Frequent fliers will know that having the right luggage by your side makes all the difference. A new accessories label, Custom House International, is making such a play with a concisely designed line of soft luggage, ranging from backpacks and totes to briefcases and duffle bags, to suit those who take comfort in travelling light.
Conceived in New York by former Roll & Hill co-owner Andrew Yang, Custom House International’s wares are proudly made in the United States. Its first collection draws inspiration from the hometown architect Wallace K Harrison (famed for iconic structures such as the Metropolitan Opera House and the Time-Life Building) and the International Style of architecture, plus the Bund in Shanghai, of which Yang was a former resident. Made from Cordura, a military-grade fabric that is water-resistant, stain-resistant and wrinkle-proof, the label’s wares are designed especially with lightness and portability in mind.
‘For years, I’ve searched for bags that didn’t make me look like a messenger man, or made it look like I was going camping,’ says Yang. ‘The way we travel is so different. Very few bags can look right going from a business meeting to dinner and then to the airport.’
Classic in shape, the bags each boast added functionality in compartments that separate journals, books and documents from more regularly needed bits and pieces (as in its 'Kirkman' briefcase), or carefully considered proportions that allow for two stacks of clothes, two pairs of shoes and toiletries to be packed efficiently (its 'Kirkman' valise).
The collection currently offers a tote, briefcase, valise in two sizes and a duffle bag, with a backpack to come in April. All of the top-handled designs can be quickly converted to sling styles with the addition of a leather strap.
Its first collection draws inspiration from architect Wallace K Harrison and the International Style of architecture, plus the Bund in Shanghai. Pictured: the 'Custom House' tote
The roomy 'Custom House' tote boasts a thick molded zipper that fully separates and opens the bag, like a jacket. When zipped closed, this tote lives comfortably in the overhead bin of an airline cabin
Made from Cordura, a military-grade fabric that is water-resistant, stain-resistant and wrinkle-proof, the label’s wares are designed with lightness and portability in mind. Pictured: the 'Kirkman' valise in medium
All of the top-handled designs can be quickly converted to sling styles with the addition of a leather strap (pictured)
Classic in shape, the bags each boast added functionality in compartments that separate journals, books and documents from more regularly needed bits and pieces. Pictured: the 'Kirkman' valise in small
INFORMATION
From $135–$425. For more details, visit Custom House International’s website
-
Curtains up, Kid Harpoon rethinks the sound of Broadway production ‘Art’He’s crafted hits with Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus; now songwriter and producer Kid Harpoon (aka Tom Hull) tells us about composing the music for the new, all-star Broadway revival of Yasmina Reza’s play ‘Art’
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekHere in the UK, summer seems to be fading fast. Moody skies and showers called for early-autumn rituals for the Wallpaper* team: retreating into the depths of the Tate Modern, slipping into shadowy cocktail bars, and curling up with a good book
-
To celebrate 50 years in business, Giorgio Armani is opening up his extraordinary archive to everybodyLaunched at the Venice Film Festival, Armani/Archivio is a digital archive charting 50 years of Giorgio Armani through the house’s most memorable designs
-
Javier's, a new cathedral-inspired restaurant in downtown LA, offers a divine take on Mexican cuisineAt the restaurant's newest location, discovery lies around every corner – and on every plate
-
Why everyone in LA is talking about Café TondoHelmed by chef Valeria Velásquez and designed by Aunt Studio, this new spot delivers Latin American buzz all day long
-
Size doesn’t matter at Now Now, a micro-hotel for solo travellers in New YorkCan you pack style into 32 square feet? We find out
-
At this LA dining hotspot, go Spanish or Japanese as you pleaseA dual-concept dining destination designed by the Rockwell Group brings Mediterranean warmth and Japanese precision to Century City
-
The Benjamin’s chic new upstairs bar is Hollywood’s hottest hideawayAt Bar Benjamin, speakeasy mystique meets elevated snacks, cocktails and views
-
The best New York rooftop bars that go above and beyondFrom the West Side to Williamsburg, these are the very best watering holes for good booze, stylish patios and even better views
-
The best spas in Upstate New York to decompress in styleFrom sprawling sanctuaries to sleek, small-scale sanctums, these are the best spots to hit reset
-
More is more at Bar Issi, a maximalist new dining destination in Palm SpringsFettle studio fuses eco-conscious materials with bold design gestures in this playful space inside the new Thompson Hotel
