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I’ll let you in one a small unspoken rule in the fashion industry: when travelling, editors are expected to arrive at their destinations looking pretty put together. Yes, that in-transit, off-duty look needs to be modern and sleek, one worthy of meeting the well-suited doorman at the fancy hotel, or the publicist of a luxury Maison. Indeed, this is one mighty feat if you are an Australian travelling 30 hours to Europe.
Recently, I visited Versailles to attend ELLE’s annual international conference. Fifty editors from as many countries converged at the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel to share ideas, updates, and many glasses of champagne. Needless to say, the aforementioned rule applied in spades. I’d be checking into the hotel alongside other editors and VIPs, I mused. And as I’m a new editor, this moment would become my first impression. Fumble that with tired eyes and a crumpled outfit and, well, I wouldn’t feel so good.
For the journey, I took Samonsite’s new C-Lite 55cm Carry-On in a chili red colourway. Samsonite for many years has been my preferred luggage brand because it’s so light, albeit durable. It’s shock-absorbing, self-reinforced exterior ensures it looks shiny and new atop your destination’s luggage belt despite being beaten and battered between airplanes, taxi boots and the cobbled pathways of French neighbourhoods.
What many people may be surprised to hear is I managed to fit two (very heavy) Rabanne dresses, one pair of heels, three Chanel bags and a change of clothes into this carry-on. The case itself weighs 2.1 kilograms – a fever dream for a girl like me. I have lost my luggage one too many times and now always travel with my event outfits on me. That inner urge to want to look the part even if your itinerary goes belly-up is always front of mind when I’m packing.
A quick shower and change in Dubai gave way to a comfortable second flight to Paris. Upon arriving, I changed into jeans, a Camilla and Marc lace overlay and summer heels. The red case really popped against my outfit—and, as you will soon discover on September 8, matched our new cover. My days in Versailles were spent presenting my vision for the future of ELLE Australia followed by travelling to Paris for Haute Couture Fashion Week.
SHOP THE NEW SAMSONITE C-LITE CARRY ON, 55CM, IN CHILI RED, $749 NOW.
Crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles, the Samsonite C-Lite is available in four sizes, and three exterior colours or design options, ensuring the range suits a wide variety of tastes and preferences. In fact, it married fashion with function so well, I even took it to a Celine re-see (Michael Ryder’s debut collection was so compelling and colourful!) on my last day in Paris before jumping into a taxi to the airport. Very on trend, indeed.
Like the popular adage goes, “dress for the part you want”, and professional presentation will forever remain important, at least to me. And with a good-looking, lightweight companion, you’ve got this whole first impression thing in the bag.
The post Modern Travel: The Important Part About Looking The Part appeared first on ELLE.
