The Paravel Brand Story

The Beginning: A Vision for Better Travel

Every great brand starts with a simple observation, a moment of clarity that reveals a gap between what exists and what could be. For Paravel, that moment came when co-founders Indre Rockefeller and Andy Krantz looked at the travel industry and saw an uncomfortable truth: the way we travel was fundamentally at odds with the planet we were traveling to explore.

The traditional luggage industry had operated largely unchanged for decades. Manufacturers used virgin plastics, unsustainable materials, and production processes that left significant carbon footprints. For travelers who cared about environmental issues, there seemed to be an impossible choice: either use conventional luggage that contributed to environmental degradation, or sacrifice quality and style for eco-friendly alternatives that often fell short in durability and design.

Indre and Andy refused to accept this false dichotomy. Both were frequent travelers who appreciated fine craftsmanship and understood that truly sustainable products couldn't be ones that fell apart after a few trips. They envisioned a different kind of travel brand - one that would prove sustainability and luxury weren't mutually exclusive, but could actually complement each other beautifully.

The Founders: Passion Meets Purpose

Understanding Paravel requires understanding its founders. Indre Rockefeller brings a unique perspective shaped by her background in fashion and her deep commitment to environmental causes. Her experience in the fashion industry gave her insight into both the possibilities and pitfalls of consumer goods manufacturing. She understood how brands could use materials innovation to create products that were both desirable and responsible.

Andy Krantz contributed extensive experience in building consumer brands and a keen understanding of what modern travelers actually need. Having spent years studying consumer behavior and brand development, Andy knew that sustainable products would only succeed if they met or exceeded conventional alternatives in every way that mattered to consumers: design, durability, functionality, and yes, aspiration.

Together, they shared a conviction that the travel industry was ripe for disruption. The rise of conscious consumerism meant more people were asking questions about where their products came from and how they were made. These weren't niche concerns anymore - they were becoming mainstream expectations. Indre and Andy saw an opportunity to build a brand that would lead this transformation rather than follow it.

Building Paravel: Innovation from the Ground Up

Creating Paravel wasn't simply a matter of taking existing luggage designs and swapping in recycled materials. The founders approached the challenge holistically, rethinking every aspect of what a travel brand could be.

The journey began with materials research. The team spent months investigating sustainable alternatives to conventional luggage components. They discovered that recycled polycarbonate could match - and in some cases exceed - the performance of virgin materials. They found suppliers who could transform post-consumer plastic bottles into durable, attractive fabric for bag interiors. They sourced recycled zippers, sustainable hardware, and eco-friendly packaging.

But materials were only part of the equation. The design process was equally rigorous. Paravel's team studied how travelers actually used their luggage, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement. They examined what made certain bags beloved and others frustrating. Every feature of every product was questioned: Was this necessary? Could it be done better? Would travelers actually use it?

This attention to detail extended to aesthetics as well. Paravel rejected the assumption that eco-friendly products had to look "earthy" or "granola." Instead, they developed a visual identity that blended vintage elegance with modern minimalism. The result was a product line that could sit alongside any luxury brand in terms of visual appeal while embodying fundamentally different values.

The Aviator Collection: Paravel's Flagship

When Paravel launched its flagship Aviator luggage collection, it immediately attracted attention. Here was sustainable luggage that didn't look or feel like a compromise. The Aviator carry-on featured a shell made from recycled polycarbonate, an interior lined with fabric woven from upcycled plastic bottles, and hardware designed to last for years of travel.

The collection proved that sustainable materials could deliver premium performance. The recycled polycarbonate shell was lightweight yet durable, capable of absorbing impacts without cracking. The 360-degree spinner wheels rolled smoothly and quietly. The TSA-approved locks, telescoping handles, and interior organization systems matched or exceeded what travelers expected from conventional luxury luggage.

Critics and consumers alike took notice. Publications like Vogue, Travel + Leisure, and Conde Nast Traveler featured Paravel, praising both its sustainability credentials and its undeniable style. The Aviator Carry-On became a favorite among frequent flyers who wanted to travel more responsibly without sacrificing convenience or aesthetics.

Beyond Luggage: Expanding the Vision

Success with the Aviator collection enabled Paravel to expand its vision. The brand introduced weekender bags, backpacks, and totes that brought the same commitment to sustainability and quality to different travel needs. The Fold-Up Bag collection proved particularly popular, offering packable bags perfect for souvenirs or day trips that could compress to almost nothing when not in use.

