Get Carried Away.

Be inspired to take off with our selection of bags

WORDS ANNE LOH

COLOUR CAROUSEL

Catherine Manuell created the Catherine Manuell Design (CMD) line of clutches, purses, handbags and luggage eight years ago in response to the lack of fun options available to travellers. We bag her for a chat about her new range.

What inspires your designs?
Usually colour and texture from the many wonderful fabrics that I find each season. I always like to design practical, clean line products that I know will work for both myself and for people I know, and so combining the two elements is the key.

Give us a teaser about your spring/summer collection.
We are featuring over-sized poppies, a new variation on English rose garden prints, bold animal prints, including giraffe and tiger, shiny paisleys, as well as rich reds, cranberry, teal blues and avocado greens in leather-look crocs.

This season, we have luggage in poppies and pink petunias for the very bold, and some classical croc and singletone floral prints for those who want to blend in a little more, while still expressing their stylish flair.

In the eight years you’ve had CMD, have people’s expectations of luggage changed?
When I began making colourful luggage, I made quite a statement with glitters, flowers and patent leathers. I was the only one that I knew of making anything other than black, grey or red luggage. These days, more travellers want stylish luggage and now they know they have a choice – they’re enjoying the chance to purchase travel luggage that’s more individual.

What should we look out for when buying luggage?
You should look for a stylish design that is easily recognisable as your own. It should be well made and not too heavy, with compartments for your needs, and the luggage fabric should reflect your style. It’s amazing how good travelling with beautiful luggage can make you feel when you set off on your journey.

Catherine Manuell Design has stores in Victoria and New South Wales. To locate other stockists, call +61 (3) 9499 9844.

EVERYTHING BUT THE BABY

You can look good lugging baby’s gear around – just check out these cool bub bags. The DwellStudios’ line of travel cases and diaper totes are fun-looking and equipped to do the job well with lots of pockets (from AU$44, tel: 1300 763 126). Dads needn’t feel left out either. Keep your hands free while taking care of the little one with the masculine DadGear backpacks, with changing pad and a nappy hammock for quick retrieval(AU$135, www.metromum.com.au).

HAVE WHEELS WILL TRAVEL

Crumpler’s new line of luggage comes in three sizes and colours and is out this month. With a water-resistant 900D polyester outer shell, neoprene stretch panels, reinforced sidewalls and base, and easy-access side-loading laptop pocket, it’s for today’s savvy flashpacker. The Period Charmer (AU$395) is a carry-on size, The Standing Edwardian (AU$495) is for week-long trips while the largest is The Mock Tudor (AU$595). For stockists call +61 (3) 9372 1204.

STREET SMARTS

Messenger bags just scream urban sophistication. The Beat Poet ones from Fat are 100% brushed cotton, big and slouchy, and available in black and grey (AU$280, tel: +61 (3) 9486 0555). If you want everyone to know where your heart lies, sling on the canary-yellow hard-to-miss Air Wear by Solarek Studio bags with global airport codes (US$37.99, www.solarek.com/airwear).

HANDY BAGS

Whether sightseeing or trawling the boutiques on holiday, a snazzy handbag to carry your essentials is vital. The Rampage brown patent tote at Strandbags (AU$180, tel: +61 (2) 9479 7777) can take you from day to night. The interestingly shaped Taba from Humawaca, made from Argentinean leather, is small enough to be worn on the wrist (AU$295, tel: +61 (8) 9228 3191).

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Bags made from recycled material are now the ultimate fashion accessory. Make a statement with these Todae laptop bags recycled from billboards (AU$179 for the large, tel: 1300 138 483). Haul makes its laptop bags from recycled billboards and messenger bags from recycled truck inner-tubes for “urban cowboys” (from AU$179, tel: +61 (3) 9486 7810).

STAY THE NIGHT

You need an overnight bag that fits your jetset image and nothing says it better than the large black leather carry-all from Politix (AU$399, in Myer nationally). For active women, there’s Lorna Jane’s tough canvas duffel bags (AU$59.99, tel: +61 (7) 3252 5552). Or board the plane with the eye-catching Navy Springtime from Ciao Bella. With double handles and brushed gold hardware, it’s a treat to use (AU$150; www.ciaobellatravel.com.au).