In this series, I want to offer some small insights into the things I carry with me on every trip. Think of it as a GQ “10 Essentials” excerpt — although keeping it under ten may prove a challenge. Nevertheless, let’s go through them and see how this goes.
1. FPM Milano
No trip can begin without luggage to carry all my overpacking. While I feel luggage is often overlooked as an unnecessary cost, I’d argue it’s one of the most important investments you can make - and I think now, more than ever, the general traveller is paying closer attention to that fact. Of course, spending thousands on luggage when you only travel a handful of times a year is probably unwise, particularly as quality in the luxury luggage space comes at a hefty premium. But if, like me, you’re averaging a flight a week, I’d implore you to re-evaluate your luggage situation.
With many luxury items, luggage is a purchase made with future value in mind. There’s no shortage of suppliers who can do the functional job of carrying your clothes, shoes, and whatever else you pack for your getaways with ease. But the truly premium brands outlive the rest - luggage that stays with you for life. That’s why I gravitate toward the hardsided aluminium cases from FPM Milano. Metal luggage patinas with age, gaining character and collecting battle scars across the world in a way soft-sided bags simply can’t. I like to call it “the Italian Rimowa,” though the quality is, in my view, significantly better. I do love Rimowa and the style of their Classic line, but as with many heritage brands acquired by a conglomerate - LVMH, in this case - quality inevitably slips while prices soar. Rimowa has been thoroughly subjected to that recipe; FPM has not. I’ve never enjoyed owning the same thing as everyone else, whether it’s watches, cars, shoes, or in this case luggage - which is part of why I’m so drawn to a brand with the build quality of a tank but the refined details of a 1920s travel trunk: leather accents, solid billet buckles, and traditional clasps.
Don’t get me wrong, Rimowa is a fantastic brand - but one that’s become too much of a symbol of consumerism for my taste. It’s a direct parallel to the Birkin and Kelly: those who buy them new tend to pay less attention to the craftsmanship and more to the status symbol. The secret with Hermès is to seek out the lesser-known designs, the ones that actually set you apart from the crowd. I still think there’s real value in pre-LVMH Rimowas if you can find them without a heavy markup - but for modern build quality, a lifetime warranty, and the ability to be thrown around and abused without complaint, FPM perfectly ticks all those boxes I’m looking for.
Happy travels!
Azzam