French luggage and travel accessories manufacturer Delsey introduced a new “˜soft’ collection at last month’s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, following a ten-year absence from the show.
A variation of the brand’s bestselling Chatelet range, Chatelet Soft + is said to offer “unmistakable French design” through a combination of practicality and sophistication. The range will be available in the coming months.
Delsey Design Director Albert Engler said: “Delsey is an iconic French brand; innovative, bold and, above all, decidedly Parisian. The Chatelet Soft + collection reflects the particular aesthetic of the mouldings and structure of classic Parisian apartments.”
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Delsey’s new Chatelet Soft + collection marks the French brand’s “rebirth” in travel retail | |
Highlights of the new collection include a button operated braking system, which is said to guarantee stability and “unparalleled” user comfort, and four double wheels to provide better rotation and stability. The wider, more rectangular trolley case is designed to be more manageable, while internal storage is built to minimise movement of personal items inside the luggage during travel.
Highlighted at Cannes were the Chatelet Soft + Toiletry bag (£49), Travel Bag (£149) and Cabin Trolley (£225).
Speaking to The Moodie Report at the TFWA World Exhibition, Delsey Marketing Director Catherine De Bleeker said the French company’s reappearance at the event was part of its “rebirth in travel retail”.
“Delsey’s DNA is design and innovation. During the past five or six years Delsy has concentrated on product and consumer research. The brand has returned to its French roots and feels now it has the products suited for travel retail,” she said.
Delsey products, De Bleeker noted, are functional and good looking. “Other key features of our new luggage include lightness, security and removable linings. Here, our customer research has played an important part in the development of new lines.”
The Middle East remains a strong market for Delsey while Europe and the USA are “steady” and Asia is “booming”. De Bleeker said Delsey was looking to strengthen relationships with retailers in travel retail.
“Delsey aims to be more visible in travel retail. There are many luggage brands in travel retail and there are not a lot of leaders,” De Bleeker concluded.
