One of the advantages of traveling is that it enriches your experience and opens up your perspective on the culture and history of a place and the people. Exotic accessories and artisanal items, for instance, can be a great source of inspiration – and this is exactly what L’Indochine’s Char Carlos and Leona Panutat seek every time they travel around Asia in search of artisan treasures in cultural villages and craft markets.
“We travel for a living searching for the most beautiful pieces to bring home,” the ladies, who have been dubbed as “inspiration seekers” – relate. Their trips become learning experiences that help them see “what works or what doesn’t,” in the process inspiring them to create travel essentials that they couldn’t really find elsewhere.
Like many smart travelers, Char and Leona (or simply C&L) want pieces that are sturdy and functional and yet, “still very L’Indochine” – meaning stylish and exotically appealing.
“We knew that we wanted to incorporate materials from our travels and thus the travel collection came about,” the pair discloses, proceeding to curate creatively designed travel essentials incorporating materials from their trips – beautifully embroidered Hmong fabric for the block print collection, beaded tassels for the ikat-stripe collection that add a pop of color and detail that are unmistakably L’Indochine.
C&L wanted pieces that not only looked beautiful but were also sturdy, “pieces that we ourselves can take whenever we travel.” For instance, a weekender that’s perfect as carry on, a block print sling frees up the hands, a perfect tote that’s roomy enough to hold all travel essentials, or a fold-over clutch that can also double as a sling bag and a travel organizer that allows one to keep gadgets, tickets and itinerary in place.
leaving the hands unencumbered
Of course, it’s not only women who travel so there are hardworking canvas and leather toiletry bags that get better with age, and cord rolls made out of the softest leather, the ladies share, adding that the pieces from the Travel Collection are “anything but ordinary. They’re beautiful as they are functional. Aside from being made out of sturdy canvas and tough leather, they have special details like the Hmong pockets and tassels that give them something extra. They’re also very limited in quantity and no two are exactly the same.”
Customers can expect beautifully made, quality bags and accessories that only get better with time, and are of perfect sizes and styles to take with you everywhere,” says C&L.
Along with the unveiling of L’Indochine’s Travel Collection at the SM Mega Fashion Store was also the launch of #LindochineLovesMiB that featured a journaling workshop conducted by Martine de Luna of Make It Blissful. Shoppers were delighted to see the store window display, designed by stylist Indy Ycasiano of She Dreams In Ink, that had a travel adventure feel.
For those planning to add a touch of the exotic to their lifestyle or simply searching for an exquisite gift, they might just find what they are looking for at L’Indochine stores located at the 4th level of SM Mega Fashion Hall and at the 3rd level of SM Aura Premier.