course, these brands have changed over time. Some have gone through wild popularity and had everyone’s attention; others faded quietly into the background; and a few became classics — forever steady, always quietly in demand. At some point, we started to wonder: what are these brands, and how did our obsession shift from one name to another over the years?

Let’s start with the basics: Globe-Trotter (the suitcase that survived an elephant)

Back in 1897, the UK saw the birth of a brand that would completely change the way we think about luggage. Globe-Trotter was the first to come up with a hard-sided suitcase made from vulcanised fiberboard — a material made from paper, cotton, and wood pulp, all layered up and pressed together. It was a seriously bold innovation.
Their now-legendary ad campaign — known as the Elephant Test — was staged at the Zoological Garden of Hamburg. Long before “viral marketing” was a thing, Globe-Trotter brought in a real elephant for photos and film, just to prove their suitcase was truly unbreakable.
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Source: globe-trotter.com

Globe-Trotter quickly became the luggage of choice for aristocrats, army officers, and even the British royal family. To this day, their suitcases are still handmade in England, using nearly the same techniques as a century ago. Collectors and design lovers remain obsessed.

What we were obsessed with not so long ago

Samsonite
Founded in Denver back in 1910, Samsonite quickly earned a reputation as the go-to brand for luggage that lasts forever. The very first Samsonite suitcase was made of wood, but by the 1950s, the brand had become famous for lightweight yet incredibly sturdy plastic and fabric models — bags tough enough to survive dozens of flights and brutal baggage carousels.
We definitely remember the Samsonite craze about ten years ago — everyone wanted to have one. And ever since then, Samsonite has stayed the gold standard for travel suitcases.
Tumi
Arriving on the scene in the US in 1975, Tumi instantly became a symbol of a new generation of business travellers. The brand was the first to introduce ballistic nylon — a material literally invented for bulletproof vests. That made Tumi’s bags and suitcases practically indestructible, even under the harshest conditions. Clean lines, minimalist black, perfect compartments for laptops, documents, and gadgets — everything about Tumi was built for comfort and business-class style.
We are sure you remember — and still spot — people rolling those suitcases with the diagonal stripes around airports today.
American Tourister
American Tourister launched back in 1933 as a more affordable alternative to the pricier luggage brands, and quickly became known as the “family suitcase.” They went all in on tough plastic shells, fun colours, and prices that didn’t break the bank. The vibe was always a simple, friendly design, with plenty of limited editions for kids and teens.
At some point, you’d see American Tourister suitcases in pretty much every airport. They became the go-to for vacations, family trips, getaways with kids, or just anyone wanting to mix up their style for a change.
Louis Vuitton
The iconic brown-and-beige LV suitcases — known as the Monogram Canvas — have become a global symbol of luxury. Whenever you saw someone travelling with more than one of these, you couldn’t help but do the math in your head and wonder just how much all that luggage cost.
Not everyone was chasing after these cases — some people just aren’t into a suitcase covered in logos — but there is no denying they became a true trend.

What are we into now?

Rimowa
These are the kind of suitcases people actually dream about. The German brand Rimowa (founded in 1898 in Cologne by Paul Morszeck) was long a niche favourite among aesthetes, but everything changed in the 21st century. Their signature grooved aluminium and polycarbonate suitcases have become icons of modern travel style: minimalist, endlessly reliable, practical, and instantly recognisable.
A Rimowa is the kind of suitcase you can spot from across the baggage carousel — the kind that always shows up in travel photos on Instagram, and a true status symbol for everyone from young creatives to seasoned business travellers.
And just recently, they dropped a new colour — the Original Bronze, available in three sizes: Cabin, Check-in L, and Trunk Plus. Looks like Rimowa is doing everything they can to keep us all dreaming (and dreaming some more) about their suitcases.
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Horizn Studios
A Berlin startup that set out to create luggage for the digital generation.
Horizn Studios makes smart suitcases with built-in power banks, USB ports, trackers, and ball-bearing wheels. Their focus is all about innovation and sustainability: the shells are made from recycled polycarbonate, the packaging is biodegradable, and there is even a vegan line (completely free from animal materials).
Who are these suitcases perfect for? Definitely digital nomads (and there are a lot of them these days) — the ones always hopping from country to country — and honestly, just for anyone who values mobility, cool gadgets, and a clean, minimalist design.
Carl Friedrik
You have definitely seen these suitcases before — with their smooth shell, crisp rectangular shape, distinctive leather stripe across the body, leather handles, and metal trim — in airports (and maybe you even have one yourself).
These are Carl Friedrik suitcases, a brand born in London and founded in 2012 by two brothers from Sweden, that has become the definition of understated luxury.
Carl Friedrik focuses on clean lines, premium materials (Italian leather, anodised aluminium, modern textiles), and maximum usability. Their suitcases feature thoughtfully designed compartments, silent Japanese wheels, incredible lightness, and that unmistakable minimalist style with the signature leather stripe on the shell.
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Instagram: @carlfriedrik

Paravel
First of all, these guys made a bold statement: a suitcase can actually be sustainable. For their collections, they use recycled plastic bottles and organic cotton, and all their packaging is completely biodegradable.
Second, their suitcases feature vintage-inspired designs that really catch the eye, like a throwback to the golden age of travel you usually only see in old movies. That timeless look is a big part of the appeal for many people.
Victorinox
Victorinox has long been known for its legendary Swiss Army knives, which they have been making in Switzerland since 1884. Over a century later, in 1986, the company launched its first line of luggage, bringing that same commitment to durability, smart design, and Swiss precision to the world of travel.
Remember those suitcases with the distinctive T-shaped handle? That was Victorinox.