Hermes Caleche Express Luggage Set For 2012.

Hermes have released a completely new luggage series for 2012, and by the looks of it, this ones a keeper, we expect this to be a continuity set in Hermes catalogue, and sit proudly alongside the likes of the Kelly, Birkin and Sac De Depeche in the years to come.

A quick glance at the pieces and it's not hard to see why we made this call, not for this is the gimmicky touches applied to Hermes "Orion" luggage in Aluminium, released last year and never heard of again, these pieces are pure Hermes, that is to say, pure quality, restrained, elegant, and unmistakably Hermes from start to finish.

Available in three sizes, Large rolling luggage at 14"x21.5"x10", small rolling luggage at 14"x14"x10" and a practical handheld bag with a strap which Hermes call a "messenger" but we just call a versatile hand carried bag, measuring 14.5"x12"x6".  The bags are a fusion of water and stain resistant technical cotton canvas material called H tech, and have been trimmed with generous sections of Hermes Barenia Leather, the bags come in either Ecru Canvas and Fawn Barenia, Graphite Canvas and Ebony Barenia or taupe canvas and Brown Barenia.

As with everything in life, it is the details that make the difference, as if the name Hermes, and the scrupulous attention to detail they are famous for were not enough, we have details like, on the rolling luggage a palladium plated Aluminium pull handle, multiple zipped pockets to carry everything you could desire, webbing pockets for shoes, on the hand carried bag, a foam protected internal pocket for a computer, leather flap system to connect a document holder, and, as if all this were not enough, all hardware on all these bags is solid brushed silver and palladium.

Taking into account the legion of touches, along with Hermes pedigree, and the out and out attractiveness of this luggage, it's easy to see why we rate this a continuity piece in Hermes range.  Although the Hand carried bag is quite masculine, the rolling luggage could just as easily be womens luggage as mens.

Available now, the Large rolling luggage is £5000, the small £4500 and the "messenger" £4000.