Travel accessories followed: packing cubes made from recycled materials, toiletry bags designed for efficient organization, and luggage tags that added personality while remaining practical. Each product underwent the same rigorous design process, ensuring it met Paravel's standards for sustainability, functionality, and style.

The expansion also included collaborations and limited editions that allowed Paravel to experiment with new materials, colors, and designs. These special releases created excitement among the brand's growing community while serving as testing grounds for innovations that might eventually make their way into the core collection.

The Mission: Changing How We Travel

At its core, Paravel's mission extends beyond making sustainable products. The brand aims to fundamentally change how people think about travel and consumption. This means not just creating eco-friendly luggage, but inspiring travelers to make more thoughtful choices across their journeys.

Paravel's commitment to sustainability encompasses more than materials. The company is a certified B Corporation, meeting rigorous standards for social and environmental performance. All shipments are carbon neutral, with offsets supporting verified environmental projects. The brand's packaging is recyclable and minimal, eliminating unnecessary materials wherever possible.

Education is another crucial component. Through its website, social media, and partnerships, Paravel shares information about sustainable travel practices, helping customers understand the environmental impact of their choices and offering practical alternatives. The goal is to create not just customers, but advocates who carry the message of conscious consumption into their communities.

Craftsmanship and Quality

Paravel understands that sustainability means nothing if products don't last. A bag that falls apart after a few trips, regardless of its materials, ultimately creates more waste than a conventional bag used for years. That's why the brand places enormous emphasis on craftsmanship and durability.

Every Paravel product is designed to withstand the rigors of real travel. This means extensive testing: zippers are stressed thousands of times, wheels are rolled over rough surfaces, shells are subjected to impacts and pressure. Products that don't meet the brand's standards don't make it to market.

The commitment to quality extends to customer service as well. Paravel stands behind its products with warranties and support that help customers get the maximum life from their purchases. When issues do arise, the brand works to resolve them quickly and fairly, understanding that every interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate its values.

The Community: Travelers United by Values

Perhaps Paravel's greatest achievement is the community it has built. The brand has attracted a loyal following of travelers who share its values and enthusiasm. These aren't just customers - they're advocates who recommend Paravel to friends, share their experiences on social media, and provide feedback that helps the brand improve.

This community spans demographics and geographies. Business travelers appreciate Paravel's professional aesthetic and practical features. Adventure travelers value its durability and eco-credentials. Fashion-forward travelers are drawn to its distinctive style. What unites them is a shared belief that travel should enrich our lives without impoverishing our planet.

Paravel nurtures this community through engagement and transparency. The brand shares behind-the-scenes looks at its design process, updates on sustainability initiatives, and honest discussions about the challenges of building a responsible business. This openness has built trust and deepened customer relationships in ways that traditional marketing never could.

Looking Forward: The Future of Travel

Paravel's story is still being written. The brand continues to innovate, exploring new sustainable materials and production methods. Research into bio-based plastics, regenerative agriculture-sourced fabrics, and circular economy models could yield the next generation of eco-friendly travel products.

The company also sees opportunities to influence the broader industry. As Paravel demonstrates that sustainable products can succeed commercially, it encourages competitors to raise their own standards. This competitive pressure could accelerate the shift toward more responsible manufacturing across the travel goods sector.

International expansion represents another frontier. While Paravel has built a strong presence in North America, travelers worldwide share the desire for sustainable options. Bringing the brand to new markets could multiply its environmental impact while introducing more travelers to the possibilities of conscious consumption.

The Legacy: More Than Products

When Indre and Andy founded Paravel, they set out to create sustainable luxury luggage. What they've built is something larger: a proof of concept that business can be a force for good, that consumers will embrace products that align with their values, and that sustainability and quality can not only coexist but enhance each other.

Every Paravel bag represents this vision made tangible. The recycled materials tell a story of waste diverted from landfills. The thoughtful design reflects countless hours of refinement. The durability promises years of travel to come. And the style reminds us that doing right by the planet doesn't mean sacrificing beauty or aspiration.

For travelers seeking to explore the world more responsibly, Paravel offers both practical tools and philosophical inspiration. The brand shows that our choices matter, that better alternatives exist, and that the journey toward sustainability can be just as rewarding as the destinations we're traveling to reach.