kenya kate
kate letcher
Kate Lesher is well-versed in the packing items needed for all types of travel. As senior vice president of travel products and cult-favorite gift brand Mark & Graham, Kate oversees the collection and throws new items into the mix.
I personally swear by Mark and Graham for all my domestic and world adventures, as well as any road or plane trips. I rely on packing cubes, carry-on and check-in suitcases, beach bags, duffel bags, tote bags, and tech organizers. The best part is that everything can be personalized and above all fashionable.
Kate is qualified for her job. Growing up on the East Coast, she says she developed a love of exploration at an early age and continues that tradition with her three adult children. Their trip included a cherished return to Kenya, a country that has held a special place in her heart since she first visited when she was 20 years old.
In Kate’s role, she travels internationally working on new product development, while always keeping an eye out for inspiration for the next ‘it’. A self-confessed pack addict, she enjoys bringing a variety of options to her adventures.
Below, she shares insight into Mark & Graham’s travel products and talks about her past and upcoming escapades.
Marks & Graham’s Terminal 1 suitcases and packing cubes.
mark and graham
What are the best sellers in the Mark and Graham travel collection?
The Terminal 1 Luggage Collection is our best seller. It’s as stylish as it is functional. Now more than ever, our customers are choosing to carry their luggage on board, so we’re now selling an expandable version. You may bring some luggage with you on your way there, but you can also add more luggage to bring back the things you bought during your trip.
Our packing cubes! A must-have for staying organized while packing or traveling.
We love weekenders. It has a similar amount of space as a carry-on and is perfect for road trips or local vacations. My favorite is the canvas and leather weekender. I also love the expandable bag that fits snugly on top of my luggage. My favorite is the Terminal 1 Expandable Travel Tote. A zippered compartment at the bottom allows you to pack additional items as needed, and a built-in trolley pass keeps them securely in your luggage.
I love adding a little style (and making my bags easy to identify) with colorful monogrammed luggage tags like the Fillmore Vegan Collection. A matching passport case is also included.
Our travel jewelry case is a must-have. I can’t travel without it. Keep your jewelry safely organized and stored on the go.
Finally, our clear-coated cosmetic bags are a traveler’s favorite because they wipe clean, keep you organized, and come in a variety of fun, colorful prints.
What travel essentials do you think you need for every trip? Of course you need bags, but do you really need items like packing cubes?
I love packing cubes. It’s also useful when packing items such as running shoes. My essentials are a toiletry bag that comes pre-filled with travel-sized products, and a carry-on-friendly tote like the Essential Weekender. We also have a quality cashmere sweater, a fun patterned blanket scarf perfect for air travel, a comfy sleep mask, lots of natural clothes to mix and match, pouches to keep everything organized, shoe bags and packing cubes, and a crossbody bag. I’m also packing. A passport holder and luggage tag that can be used from day to night.
Marks & Graham’s clear coated waterproof pouch.
mark and graham
How can the right products make your trip easier?
Traveling can be stressful. Being organized can be very helpful. Items such as lightweight bags and waterproof pouches are especially useful. I also always pack easy transitional neutrals into my outfits. I love having a beautiful carry-on bag that makes a statement when walking through the airport.
How do you approach short trips versus long trips? What products do you bring for a week or two week trip versus a weekend trip?
For weekends, we recommend using a large tote bag on top of your carry-on rolling luggage. If I also need a beach bag, I sometimes slip a few bags into my tote.
No matter the length, I always use packing cubes. This is because it will help you unpack it when it arrives and it will help you fit more luggage.
They check your luggage so you don’t have to worry about trying to minimize your luggage.
Do you use different products for leisure travel and business travel? If so, please share the differences.
I pack for business and leisure alike. It’s always best to have a system in place to reduce stress. For leisure, my carry bag might be a little more casual and colorful. Businesses use the Terminal 1 laptop carry-on as hand luggage for easy access to computers.
If you had to recommend three Mark & Graham travel products that everyone should invest in, which would they be?
The navy blue Terminal 1 expandable carry-on is a hit, as is the classic navy blue striped 6-piece packing cube set and the camel leather Essential Leather Weekender.
What is your most memorable trip?
They went to the Amalfi Coast for their 25th anniversary, went to Bermuda for spring break, went to Paris with their 21-year-old daughter to see Taylor Swift, and took the family on a safari in Kenya.
Where are you heading next?
We travel around the world from India to Italy and spend two weeks working on product development.
Do you have a destination on your bucket list?
I want to go skiing in Japan in January, when it snows a lot, and also go to Australia.
