Arlo Skye: Revolutionizing the Luggage Industry

Designing for Elegance, Practical Intelligence, and Quality

Arlo Skye, a New York-based luggage brand, is disrupting the $32 billion luggage market with its innovative design and business model. The brand's Carry-On, designed by Mauricio Issa, is a testament to the integration of aesthetics, quality, and practical intelligence. This article delves into the unique properties of the design, the technology used in its realization, and the challenges overcome during its creation.

Arlo Skye's Carry-On is a unique blend of novel materials and design elements. The luggage is made from a lightweight aluminum magnesium alloy, which is 2.3 times stronger than poly carbonate. The interior lining is a high-density anti-microbial material from Taiwan, and the handles are made from full-grain vegetable-tanned leather from Florence, Italy. The Carry-On also features patented Japanese Silent Run Lisof wheels, which are 15 percent quieter than their counterparts, and a built-in, removable 10050mAh portable battery.

The design process involved meticulous analysis and testing. The team visited factories specializing in metal forming, tested several finishes to achieve the desired shine, and anodized the luggage to improve resistance to scratches. They also used virgin polypropylene and ABS Injection molding for the custom plastic parts, specially designed and tooled to maximize packing space in the Carry-On.

The Carry-On operates on four wheels with 360-degree omnidirectional rotation and a telescopic handle with three different height stages. The USB Power Bank on the handle housing is accessible and removable from the outside of the case, allowing for easy on-the-go charging of mobile devices. The interior design includes removable compression panels and compression straps to hold everything together.

The project began in October 2015 in New York City and was finalized in June 2016. The first production batch was delivered in August 2016 to the first 300 pre-order clients. The design process was not without its challenges, including metal forming and the redesign of the handle housing to accommodate the portable charger without compromising interior space.

Arlo Skye's Carry-On was awarded the Golden A' Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Award in 2017. The award recognizes marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that advance art, science, design, and technology. Time Magazine billed the Arlo Skye Carry-On as "the next generation of luxury luggage," and the brand has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, and Bloomberg.

Arlo Skye is a testament to the power of innovative design and business models in disrupting established industries. With its unique properties, elegant design, and practical intelligence, the Carry-On is setting a new standard in the luggage industry.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: mauricio issa
Image Credits: Lucas Hrabal
Project Team Members: CEO, Mayur Bhatnagar CDO, Denielle Wolfe Industrial Design Leader, Mauricio Issa Llano
Project Name: The Carry-On
Project Client: mauricio issa


The Carry-On IMG #2
The Carry-On IMG #3
The Carry-On IMG #4
The Carry-On IMG #5
The Carry-On IMG #5

Read More on Design Radiant