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Marcello Bottoli, President and CEO of Samsonite |
US/ITALY. Samsonite Black Label unveiled its first collection of soft weekend bags during a major catwalk preview of the luxury luggage brand’s 2008 collections in Milan, hosted by Samsonite CEO Marcello Bottoli and Creative Director Quentin Mackay.
In addition to showcasing the Samsonite Black Label Weekend Collections targeted at travellers going on short vacations, the company also announced that the model Milla Jovovich will be the new face of Samsonite Black Label next year (see below for full product launch details).
The Milan event featuring Samsonite’s premium collections followed the recent takeover of Samsonite Corporation by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners. The deal, which closed this month, values the Samsonite group at approximately US$1.7 billion. The group also includes the business travel brand Samsonite and the mass-market American Tourister range.
The selective-distribution Samsonite Black Label collections are aimed at the top 20% of the world’s population in the 30-55 age group. Price points for Samsonite Black Label bags range from €350 to €1,300.
The brand strategy is to continue opening directly operated stores in major cities (14 are currently trading) as well as travel retail and speciality shops, and fashion and design boutiques.
Group plans call for 250 stores, up from the current 160, according to Samsonite EMEA President Arne Borrey. Regions targeted for growth include Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey.
SAMSONITE BLACK LABEL WEEKEND COLLECTIONS
The new Weekend collections comprise five main lines, with an emphasis on innovations, such as bags that can be packed flat. The bags are aimed at the global trend for taking short weekend breaks, rather than long trips, according to the company.
Resort: A collection of modern interpretations of classic luxury leather bags, with contemporary functionality. Availability: Late 2007 through to spring 2008. Colours: black, brown, red and silver.
Resort Signature: Takes the iconic Resort design and adds the Samsonite house monogram print on canvas, with leather detailing. Available spring 2008. Colours: black and grey, cream jacquard and tan.
Concertine: A unisex collection of collapsible and packable bags. Available Spring 2008. Colours include multi-coloured, patent red, ecru and brown.
Waifer: A contemporary and luxurious leather re-interpretation of the messenger bag, designed to be packed totally flat. Available spring 2008. Colours: brown, ecru.
Bayamo: A classic collection of business and weekend pieces for men, said to be inspired by the way nature crafts sand and rock. It includes high-end leather and saddle stitching, and is complemented by the use of silver coloured metal pieces. Available spring 2008. Colours: black, tan.
2008 SAMSONITE BLACK LABEL COLLECTIONS
Samsonite Black Label has extended its main line collections, including new items created by the UK fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Samsonite Black Label by Alexander McQueen: This season will see the launch of new styles, such as an overnight bag, computer, cosmetic pouch and messenger bags, and a 75cm four-wheel spinner. The collection will also launch a range of new colours and textures for the season such as ostrich and brown. Availability: Late 2007 through to spring 2008. Colours: cream, black, brown.
Sevruga: Designed by Aquadynamics, which takes its cues from the power and motion of aquatic creatures such as the Sevruga sturgeon, the stingray and the shark, the business collection combines the latest innovative mechanics and high-performance materials, such as moulded EVA panelling and armoured nylon. Business functionality includes a swivelling telescopic monotube handle and anti-wobble smart sleeve. Available spring 2008. Colour: black.
Samsonite Black Label Ultimate Travel Shoe Collection: Designed by Samsonite Creative Director Quentin Mackay together with leading Italian shoe designer Alberto del Biondi, the spring/summer 2008 collection uses ‘Samsonite Adapt Technology’. The collection blends the benefits of trainers with smart leather shoes, and can expand with the wearer’s feet.
Vintage: The premium Vintage Black Label collection, inspired by the 1930s and 1940s, combines sleek modern styles, fine detailing, authentic touches of yesterday, vivid colours and glamorous options. The collection is now available in this season’s on trend colours of purple and grey. Available from this month.
Trunk: A limited-edition re-issue of the iconic pieces from the 1920s and ’30s. Made by hand, with only 2,500 pieces worldwide, each piece is hand-finished with ornate metal components, all fusing old and new design together. The interior print is a rework of the original lining – a geometric kaleidoscope print re-invented in the signature Samsonite Black Label colours of black and orange. The Original Trunk is an updated re-edition. The collection also spans modern, upright pieces with wheels, a beauty case and briefcase. Available spring 2008. Colours: black, cream.
X’Lite: Claimed to be the lightest and strongest Samsonite ever, the collection uses an exclusive new composite called Curv, inspired by technologies used in powerboat design. The CURV material enables X’Lite to deliver high-impact strength, performance and resistance in a lightweight and luxurious finish. The patented process features a woven polycarbonate to produce a reinforced material with stiffness, strength and high resistance to impact, even at very low temperatures. The X’Lite collection is now available in a gold finish. Available winter 2007. Colours: black, grey, gold.
Couture: The new Couture collection offers sophisticated travellers the opportunity to create their own set of travel pieces choosing from a combination of bold colours, patterns, prints and soft luxurious leathers and exotic skins. Available now exclusively in Samsonite Black Label Stores throughout Europe.
Samsonite Black Label Accessories Collections: A range of individual accessory pieces that complete the travel experience. The collections feature beautifully designed exteriors, rich materials and luxurious details. New additions to the accessories collections are Resort, Bayamo and Vintage. Available spring 2008.
Samsonite Black Label in travel retail
Samsonite Black Label has domestic stores in top fashion locations, including London, Berlin, Brussels, Moscow, Madrid, Seoul, Singapore, Kuwait City, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Dubai.
The company also has a growing presence in airports, particularly in Europe, but also in the Americas and China.
Forthcoming travel retail openings will include the Harrods store at London Heathrow Terminal 4 from December 2007, Vancouver at the Downtown Duty Free Store from January 2008, and Madrid T1 in the main fashion area, which begins trading in February 2008.
Samsonite Black Label’s existing travel retail locations include:
Freestanding boutiques:
– Milan Malpensa (T1, Schengen)
– Guangzhou (Level 3, Departures Hall)
– Vienna (Non Schengen)
– Istanbul Ataturk (Main Transit Area)
– Hamburg (Airside Shopping Plaza).
Shop-in-shops/corners:
– Rome Fiumicino (Dufry Fashion Store, Non Schengen)
– Frankfurt (T1, operated by Hillen)
– Madrid (T4 and T4 Satellite, with Aldeasa)
– Brussels (Terminal B, Non-Schengen, Brussels Sky Shops)
– New York JFK (T4, main duty free shopping area, ARI Sardana)
– Moscow Sheremetyevo (T1 C, general merchandise store, Dufry)
– Mexico City (Dufry).
Updating The Moodie Report on an upcoming product launch aimed squarely at the travel retail market, Samsonite Black Label will introduce a collection of small accessories from January 2008, including passport holders, plug adaptors and neck pillows, said Director Duty Free & Travel Retail Gerard Murray.
For details contact Gerard Murray, Director Duty Free & Travel Retail, Samsonite Europe NV, Westerring 17,
9700 Oudenaarde, Belgium; tel: +32 55 333350. Visit www.samsoniteblacklabel.com
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