SteamLine Luggage
Sara Banks, the founder and visionary behind SteamLine Luggage has a perpetual sense of wanderlust. It began with her study abroad trip in Ireland, a destination that proved so mesmerizing it's where she eventually relocated and launched her brand. Now, her steamer trunk inspired bags have traversed the globe taking Banks' trademark sense of travel and style with them and garnering a cult following along the way. You may be inspired to dust off your suitcase or rather, snap up one of these travel-inducing SteamLine cases. Join us as the Dublin based designer shares what inspires her most as a female founder and looks ahead to a Post-Covid future.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR STEAMLINE LUGGAGE?
It all came together—a way to travel for life—when I created SteamLine Luggage.
“a range of colourful suitcases designed to return travel to its glamorous roots as one of the great privileges and luxuries of life.”
WHAT MAKES STEAMLINE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER LUGGAGE BRANDS?
It’s a brand that says something different and deeper about its users—
“a desire to stand out, immerse themselves and embrace others wherever they roam.”
Anyone who owns a SteamLine knows that the adventure begins with the first step into an airport, train station, or port. You never quite know what–or who–is next, and your luggage opens conversations with strangers that might not have happened otherwise.
HOW CHALLENGING WAS IT TO STAR YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I took a leap of faith in 2010.
“hoping to build upon an idea that supported my love for travel and had the potential for growth.”
I was working in the fashion industry selling multi-purpose travel wear and accessories, and doing a lot of trade shows at the time. I would watch buyers walk around these shows with very fashionable coats and handbags and carry boring black nylon luggage. When you travel for work, this is always a problem. SteamLine started to brew from this moment onward.
HOW HAS BEING A FEMALE FOUNDER INFLUENCED YOUR BUSINESS?
“I am so impressed and driven by the amazing female founders that I have been able to learn from and collaborate with over the years.”
I have also learned a lot from talking to solo female travelers and wrote more about it recently on SteamLine’s blog here.
HAVE YOU PERFECTED THE ART OF THE PACK? WHAT ARE SOME MUST HAVE ITEMS IN YOUR SUITCASE?
My mantra is: Pack and Eliminate and Pack Again.
“Always take less than what you think you will need. You will never regret it.”
Some of my “must-have” items that work for almost all destinations and weather are a great face cream, like Tata Harper, thin white t-shirt, light layers that can be worn on the plane and at the destination, like a cashmere cardigan or lightweight scarf, favorite jeans, comfortable flats like Margaux or Sarah Flint and some great jewelry for dinners out.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RITUALS OF TRAVEL?
My family and I really love to settle into a new travel location. We have made travel a very important part of raising our four boys. My husband and I want our children to know how special this world is, to see how other people live, experience how they go to school, eat what they eat.
“Once a year, we embark on a month-long trip and enroll them in a local school wherever we are.”
Past places have been Sri Lanka and Kenya, so they can develop a community around them by engaging with new people. I really feel that the more we can bridge these cultural gaps, the more empathetic and compassionate we will be to others.
AS A COMPANY BASED IN IRELAND, DOES LOCATION PLAY A ROLE IN INSPIRING THE BRAND?
It’s a small enough country that I have been able to connect with so many wonderful artists and designers to collaborate with over the years. We launched a travel sticker collection last year with Annie Atkins and have an amazing collaboration with Lauren Taylor Engel for Spring/Summer coming out.
HOW INVOLVED ARE YOUR CONSUMERS IN YOUR BRAND?WOULD YOU SAY THERE IS A STEAMLINE COMMUNITY?
Absolutely, and we launched our blog in 2020 to harness all the great community energy and…
“highlight amazing people we’re inspired by and their travel stories.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR STEAMLINE?
My hope is that when people start to travel again, SteamLine will dignify the experience.
“SteamLine will remind you that it's a gift to be off the ground and experiencing the wonder of the world.”
We have some exciting collaborations with artists, designers and other travel brands coming out this year- we aim to continually offer new and inspiring cases to our customers.
