Handle without care

A spotlight on the Italian brand of bags and accessories Crash Baggage.

Crash Baggage reinvents travel with its pre-dented luggage that merges resilience with high-fashion edge. With a “Handle Without Care” philosophy, designed to embrace imperfections, each piece is both resilient and stylish, making travel easier and more eco-conscious. This bold approach turns every trip into an opportunity to celebrate life’s bumps and scuffs, transforming luggage into a true expression of adventure.

In a world where travel is synonymous with wear and tear, Crash Baggage stands out as a refreshing alternative, reshaping the luggage landscape with its unconventional philosophy. Founded by Francesco Pavia in Mira, Venice, this Italian brand has captivated globetrotters since 2013 with its motto, “Handle Without Care.” The notion of pre-dented luggage liberates travelers from the anxiety of scuffs and scratches, inviting them to embrace the journey’s unpredictability. Pavia’s debut at Florence’s Pitti Uomo showcased his innovative vision through “The Pioneer” collection, a line of dented suitcases that turned traditional luggage norms on their head. This revolutionary concept resonated globally, swiftly earning a place in top concept stores around the world.

“Crash Baggage is an Italian luggage and accessories brand that believes in travel as the ultimate freedom to seek pleasure and break out of one’s routine. The brand’s philosophy is summarized in its tagline, Handle Without Care, and its iconic pre-dented shells. Why? Because if brand new luggage comes with the dents normally wrought by wear and tear, the traveler is free from worrying about it.”

Crash Baggage is committed to a spirit of freedom in every aspect, from design to communication. As Pavia notes, “Every decision Crash Baggage makes is based on the concept of freedom.” The brand’s approach encourages bold, avant-garde creations that challenge conventional aesthetics, ensuring a position at the forefront of luggage design. Beyond the signature dented suitcases, Crash Baggage continues to push creative boundaries. The translucent Share suitcase and the recently unveiled Lunar trolley, featuring innovative pneumatic tires for a smooth glide, exemplify this ethos. The Lunar trolley, with its vibrant color options and striking dented design, marries form and function in an extraordinary way. With the introduction of Smart, a versatile briefcase-trolley hybrid designed for professionals, and collaborative collections like “I Have a Crash on You” with MSGM, Crash Baggage remains a trailblazer in both style and practicality.

“Every decision Crash Baggage makes is based on the concept of freedom.”

Eager to broaden its international reach, Crash Baggage opened its second headquarters in China in 2022, complementing its Italian base. While the Italian hub remains the heart of design and communication, the Chinese office focuses on commercial strategies and connects directly with the Asian market. The brand is now available in various countries, including South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, and Georgia, and has even launched its first dedicated store in Kazakhstan, enhancing the travel experience for a global audience.

Their latest campaign, “Embrace the Unexpected,” draws inspiration from the quirky realm of extreme ironing—a whimsical sport where adventurers iron clothes in unconventional settings. Conceived by the creative team at Rodeo Clown, this bold project encourages travelers to step outside the ordinary. Photographer Valerio Nico captures this spirit with a touch of absurdity, supported by The Circumstances, an art and video-making collective exploring contemporary aesthetics.

As Crash Baggage evolves, it remains steadfast in its core values: striking design, functionality, and the freedom to explore without stress. Above all, it celebrates the idea that every dent tells a story, affirming that in the world of travel, bumps are not flaws—they are marks of a journey well taken. Embrace the chaos and style of your adventures with Crash Baggage.

Handle without care

Credits:

Brand: Crash Baggage / @crashbaggage
Words: Camila Correa / @cami.correahg
Editor: Anca Macavei / @ancamacavei

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