Globe-Trotter
Founded In
1897 by David Nelkin in Saxony, Germany (Nelkin moved it to London in 1901)
First Product
Brown steamer trunks
Carried By
Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Sir Edmund Hillary (who took his pieces up Mount Everest)
Today
Famed for seductively colorful trunks and cases made of Vulcan Fibre, leather, and ash-wood frames
Goyard
Founded In
1853 by François Goyard in Paris
First Product
The Courrier trunk
Carried By
Pablo Picasso, Elsa Schiaparelli, Gregory Peck, Gary Cooper, Edith Piaf
Today
The subtle chevron pattern on coated canvas is more coveted than ever.
Hartmann
Founded In
1877 by Joseph S. Hartmann in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
First Product
Large leather- covered wooden trunks used during travels by ship and train
Carried By
Babe Ruth, Jimmy Stewart, and presidents Cleveland, Johnson, and Bush Sr.
Today
Has frequently collaborated with fashion designers, among them Halston, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Lambertson Truex
Longchamp
Founded In
1948 by Jean Cassegrain in Paris
First Product
Pipes covered with leather; signature lambskin travel bags were introduced in the sixties.
Carried By
Uma Thurman, Isabella Rossellini, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin
Today
The ever-appropriate nylon-and-leather-handled Pliage tote is ubiquitous.
Louis Vuitton
Founded In
1854 by Louis Vuitton in Paris
First Product
A coated canvas trunk with iron banding, black lacquered metal corners, and wood lathes
Carried By
Charles Lindbergh, Douglas Fairbanks, Ginger Rogers, Cary Grant, Scarlett Johansson, Gwen Stefani, Cameron Diaz
Today
The classic monogram, plus collaborations with designers such as Takashi Murakami and up next, Philippe Starck
Prada
Founded In
1913 by Mario Prada—Miuccia's grandfather—in Milan
First Product
Luggage, including a walrus-skin suitcase
Carried By
The Italian royal household, the Savoys
Today
The virtually indestructible nylon pieces are favorites of the fashion set.
Schedoni
Founded In
1880 by Chelso Schedoni in Formigine, Italy
First Product
Shoes; small leather goods introduced in the seventies by the founder's grandson, Mauro Schedoni
Carried By
Pope John Paul II
Today
Schedoni's line of leather goods includes women's handbags and custom luggage to coordinate with each model of Ferrari.
T. Anthony
Founded By
1946 by Anthony Froitzheim in New York
First Product
Hard, long-bound luggage, crafted with canvas over a hardwood frame
Carried By
Marilyn Monroe, Jacqueline Onassis, Richard Nixon, Elton John
Today
The richly colored canvas totes and duffels are popular weekend travel bags for places from the Cotswolds to the Hamptons.
Tanner Krolle
Founded In
1856 by master saddlemaker Frederick Krolle in London
First Product
Lid Over Body suitcase, still available via bespoke service
Carried By
Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales, Sienna Miller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hugh Grant
Today
Beloved for its use of luxe materials, including English bridle leather
Valextra
Founded In
1937 by Giovanni Fontana in Milan
First Product
Wallets and other small leather goods
Carried By
Maria Callas, Aristotle Onassis
Today
Known for custom-made exotic-leather cases, it has introduced a line of soft-leather goods that can be rolled up.