Introducing Olive & Charcoal

The latest release from Globe-Trotter looks to the company archives and the sophisticated minimalism of early 20th century photography and advertisements

In recent collections, Globe-Trotter has embraced its colourful side. The avant-garde GOLF le FLEUR* collection from the mind of American rapper Tyler, the Creator, features a vibrant animal print lining and contrasting coloured-leather corners and straps on a cream vulcanised fibreboard body, reflecting the hip hop star’s eccentric vision. And how could you not be charmed by the Pop Art hues and cartoon stencils of the recent PEANUTS collection featuring the beloved comic-strip characters?

But a series of new colourways launching this summer begins with a timeless olive and charcoal combination, directly inspired by the history of the company through a more muted palette.

For this inaugural release, the Globe-Trotter design team turned to the company archives, scouring through news clippings and adverts dating back over a century and taking inspiration from sepia-toned and black & white imagery. The result is what the brand dubs ‘Sophisticated Minimalism’, with references to early newsprint adverts and photography in shades of olive, black and grey.

The moodboard highlights Globe-Trotter’s early ground-breaking products, including the ‘Cabin Trunk’ and ‘Wardrobe Suitcases’, designed for wealthy passengers during the golden age of travel in the early 20th century. The wording, which centres around the company’s core pillars of innovation and quality materials to create sturdy yet lightweight luggage, are the very same messages communicated today. Famously, for a 1912-13 company catalogue, Globe-Trotter advertised its wares via the now-iconic ‘Elephant Test’ photograph, an experiment staged at the Zoological Gardens in Hamburg using a real one-tonne elephant. For the stunt, the beast was persuaded to stand atop a cabin trunk to test its strength and endurance – with triumphant results. A second experiment-based advert appeared in the same catalogue, this time with five men rather than the elephant perched on top of an empty Globe-Trotter suitcase, which the accompanying text dubbed ‘a marvellous test of strength’.

This has all led to the introduction of Olive & Charcoal, two enchanting new colourways that have been added to Globe-Trotter’s bestselling Centenary Collection. The rich and minimalist olive tone and the refined and versatile charcoal shade are gently contrasted with black leather corners and straps with a choice of polished brass, chrome or black hardware. The collection is available in a full range of luggage (Trolley Case, Check-In, Carry-On and XL Trunk) as well as the brand’s classic accessories, such as a Vanity Case, London Square bag, Slim Attaché and 12-Slot Watch Case, among others. Better still, Globe-Trotter’s latest two-wheel suitcases are fitted with a new, ergonomic, leather-capped trolley handle that features a dynamic side-button mechanism and coordinating leather details. It perfectly encapsulates Globe-Trotter’s timeless appeal and respect for its rich heritage while always keeping one eye on the future.

Globe-Trotter's Business Development Director, James Fisher, commented on the new collection: ‘As in previous new product developments, our design team have gone back to our archives for inspiration for these two new colourways. With the benefit of having some great archival collateral to work with, we identified some strong colours from one of Globe-Trotter’s many adverts from the 1950s and the sepia tinted colours such as olive and charcoal have manifested themselves in this new collection.’ 

Discover the Olive & Charcoal collection online and at Globe-Trotter Flagship stores.