Iconic fashion house MISSONI has teamed up with the chic Milanese luggage company Bric’s to bring chic travelers a stylish, fashion-forward luggage collection.  The two Italian brands have joined forces to create a stunning collection of travel pieces in hardwearing PVC all bearing Missoni’s famous zig-zag pattern. The collection features trolleys, travel bags, laptop cases and wash kits.  So, wherever your travels take you the Missoni for Bric’s luggage collection will help to get you there in style.  This fabulous Missoni Brics luggage collection will be available for Spring 2012 at Betty Hemmings Leathergoods in both Toronto and Vancouver.

Tumi’s newest hardshell luggage option, Tegra-Lite, takes advantage of a thermoplastic exclusive to Tumi called Tegris – a durable and lightweight material found in race cars and protective gear for NFL players.

Tegris is a new super-light polypropylene thermoplastic composite material created by textile and chemicals manufacturer Milliken.  It’s long been used in body armor, NASCAR vehicles and protective equipment for NFL players.  It is an ‘extruded filament’ that can be woven into fabric and then pressed into hard sheets. The Tumi/Milliken partnership on Tegris, has been in development for several years and Tumi has acquired the exclusive world-wide right to this material for travel and accessory products..

According to Tumi, Tegris, provides up to 15 times the impact resistance of typical thermoplastic composites and maintains this level of performance at low temperatures (-40°C).  Because it is 100% polypropylene, Tegris is a lighter material compared to other higher density, glass-filled composites.

The collection includes two-wheeled and four-wheeled carry-ons and several four-wheeled packing cases. The Tumi Tegra-Lite Collection is available at Betty Hemmings Leathergoods in Toronto and Vancouver.

With great excitement Betty Hemmings is proud to be the exclusive dealer for Belstaff bags in North America. While most people only became aware of Belstaff through the forged connection with Hollywood movies and celebrities in the past few years, Belstaff has been in business since 1924, when they used to produce all-weather jackets for motorcyclists, gloves and goggles  for the aviation market – being also the first brand using waterproof, wind proof and water resistant fabrics.

Founded in Longton England, today Belstaff operates out of Mogliano Veneto in Italy, achieved worldwide success and markets a variety of product categories to different parts of the world.

Being in the luxury leather goods industry, it made only sense for Betty Hemmings to carry a broad range of Belstaff bags that are fabulous casual pieces with European flair. Our edgy cool, yet urban chic customers come to love Belstaff when looking for the perfect bag that is not only functional and contemporary, but also sophisticated.

If it is a weekend bag, hand bag, cross body bag or a stylish bag for your iPad, Belstaff keeps its heritage by standing behind their philosophy: To present a wealth of new & old knowledge, technique, fashion and design.

Being the exclusive Globe-Trotter retailer in Canada, Betty Hemmings is excited to share this captivating video with you. This video will give you a chance to see how the iconic suitcases are made at the Globe-Trotter factory in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire using original manufacturing methods.

TORONTO, Dec. 1, 2011- Betty Hemmings Leathergoods and Globe-Trotter today announced the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement in Canada.

“Globe-Trotter’s rich tradition in superior craftsmanship and timeless British design makes this luggage one of the world’s most sought after suitcases” said Betty Hemmings Leathergoods President and CEO Michael Warwick. “These cases are very relevant in today’s market as they are light weight yet very durable which make Globe-Trotter the clear choice in luxury luggage”.

Globe-Trotter was founded in 1897 by Englishman David Nelken, in Saxony Germany, the company soon returned to the UK in 1901 where it has remained ever since. Hand made in Broxbourne, Hertsfordshire,  each case is uniquely constructed from vulcanised fibreboard; a special material invented in Britain during the 1850’s. Remarkably durable, as proven in the company’s archive of suitcases up to 100 years old, Globe-Trotter is as strong as leather yet as light as aluminum and can withstand an excessive beating from airport baggage handlers.

“Our launch into the Canadian market is a significant one as although our brand has been established since 1897, we have only expanded into new territories worldwide since 2005” said Gary Bott Creative Director Globe-Trotter. “As a company we are sensitive to finding the right business partners; our limited hand-made production capacity means that we are in a position to be careful with how we are distributed and represented on a global stage. Therefore, it has taken us a long time to officially launch in Canada as we were waiting to find the definitive retail platform such as Betty Hemmings Leathergoods. We very much look forward to this historical launch and working closely with Betty Hemmings Leathergoods.”

“Globe-Trotter is a natural fit into our diverse assortment of the  world’s most finely crafted travel and business products, all backed by our commitment to servicing and repairing everything we offer” explains Alexandra Warwick, SVP Sales & Marketing. “With such iconic names as Sir Winston Churchill and Sir Edmund Hilary and H.R.H Queen Elizabeth II who chose Globe-Trotter for her honeymoon in 1947 (and continues to use her cases to this day) Globe-Trotter is a historically rich brand that stands up to modern travel demands.”
About Betty Hemmings Leathergoods

Since 1978 Betty Hemmings Leathergoods has served Canadians with a sophisticated range of distinctly crafted business cases and accessories, luggage and leather goods. Imported from around the world, Betty Hemmings sources the world’s best business and travel essentials, all backed by their commitment to servicing and repairing all their brands.

Please visit www.bettyhemmings.com
About Globe-Trotter Suit Case Co. Ltd.

Globe-Trotter is a modern heritage brand established in 1897. Founded by Englishman, David Nelken, in Saxony Germany, the company soon returned to the UK in 1901 where it has remained ever since. Today, Globe-Trotter products are luxury style icons adopted by purveyors of traditional craftsmanship and a timeless aesthetic.

For further information contact:

Alexandra Warwick
SVP Sales & Marketing
(416)921-4321 or 1-877 869-4321
a.warwick@bettyhemmings.com