Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The Samsonite Fashionaire

I really adore vintage luggage. Although let's be clear, I certainly don't love schlepping it around town. I totally admit that all my beloved old vintage suitcases & train cases weigh a freakin' ton and are total back breakers. I'm more than happy to roll my little green wheelie suitcase all over the airport. (A trip to Vegas with the Devil-Ettes sporting my pink hardshell Samsonite suitcase taught me that lesson—sweaty sequins do not a glamor girl make, my friends.)



One of my favorite vintage bags is the Samsonite Fashionaire line. The distinctive black and white floral pattern is so great, and of course the bold orange lining is a total dream. I have several of the bags from this line and they just make me so darn happy. My favorite is the carry one bag because its the most practical.




Samsonite recently re-released the line as part of their Black Label Collection. The added a roller bag (of course) and also including a jivey black version with white flowers. Christina Ricci as the spokes model although I never really saw ads fr the campaign. The suitcases cost a pretty penny and I'm not sure they sold very well. I will say that this tends to be the "go-to" vintage suitcase for stylists all over the place. I always see it in random commercials and music videos.







If you're intrigued by the Fashionaire, and you know you are, you can often find them on eBay. Occasionally they are listed as "Samsonite Marimekko" although this is false. I'm fairly certain that marimekko had nothing to do with this line and it was just some enterprising eBayer who started listing it that way to drum up interest!

Oh, so check this out cha-cha, a while back I found this awesome little tunic that had the exact same pattern on it. Very cute eh? It's not vintage but who cares. It's still fun.


[Do I get bonus points for seamless use of JIVEY and Cha-Cha?? See next post if you have no idea what the hell I'm talking about!]

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16 comments:

  1. Yay! i have (an original) one of those cases! But i never knew anything about them. So glad to be able to put a name to them!
    Lets not dwell on how envious i am of the tunic... that would be very un-jivey of me ;)

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  2. The suitcases are great, but those yellow shoes of yours stole the show. Amazing.

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  3. I have been under a rock. Never seen Samsonite like this before. It's amazing! I have a set of the pink Samsonite, and indeed, it's not easy to tote around.

    I can't believe you found a matching top! Yes, super-jivey, cha-cha.

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  4. Oh. Hell. Yes. Must have. Now.

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

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  5. OH MY GAW!!! me wantie!! oh you torture me so!

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  6. Fun luggage for alllll!!!!!!! I love the idea of some day having a meet-up and we all have our cute lil samsonite bags!!

    In lieu of sweet vintage bags, I highly recommend TJ Maxx for cool luggage. They always have extremely colorful and affordable rolling bags (i have a kelly green one and a cool orangey red one). It helps so much when you're waiting for your bag to come down the carousel....in a sea of black they totally pop!

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  7. Oh My God. I want that luggage. and your tunic!! Stop being so cool already!!

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  8. Awesome luggage and shirt coordination, you rock! Those are lovely images of Christina Ricci. I really want some of that gorgeous luggage.

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  9. Alex you seem to have a really fab collection of shoes... every time you post a photo of yourself I immediately look at what shoes you're wearing!

    I love that luggage too. I saw an amazing window display of it in Tokyo. Gorgeous.

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  10. oh! it's lovely. the orange is a sublime surprise. i so want one. or two.

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  11. Those darling little yellow shoes are killing me almost as much as the fabulous vintage Samsonite luggage. And Christina Ricci as the spokesperson? Fabulous. Although that one of her sitting on the luggage makes me want to give her a milkshake!

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  12. One more reason to get that cool suitcase: you don't have to worry about picking up the wrong black suitcase at the luggage belt anymore!

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  13. I so love this! I just acquired a few pieces myself and would love to know the name of the print or the maker of your wonderful tunic! ;) If I could find material with this print I want to make a shower curtain! LOVE IT!!

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  14. I have a vintage carry on fashionaire, the orange lining is great but somehow the dye has gone through the leather staining the white parts where the lining is in direct contact.. Does anyone know how to get rid of the staining?

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  15. All the Fashionaire on Ebay seems to be black/white, as in black background, white flowers. We are looking for reverse (what you have above). Thoughts?!

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  16. My girlfriend has 2 traincases, make up bag, carry on tote,& 3 lugage suitcases. Trying to find a good home for the set. Please email me. Lanajvine@gmail.com

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