At no time in our history have people stopped traveling, whether on voyages by ship, rail or in the air. The means of transportation might have changed, but one always left with a bag in tow and brought it back full of fond memories of the place visited. While styles of traveling may have remained the same, the styles of bags for traveling have continued to change as time goes by. As a trunk manufacturer, Samsonite Corporation originated in Denver, Colorado in 1910. Since then, with an eye on the needs of the times, it has continued to offer travel bags with integrated features including high quality, exquisite craftsmanship, excellent functionality and superior design. In 2005, it launched its premium line, Samsonite Black Label, targeting savvy travelers. Since then, it has made quite a splash through collaborations with designers and the special taste of sophistication and luxury offered by the line. Samsonite Black Label collections have always been a fascination of those who aspire to relish a journey with a touch of elegance, including frequent business travelers.

In addition to stores in top locations worldwide, such as New York, San Francisco, London, Berlin and Madrid, Samsonite Black Label opened its first store in Ginza, Japan, in August 2006. The Ginza store was designed by Nicolas Guillot of the "G+a" design agency, who has also designed boutiques for clients such as Christian Dior. Using Black Label's color combination of black and orange as the basic tone, the store is a ravishing showcase of various travel bags, including suitcases. "Japan is one of the most important countries in our market. The Ginza store in particular has one of the widest range of Black Label products worldwide," says Ms. Hayama of the Samsonite Marking Division. When it comes to suitcases, many products are designed for men. This store, however, offers a variety of products for women as well, resulting in a male to female customer ratio of 6:4.

With its experienced international design team in London, Black Label produces not only original collections but also collaborative and archive collections. Every collection is created using the latest design technology and eloquently expresses its individuality. In particular, "Samsonite Black Label by ALEXANDER McQUEEN" was released in 2007 and came about as a result of the fusion of Samsonite's premium craftsmanship and the creations of Alexander McQueen, one of the world's top designers. Since its launch, it has received high acclaim as an exclusive, cutting-edge suitcase. This collaborative collection, which won the Style on the Move award of the prestigious travel magazine "Conde Nast Traveler," exhibits its most distinctive quality in its design. The design of the Hero was inspired by the human form, employing the human torso as its motif, while a crocodile skin pattern is carved on the surface of the Croc. Both share the concept of embodying natural patterns and forms in luggage design. The collection, which was temporarily in short supply in the U.S., can be rated as a state-of-the-art suitcase fusing McQueen's avant-garde designs with Samsonite's cutting-edge technology for functionality and durability.

Of the Black Label collections, the most recommended to businessmen for its supreme practicality and functionality is the "Opto" collection. With "intelligence" resulting from its design and functionality, the Opto series provides extensive features suitable for every type of business travel. Unlike many other suitcases, it needs no optional accessories and comes complete with multiple features as standard, earning it the nickname of the "Mobile Office."

Released last spring, the "Sevruga" collection is Black Label's new face for business travel. Its most striking quality is certainly its innovative design. Inspired by aquatic creatures, Sevruga embodies the design philosophy called Aquadynamics, not only in its exterior, but also in its flow of mechanical motion. As a business bag with new features, such as the use of the latest scientific materials and a rotatable mono tube handle, it is a series worthy of much note.

Crowned with classical yet timelessly adorable elegance, the "Vintage" series will adorn your journey with luxurious glamour. Inspired by days of ocean travel, this series is designed for women and is characterized by its sleek, streamlined style. In addition to its highly fashionable taste, such as the use of a tweed texture and the addition of trendy seasonal colors, the series comes with functional pouches that reputedly help you finish packing in a shorter time. The two types of travel bags, soft and hard, offer a choice to suit your style of travel.

The "Trunk" collection joined Black Label at the end of last year. Its production run is limited to 2,500 items worldwide. In Japan, only the Black Label Ginza store and some other retailers sell this collection. Released as a revival of the luggage trunks that firmly secured Samsonite's status between 1920 and 1930, it is made completely by hand using the same methods as the original trunks. In spite of its authentic original style and vintage taste, the inside is decorated with fabrics featuring bold geometric patterns. It is also equipped with a TSA compatible lock. Samsonite's abundant heritage and craftsmanship are thus reborn as a fashion icon, speaking to the very history of Samsonite. The use of actress Chloë Sevigny as the brand's icon remains a vivid memory.

In addition to the products available online, the Samsonite Black Label Ginza store also offers collections that can't be found outside the store, including a collection of accessories. In particular, passport holders and wallets with eye-catching, rich textures and luxurious details, will add further charm to your journey.

Samsonite Black Label always amazes with its innovative ideas. At the end of March, it will launch a new collection in collaboration with VIKTOR & ROLF as the successor to the collaboration with ALEXANDER McQUEEN. This surely promises to steal the hearts of fashion connoisseurs once more. As it will open new stores in succession nationwide this year, the brand will continue to be in the limelight, especially during its 100th anniversary next year.

Life is a Journey - and for this long journey, Samsonite Black Label offers a way to relish travel with lavish indulgence - and it will surely continue to do so.