Will Power: Meet Caroline Grosch of Volition Goods
Meet Caroline Grosch
We are delighted to have teamed up with Volition Goods to offer a fabulous stay at any of the Alexander Hotel Collection, with a beautiful luxury bag from Volition. We sat down for a chat with Caroline Grosch, founder of Volition Goods, to understand how she came up with the brand and what she’s doing now to tackle the isolation-blues.
So Caroline, how did the idea to start Volition come about?
The idea to create a brand for premium travel bags and accessories initially came up when I moved to London a few years ago. Back then, I was working in a corporate job and had just completed an MBA programme.
I’ve always loved to travel, explore new places and get to know people. Also, style, aesthetics, interior design, films and music have always fascinated me. I felt that I wanted to create a brand for travel bags that blends those two worlds – the seriousness of the corporate environment with the friskiness that lives in each of us. Needless to say that, by launching from a standing start and without a ‘network’, it took some time to get the essentials and to make those valuable connections that enabled me to develop and launch the signature travel bag collection in 2019. It has been a steep and absolutely fascinating learning curve!
What’s the idea behind the brand?
Volition encourages us to take a look beyond the usual, to experience new horizons – always in a fun and effortless way. Combining seriousness and playfulness, the subtle travel bag designs feature an unexpected pattern only visible to its owner, hence allowing them to hide their frisky side. Led by this idea, I aspire to create travel bags and accessories to the highest quality. A lot of research went into the careful selection of materials, such as the choice of the leather, the development of the bespoke hardware or the collaboration with a tattoo artist for the inner lining.
Signature lining, designed by a tattoo artist
Tell us about the beautiful lining of the bags – how did the collaboration with the tattoo artist come about?
For the signature collection, I collaborated with tattoo artist Sven Rayen at Studio Palermo in Antwerp who drew the elements for the lining. I was initially looking for a graphic designer but then happened upon his work and was absolutely fascinated by his level of detail.
The pattern itself represents a hot-air balloon and a monkey – the hot-air balloon representing travelling with a different perspective. After all, you never know exactly when, where and how you will be landing! Complemented by a mischievous monkey, reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.
How do you cope with being house-bound?
Unexpectedly, I’m really enjoying the time at home (for now!). I’m able to work in a very focused way as there is are very few distractions. This has allowed me to connect more with my creative side and to come up with lots of new ideas – such as speaking with you guys at the AHC!
I don’t know what the next weeks and months will bring and it’s easy to paint it all black and gloomy. However, I’m an optimist by nature and leaving aside the obviously very challenging situation for many of us, I believe that it may also yield new ways of collaboration, togetherness and possibilities. Apart from that I’m imagining packing one of my travel bags and look forward to going to a beautiful place as soon as things are back to normal!
What do you do to stay physically and mentally fit?
Staying fit is essential for me to keep my spirits up! I’ve been following a routine for years which pays off now – I’m an early riser so I’m always up around 6am at the latest (not easy for everyone I know but you get used to it!). I practice some yoga and meditate first, and usually go for a run or a swim afterwards. I live just a stone’s throw away from Hyde Park and now more than ever appreciate the proximity to this urban oasis.
Fresh and healthy food is also vital for me but the most important thing I think right now, is it to stay connected with friends and family – which for me is food for the soul! I feel extremely lucky to have such amazing people in my life who I can call whenever I have a low moment, or want to share any news or just feel the need to be ridiculously silly with someone.
Tell us about the collaboration with Alexander Hotels?
I’ve known Elliott the Marketing Director at Alexander Hotels for a while now, and we’ve wanted to work together for some time. The idea to include a bag with a stay makes perfect sense to us both – you can use the gift you’ve just received straight away! We’re looking forward to collaborating further on social media, and hope our followers will share stories of where they have gone with the bags and of course which of the Alexander Hotel Collection properties they have visited.
The promotion includes one of my beautiful Vito Travel Bags, which retail at £720 and a night away with breakfast at one of the hotels, which is available to use any day of the week.
The Vito Travel Bag – view online here
Shop the gift voucher promotion here, with pricing INCLUDING a Vito Travel Bag worth £720 and an overnight stay with breakfast:
Volition Goods – Discover at Will: volitiongoods.com