Refined travel meets Filipino elegance

Have you ever experienced inconvenience during travel? A broken piece of luggage, perhaps?

Traveling is not always easy, but the first line of defense against stress is having travel essentials that go beyond the standard — adapting to modern needs and innovation while maintaining durability.

Samsonite, the global leader in premium travel bags, luggage and accessories, marks a new milestone in its 115-year journey with the opening of the latest standalone Samsonite Black Label store in the Philippines, located at The Shoppes at Solaire.

Launched in 2005, Samsonite Black Label reemphasized the brand’s commitment to style and refinement. This luxurious collection of craftsman-made bags and cases is designed for today’s modern travelers, striking a perfect balance of design, technology, and aspiration across three key areas: Retro & Classic, Fashion-forward and Business.

Unlike the brand’s other concept stores in the country, the new boutique offers a dedicated space for its most exclusive and refined travel collections, introducing a globally recognized line that fuses design innovation with luxury craftsmanship.

“Samsonite has always been known as a premium brand. But the Black Label store, particularly this concept, elevates that a bit more. The store presents more intricate, more sophisticated lines that cater to frequent and business travelers,” said Michael Corpuz, Samsonite Philippines country manager.

Designed with a clean, modern and minimalist aesthetic, the store aims to highlight the products in a refined setting — creating an environment where customers can explore premium travel essentials without the distraction of overly decorated interiors.

According to Corpuz, Samsonite Black Label offers enhanced features beyond the standard Samsonite line. These include innovations such as Aero-Trac suspension wheels and integrated technology, combining convenience and durability in one

Signature collections for modern jetsetters

The boutique’s curated selection should appeal to travelers who value both timeless elegance and technical performance.

The Streamlite pays homage to vintage travel charm while integrating modern features. It boasts of classic styling, a TSA frame lock with one-touch control, Aero-Trac Whirl Suspension Wheels and thoughtful extras such as jacquard packing cubes, a leather luggage tag and a personalization tag.

The Richmond II is an upgraded version of a brand favorite, now with a durable polycarbonate shell, fresh diagonal groove detailing anti-theft zippers and contrast trim. Enhanced with Aero-Trac II wheels, it also includes a shoe pouch and a garment sleeve.

The Lite-Box is ideal for those who prioritize lightweight strength. Built with a durable Curv shell and reinforced corners, it features a premium soft-touch interior, double wheels and a TSA lock — all in a sleek, eye-catching design.

The Proxis, designed for frequent flyers, features Roxkin — a resilient, ultra-light proprietary material that bounces back into shape. It includes smooth double wheels, hidden expandability, a USB port for cabin sizes and a monogrammable tag — all within a spacious, organized interior.

What sets the Black Label concept apart from others in the industry — and from other Samsonite lines — is its inclusion of garment suiters, shoe pouches and internal dividers, elevating the overall travel experience.

“Streamlite was able to offer a timeless design adapted for the current generation by bridging classic aesthetics with a modern touch,” Corpuz added. “That’s how we’ve evolved over the years.”

Legacy of sustainability and innovation

Beyond innovation, design and quality, Samsonite also champions sustainability.

“Most of the lines actually incorporate recycled materials. Some luggage use up to 60 percent recycled content, not necessarily from old luggage alone, but we make it a point to recycle components from older pieces to create new ones,” Corpuz explained.

Samsonite Black Label has also teamed up with renowned fashion and industrial designers to redefine high-end travel. Collaborations include Marc Newson’s futuristic Scope series (2005), Matthew Williamson’s limited edition Signat attaché (2006) and Alexander McQueen’s avant-garde collection (2007). Later partnerships featured Swarovski-studded trunks, Viktor & Rolf’s whimsical designs and a fusion of luxury and engineering with McLaren Formula 1 (2009–2010).

“This opening represents more than just a retail expansion — it’s a statement of our commitment to bring the world-class luxury and innovation of Samsonite Black Label to discerning Filipino travelers,” said Anton Huang, president and CEO of SSI Group, Inc. “Through this new space, we’re proud to offer local customers access to Samsonite’s most premium collections, where heritage, craftsmanship and cutting-edge design come together.”