Mark & Graham’s Travel Expert Talks All Things Travel

Kate Lesher is well versed on all the packing items you need for any type of trip. As the senior vice president for Mark & Graham, a gifting brand that has a cult following for its travel products, Kate oversees the collection and introduces new items to the mix.

I personally swear by Mark & Graham for my domestic and global adventures and on car trips and flights. I rely on their packing cubes, carry-on and check-in suitcases, beach bags, duffels, totes and tech organizers. The best part is that everything can be personalized and is fashionable to boot.

Kate is well-suited for her job: raised on the East Coast, she developed an early love for exploration, a tradition she continues with her three young adult children, she says. Their trips included a cherished return to Kenya, a country that holds a special place in her heart since her first visit when she was 20.

In Kate’s role, she travels internationally, working to develop new products, while always keeping an eye out for inspiration for the next “it” thing. A self-confessed packaholic, she enjoys bringing a variety of options on her escapades.

Below, she shares insights into Mark & Graham’s travel products and lets us in on her past and upcoming escapes.

What are the bestsellers from Mark & Graham’s travel collection?

The Terminal 1 Luggage Collection is our very best seller. It is as a stylish as it is functional. Customers are choosing to carry on their luggage more than ever, which is why we are now selling it in an expandable version. Sometimes you carry on the luggage on the way there, but you can expand the luggage for the way home to bring back items you bought while away.

Our packing cubes! A must-have for to stay super organized, while packing and during your trip.

We love weekenders; they have a similar amount of space as carry on luggage, but are great for road trips or local vacations. My favorite is the Canvas and Leather Weekender. I also love to have an expandable bag that sits nicely on top of my luggage. My go-to is the Terminal 1 Expandable Travel Tote. The zipper compartment at the bottom enables you to pack extra items, as needed, and the built in trolley pass that keeps it securely on your luggage.

I love adding a little style (and making my bag easy to identify) with a colorful monogrammed luggage tag, like our Fillmore Vegan Collection. Also comes in a matching Passport Case.

Our Travel Jewelry Case is an essential. I can’t travel without it. It keeps your jewelry safe and organized on the go.

Lastly, our Clear coated cosmetic bags are a popular item for the traveler because they are wipeable, keep things organized and are offered in a variety of fun, colorful prints.

In your opinion, what are the travel essentials you need for every trip? Of course, you need a bag, but are items such as packing cubes really necessary?

I love packing cubes. They are a lifesaver for packing things like your running shoes too. My essentials are a good carry on tote, like the Essential Weekender, a toiletry bag that is preloaded with your travel size products. I also pack a good cashmere sweater, a fun patterned blanket scarf which is great travel for planes, a good sleep mask, lots of neutral clothing that you can mix and match, pouches to keep everything organized, shoe bags and packing cubes, a crossbody that from goes day to night, a passport holder and a luggage tag.

How can the right products make your travel easier?

Traveling can be stressful. Staying organized helps a ton! Items like lightweight bags and waterproof pouches are especially helpful. I also always pack easy transitional neutrals for my clothing. I love having a beautiful carry on bag that is a statement piece when you walk through the airport.

What’s your approach to shorter versus longer trips? What products do you take for a week—or two-week-long trip compared with a weekend trip?

For the weekend, I recommend using a carry on rolling luggage with a great tote on top. I sometimes nest a few bags into my tote if I need a beach bag as well.

No matter the length, I always use packing cubes because it helps me to unpack when I arrive and helps me to fit more in my luggage!

I would check my luggage and not worry about trying to minimize my packing.

Do you use different products for leisure versus business trips? If so, share the differences.

I really pack the same way for both business and leisure; it is always best to have a system so it is less stressful. For leisure, my carry on tote may be a little more casual and colorful. For business, I use the Terminal 1 Laptop Carry On as my luggage for easy access to my computer.

If you had to recommend three Mark & Graham travel products that everyone should invest in, what would they be?

Our Terminal 1 Expandable Carry On in navy blue is a winner, a 6 Piece Packing Cube Set in navy blue stripes to stay classic and our Essential Leather Weekender in Camel Leather.

What are your most memorable trips?

To the Amalfi Coast for my 25^th anniversary, Bermuda for spring break, Paris with my 21 year old daughter to see Taylor Swift and a safari in Kenya with the family.

Where are you headed next?

Around the world from India to Italy to work on product development for two weeks.

Are there any destinations on your bucket list?

I want to ski in Japan in January when they have so much snow and also to go to Australia.