Born To Be Wild

Globe-Trotter’s London Fashion Week presentation took guests to the heart of Africa.

Fashion lovers from all over the world flocked to the British capital for London Fashion Week, a whirlwind of stylish soirées, catwalk shows and new season presentations. For Globe-Trotter, it was a chance to unveil its spring/summer 18 collection, which reintroduces the Safari collection as well as revealing a brand new colour-way.

The Safari collection is one of the brand’s oldest and most recognisable suitcase styles. By updating the range for this season, it made sense to put on a show with a suitably exotic theme, one inspired by the vibrant and endless plains of Africa.

The presentation took place at the Leica Store in Mayfair, and the African theme was already hinted at before guests took a step inside, with a Land Rover 4x4 etched with vintage Globe-Trotter logos parked outside the gallery. Globe-Trotter recently collaborated with Leica, the prestigious photography brand, on a limited-edition leather camera case, which was also on display at the presentation.

Bringing the safari and photography themes full circle was an exclusive exhibition of the work of photographer and filmmaker Adrian Steirn, who has spent the past decade documenting people, places and wildlife across Africa. His striking images lined the gallery walls and were shown on a projector as VIP guests milled around the room, sipping on G&Ts – the favourite tipple of old-school explorers. The suitcases and leather accessories were dotted around the space in stacks and draped in traditional African fabrics and jewellery.

The new addition to the collection is the Masai Red case, in a striking combination of ivory and scarlet and an with even more eye-catching inner lining made from shuka cloth, which was sourced directly from Kenya.

‘I looked at Kenya’s Masai people, at their identity, culture and the way they behave and dress,’ says Globe-Trotter designer Charlotte Seddon. ‘The shuka is the main item of clothing they wear, in different kinds of colours and patterns, and is draped around the body. It was amazing to be able to put this material inside the case as a lining.’

‘The new collection for SS18 is inspired by travel, which is something Globe-Trotter has been inspired by right from the start,’ she adds.

The Masai Red case won’t be available until February 2018, but the new season presentation certainly inspired a serious case of wanderlust.