Here’s What Michael Kors and Gigi Hadid Always Keep in Their Carry-on Luggage

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It should surprise exactly no one that Michael Kors and Gigi Hadid have a lot of things in common. Aside from the obvious which is their fashion royalty status — he is at the helm of a billion-dollar fashion company with flagships all around the globe and she is one of the world’s most recognizable faces thanks to her supermodel career — the two also share a long-term friendship and a passion for travel.

Needless to say, when it came to selecting the face for his new perfume, Wonderlust — an oriental fragrance that blends exotic notes sourced from far-off destinations, Kors had only one person in mind. “Gigi fully embodies the Michael Kors Wonderlust spirit,” he says. “She’s curious, spontaneous, lighthearted...everything you want in a travel partner […]”

We recently caught up with both of them to talk all things travel, and we were surprised to find out that despite their celebrity jet-set status, when it comes to pet peeves, we are all alike. Hadid, for example, finds it especially annoying waiting in baggage claim, while for Kors, the most irritating thing is when people try to go through security with “a million zippers, buckles and layered jewelry.” (honestly, #same)

We also couldn’t help but ask about the perpetual traveler’s dilemma — window or aisle seat, and it turns out that both Kors and Hadid prefer the window (Hadid makes an excellent point that the seat next to the wall makes for a good headrest).

Of course, they had a slew of other travel tips. Here’s Gigi’s clever trick to beating jet lag, what is still on their bucket lists, and, of course, the go-to travel outfits both swear by.

Travel+Leisure: Which one of the four fashion week cities is your favorite for shopping and dining?

Michael Kors: New York, but I’m biased — it’s been my home for over 30 years and it’s the city where I founded my brand. My favorite restaurants are Peter Luger for an old-school, no-frills New York experience, 4 Charles Prime Rib, Sant Ambroeus, J.G. Melon for a burger, and The Little Owl, because it’s in my neighborhood. For shopping, I like Wyeth, HomeNature for décor and furniture, and Dover Street Market.

Gigi Hadid: I like shopping and eating out mostly in Paris, because I think being there romanticizes everything.

Which are your favorite places around the globe? What is still on your bucket list both in terms of destinations and experiences?

MK: A safari and stay at Singita Lebombo Lodge is an experience unlike any other. And Amanpuri in Phuket is the ultimate escape — white sand and turquoise water as far as the eye can see. Still on my bucket list is Ayers Rock in Australia.

GH: I love anywhere that feels remote and super tropical, like Tahiti and Turks & Caicos. My favorite ski destinations are Aspen, Colorado, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Besides that, because I spend so much time in the airport and traveling for work, I find a lot of peace and balance spending my off-time home at the farm. Anywhere in nature makes me happy.

I’d still love to visit other amazing natural sites like the Grand Canyon, and New Zealand, and see the Northern Lights.

What is your best tip for traveling light?

MK: Stick to a color scheme so you can mix and match throughout your trip and don’t forget the power of accessories. Or, of course, there are some world travelers who send everything in advance.

GH: I only travel with a carry on. My go-to pack is usually a favorite pair of blue jeans, sweats, a hoodie, a couple t-shirts (short and long sleeve) another pair of pants or shorts, depending on my destination, and then a few pieces that I’m loving at the moment that can be mixed and matched with any of the basics. I usually bring a pair of sneakers and a pair of boots. You can get more outfits out of that than it seems!

How do you stay healthy when you travel?

MK: Lots of fresh seafood, local produce, and swimming in the ocean.

GH: Sleep is most important for me, trying to get adjusted to the time difference as soon as possible helps. I try to have a good hardy breakfast every day and love a good hotel breakfast buffet! It’s important to always have balance between health and comfort food, but I think traveling isn’t complete if you’re not indulging in the local cuisines.

What is your best cure for jet lag?

MK: A massage.

GH: I always try to fly at night if possible. I can sleep really well on planes so landing in the morning well rested and going straight to work usually gets me on the time zone. That way, when I’m done with work, I’m normally exhausted and ready to sleep at the right time! I trick my brain into thinking there’s no time change.

What are the products you always keep in your carry-on regardless of your destination?

MK: Bose headphones, an iPad, La Mer lip balm, aviator sunglasses, and the latest biography.

GH: Phone charger, Chap Stick, perfume, lip balm, headphones, and something to write or draw with.

Describe your go-to travel outfit.

MK: It’s the same as my everyday uniform — dark jeans or cargos, a black t-shirt and a black cashmere sweater, and custom New Balance sneakers.

GH: Jeans or sweats, sweater or sweatshirt, boots or sneakers. I’m always cold on planes so I often travel with a soft scarf in my purse.

Busta Rhymes Lost His Cool About Overhead Bin Space on a Flight to London

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It turns out even Busta Rhymes gets touchy over overhead bin space. The hip-hop star was met by police upon arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport Tuesday morning after getting in a heated argument with a fellow passenger who had her luggage in the overhead bin above his first-class seat.

Busta — whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr. — reportedly boarded a British Airways flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport just before the door closed. The Daily Mail reports that after boarding with five carry-on bags, Busta found another first-class passenger’s luggage in the overhead bin. He demanded to know who the luggage belonged to, and when a young British woman said it was hers, witnesses report that Busta became agitated, aggressive, and began insulting her.

When she began crying, the woman’s husband intervened, and the rapper became aggressive toward the man, challenging him physically. A witness told the Daily Mail that when the altercation became more heated, other passengers stepped in and called a staff member to intervene.

