Manish Poddar & Abhinav Pathak – Rare Rabbit x Escape Plan – Travel, But Make It Fashion

Airports are no longer just transit points. They’re runways. Mood boards. Personality checks on wheels. …And Rare Rabbit clearly understands the assignment.

The premium menswear and lifestyle label under The House of Rare has officially entered the travel gear category through a strategic collaboration with Escape Plan, unveiling two sleek luggage collections — Gallardo and Tony — designed for the new-age traveller who believes style should never stop at the wardrobe.

And honestly? It was only a matter of time. Known for its sharply tailored menswear and elevated essentials, Rare Rabbit has always positioned itself at the intersection of modern luxury and understated sophistication. Now, it’s taking that same design language beyond fashion and into movement — because today’s consumer doesn’t just dress well; they travel well too.

The Rise of Design-Led Travel

The launch reflects a growing cultural shift where luggage has evolved from functional necessity into a lifestyle extension. What you carry through an airport says almost as much about you as what you wear. Enter Gallardo and Tony — sculpted, design-forward hard-shell trolleys that feel less like utility pieces and more like curated travel companions.

The Gallardo collection leans into sleek minimalism with a matte hard shell finished in subtle carbon weave textures and geometric sculpting. Gunmetal detailing across the trolley system, pullers, logo plate, and wheels gives it a distinctly polished edge — sophisticated without trying too hard. Available in Dark Blue, Carbon Black, and Dark Grey, the collection spans Cabin, Medium, and Large sizes for everything from quick city breaks to long-haul escapes.

Luxury Lives in the Details

Ah… but the beauty lies in the details. Scratch-resistant shells, reinforced corners, 360-degree spinner wheels, TSA locks, and telescopic trolley systems ensure the functionality is just as considered as the aesthetics. Inside, the luggage features a clean dual-compartment layout complete with zippered dividers, fabric pockets, compression straps, removable toiletry compartments, and even a gunmetal hanger — because organisation, too, can be luxurious.

Then comes Tony — quieter perhaps, but equally impactful. Designed for travellers who gravitate towards subtle luxury, the collection features a diagonally textured matte shell paired with gold-finish detailing that adds a refined architectural feel. Think understated glamour rather than flashy statement. Available in Dark Blue, Dark Grey, and Beige, Tony balances visual restraint with elevated craftsmanship.

Inside, the collection continues its thoughtful approach with translucent wet pouches, coordinated storage systems, integrated hangers, and functional compartments designed for seamless travel experiences.

When Fashion Meets Function

What makes this collaboration particularly interesting is how naturally fashion and travel intersect here. Escape Plan brings category expertise and technical understanding, while Rare Rabbit contributes a strong lifestyle identity rooted in aspiration and modern design culture.

As Manish Poddar, Founder and Creative Director of The House of Rare, explains, “Rare has always had a distinct point of view on design, craftsmanship and what premium should truly feel like. Our consumer has evolved with us, and their sense of style extends far beyond the wardrobe, it travels with them. Through our partnership with Escape Plan, we are bringing the Rare design philosophy into a new category, with the same creative rigor, attention to detail and long-term vision that have shaped our brand. This is a natural extension of our lifestyle universe, where every touchpoint reflects the individuality and aspirations of our consumer.”

Speaking about the partnership, Abhinav Pathak, Co-Founder and CEO, Escape Plan, said, “The travel space in India is growing very rapidly, but the high-end luggage market is still very function driven. We believe there is a huge opportunity to create a design-led, aspirational brand that blends performance and identity. Partnering with Rare Rabbit enables us to combine strong fashion equity with deep category expertise and omni-channel scale. Together, we are shaping a premium travel platform that is both commercially robust and culturally relevant for modern Indian consumers.”

Travel Itself Has Changed

The modern traveller is no longer chasing excess. They are curating experiences. They seek products that blend functionality with emotional appeal, utility with aesthetics, movement with identity. Luggage is no longer just baggage… it’s branding.

And Rare Rabbit seems fully aware of this evolution.

Why TheGlitz Thinks This Is Good News for Travellers

…Because finally, Indian travellers are getting luggage that understands both style and substance.

For years, premium travel gear in India has largely leaned heavily on utility while aesthetics remained secondary. This collaboration changes that conversation. Rare Rabbit and Escape Plan are bringing fashion sensibility into a category that has long needed design disruption.

What stands out is the balance. These collections don’t sacrifice functionality for visual appeal — they elevate both simultaneously. From thoughtfully designed interiors and durable finishes to elevated hardware and sculpted silhouettes, the luggage feels aligned with how modern consumers actually travel today: fluidly, stylishly, and constantly in motion.

More importantly, it signals something bigger for the Indian lifestyle market — the rise of homegrown premium brands that understand aspiration, global aesthetics, and experiential living.

…Because luxury today isn’t loud logos or overstatement, sometimes, it’s simply arriving well.