No one ever said it was going to be easy creating an innovative new luggage brand. And indeed, it was tough going for a while. Prototypes failed and problems kept popping up in the designs. ''But I was determined to achieve my goal of creating the world's most sophisticated wrinkle-free luggage system,'' confirms Michael. To do that, it had to meet several criteria: it had to be light, compact and durable, due to restrictive international carry-on travel regulations; it had to be beautiful; and it had to accommodate the wrinkle-free objective.

Ferdinand Porsche reportedly once said, ''If you think hard enough about a product, it almost designs itself.'' Michael can relate to this sentiment. ''You never know where your inspiration is going to come from; you just have to be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking of things.'' After one particularly draining day, Michael came home and collapsed onto his living room chair and switched on the TV. A documentary on Formula One racing was showing, and within minutes of watching, he had a revelation about how to build the luggage system of his dreams.

Featured items CP30 Business Backpack and the CP25 Business Briefcase.