Airline staff spoke with Busta and the other passengers to ensure that there would be no further trouble.

The other passengers were given the option to take a later flight to London and Busta was allowed to remain on the five-hour, overnight flight. There was no further incident. Upon arrival in London around 6:52 a.m. on Tuesday, the rapper was met by police and questioned, but not arrested.

“Our cabin crew and captain reassured all the customers involved,” a British Airways spokesperson told the Daily Mail. “All those in the cabin were given the option of moving away, and the flight did not depart until everyone confirmed that they were happy to continue.”

The 47-year-old singer is visiting Europe to perform on the Greek island of Mykonos and at a festival in Romania.

You Can Finally Organize Your Suitcase Like a Pro With These Packing Cubes

An editor on the Travel + Leisure team once returned from family vacation with a hilariously horrific story. As she waited with her parents at the baggage claim carousel for their checked luggage, a lone pair of underwear rolled out on the belt — as all color immediately drained from her mother’s face.

Dignity, fellow travelers, is just one of the many reasons that using packing cubes is a good idea.

Like any life-enriching travel accessory, once you start using packing cubes, there is no turning back. It’s incredibly satisfying to open your suitcase and know exactly where everything is.  

Even unpacking becomes easier: Packing cubes will keep your clothes compressed and folded flat or neatly rolled (however you prefer to do it), meaning no wrinkles. Once you’re settled in, you don’t have to rifle through your suitcase looking for that dinner outfit you swore you packed right on the top. You can just move the cubes directly into the drawers of your hotel’s dresser, unzip, and you’re set.

When shopping for a set of packing cubes, there are a few things to consider. Most are constructed of canvas or nylon, making them durable, lightweight, and easy to wash alongside your other dirty laundry post-trip. Some are made of plastic, which doesn’t allow your clothes to breathe as well, but will protect them from any spills or other scenarios in which your bags get wet. Some have mesh components, too, which is helpful when it comes to visibility and breathability but can make them more likely to snag or rip over time.

And though most are designed to fit into standard carry-on luggage, I find them especially useful for compartmentalizing a backpack or weekender duffel bag.

Below, the best packing cubes and sets to keep you organized, compressed, and, most importantly, safe from public humiliation.

9 Luggage Brands Celebrities Swear By

Whether for work or pleasure, travel is a large part of celebrities’ lifestyles, so it’s not surprising that they have turned airports into fashion arenas. And we economy-traveling folk often look to them for inspiration and tips to make our own trips more comfortable and stylish — be it shoes, bags, or jeans.

Of course, if you are an A-lister, you don’t exactly travel light. We’ve all seen photos of celebs standing next to piles of stacked suitcases filled with, we imagine, glamorous designer outfits and countless pairs of shoes. And while we totally envy the contents of said suitcases, it’s the luggage itself that we’re more interested in today.

Some celebrities have stuck with their favorite brands for years. Model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, for example, can rarely be seen rolling anything other than an Away carry-on. The brand has only been around for three years, but it has already won over Tinseltown — just ask actresses Rashida Jones and Mandy Moore.

Related: The Best Designer Luggage Brands

But when it comes to staying true to one brand, nobody does it better than the Queen. Ever since her honeymoon in 1947, she’s been traveling with her Globe-Trotter suitcases, and so does all of the Royal Family (even the youngest members, Prince George and Princess Charlotte). Only time will tell if Meghan Markle, who’s about to officially become part of it all, will follow suit and retire her Ghurka duffel for a Globe-Trotter set.

One brand, it seems, reigns supreme with the It-crowd and that’s Louis Vuitton. From the entire Kardashian clan to the Hadid sisters, it’s fair to guess the highest concentration of LV-embossed bags and suitcases likely resides in Los Angeles.

Now, take a look at some of the luggage brands celebrities can’t get enough of.

Packing Tips

Throwing a suitcase together may sound like a no-brainer, but Travel + Leisure’s signature packing tips—culled from the combined wisdom of its well-traveled writers and editors—can always offer a few pointers to make the whole process better.

We keep tabs on the latest in packing innovations (like machines that pack your suitcase for you), tips (like how to get your Thanksgiving dinner past airport security), and news (remember the time that man wore all his clothes at once to avoid a checked bag fee…and then passed out from the heat under all those layers?).

Often the best packers are only as good as their luggage, so we also evaluate the newest carry-ons, checked luggage, backpacks, and laptop bags for style, sturdiness, and safety. We love dust bags for storing shoes and separating delicate items of clothing. Travel-sized jewelry holders help make sure necklaces don’t get tangled and rings don’t get lost. And new, high-tech suitcases have charging ports, GPS trackers, and other innovations to make packing less of a chore.

Packing Hacks

With additional fees for checked bags, most travelers aim to fit everything they need into a single carry-on bag. The best way to accomplish this is simply to pack light. By choosing clothes that all share the same color palette, you can mix and match garments to create new outfits with ease. Of course, there are a few tried-and-true methods of cramming everything you want into that one bag. Roll, don’t fold. And skip the bulky platform heels and extra jacket. (Or, if you must, wear them on the plane.) Stick to fabrics that won’t wrinkle. And limit yourself to just two pairs of shoes: one formal, one comfortable.

T+L editors have also been known to layer dryer sheets in between items to ensure their freshness over longer journeys. For heavy bags, we like to put the weightiest objects on the bottom-end of a wheeled suitcase, which makes it easier to maneuver. Dry shampoo, of course, is a life saver.