The search for the perfect Christmas gift often leads us down the rabbit hole of fleeting trends. But this year, elevate your gifting with something built to last, designed to impress, and created with a story of pure intention: Overnight Travel Bags (OTB). Born from a spontaneous dare in August 2022—when founder Bobby Daniels joked with an artist he managed about his worn duffle bag and accepted the challenge to “make it”—OTB has quickly become a standout in the luxury travel space. We sat down with Daniels to unpack the philosophy behind the brand and why his “deployment quality” bags are the must-have item for the discerning traveler on your list.
Defining Modern Luxury and the Core Promise
For Daniels, luxury isn’t just about a price tag—it’s about an experience. He defines luxury in the travel space by “premium materials, Grade-A craftsmanship, and thoughtful details,” insisting that OTB “create[s] luxury experiences meant to be carried.” The brand’s philosophy is built on four core values—Luxury, Style, Functionality, and Experience—and the name itself was inspired by a quiet moment during a red-eye flight from D.C. to Amsterdam. The OTB collection embodies this commitment through clean lines, balanced proportions, and a design that is meant to complement personal style, not compete with it.
This elevated experience begins the moment the gift is opened. Every bag arrives nestled in a silk dust bag inside a branded box, complete with a Certificate of Authenticity. Daniels notes that select limited drops are even delivered in one-of-a-kind collector boxes, turning the unboxing into part of the journey. This meticulous attention to detail is paramount, driven by a tight partnership with his assistant, Elisa, who refines his concepts and handles the graphic elements, ensuring the final product meets their standard of luxury.
Engineered for the Road and Airport Compliance
A travel bag’s beauty is only skin deep if it can’t handle a trip through the airport. Daniels, whose professional background includes artist management, road management, and being a Supervisor Emergency Manager conducting home inspections, provided him with an “extreme-use mindset.” He designed OTB with “deployment quality” in mind because his life often involves short-notice travel. He conducts thorough research on the strictest airline carry-on regulations—starting with SPIRIT—and intentionally designs his bags under those limits to “deny the snarky attitude” of airport monitors.
The OTB carry-on duffles are sized at a conservative 20 x 10 x 11 inches, easily fitting overhead or under the seat, and are structurally ready to comfortably support up to 50 lbs. Beyond size, the bags feature crucial functionality, including an external USB port for seamless power bank use, a hidden pocket for quick-access essentials, and an integrated trolley strap to slide securely over suitcase handles. This commitment to durability is not just theoretical; Daniels only uses his own bags on deployments, constantly field-testing them in real emergency and travel conditions.
Conscientious Craftsmanship and Expanding the Vision
For the ethical shopper, OTB’s materials selection is a deliberate choice. Daniels was clear from the start: he wanted a bag that looked and felt luxurious but was not made with traditional animal leather. “Sustainability is built into the foundation of the brand,” he states, confirming that OTB is a vegan leather–only company. The materials are sourced for a premium handfeel and strong abrasion resistance. This is paired with luxury-grade, branded hardware—selected for a smooth glide and solid pull—and a prestige, satin logo lining inside, ensuring the interior feels just as elevated as the exterior. Daniels notes that establishing a consistent overseas manufacturing process was challenging, requiring three full rounds of prototypes to achieve the “masterpiece” OTB™ Go Duffle Bags.
As a Black-owned business in the luxury space, Daniels has strategically leveraged relationships in the entertainment and fashion industries, viewing his success as an “adventure.” He has placed his bags at high-profile events like the Oscars’ “Everyone Wins” swag bag gift suite, the Whitney Houston 40th celebration, and Fashion Week in Milan and New York. This strategy reinforces his clear statement that “Black-owned luxury is not an exception, it is an expectation,” designed to resonate with any culture of people.
Daniels is now focusing on exciting next steps that center on collaborations, new product categories, and storytelling. These milestones include a pending collaboration with Lil Duval’s Rich Broke brand, and developing a line of specialty products like his personal chef bag and chef knives (drawing on his background as a former chef). He also plans to Executive Produce an online series documenting the creation of his limited-edition collaboration pieces, leveraging his relationships with DMV-based artists and chefs. The biggest hurdle? Time management, specifically balancing content production with his full-time job during the demanding holiday season. He’s had to learn to build in extra time for the 30-day production window and potential shipping delays, stressing, “The worst thing you can do as a small business is get caught with no product.”
The Ideal Customer and Future of Luxury Travel
Daniels defines his ideal customer as “everyone who moves with intention”—from the everyday traveler to the high-end frequent flyer. His goal is to sell a high-end experience at a reasonable price, appealing to parents, creatives, executives, artists, and entrepreneurs. While the core collection is built on classic colors that ensure timeless luxury, Daniels strategically layers in bolder, seasonal shades, aiming to release three new colors each quarter to stay current without chasing every trend.
Looking ahead, Daniels sees the definition of luxury travel shifting toward smarter, more connected experiences, with AI and self-driving suitcases on the horizon. OTB is preparing by continuing to refine its fundamentals—materials, durability, and smart organization—while remaining open to integrating new technologies. However, the physical, tactile experience will always be paramount; he wants customers to “fall in love with it when they touch it.” He plans to integrate a digital element, allowing customers to “try on” and experience products virtually through VR product reviews and the metaverse, ensuring the brand stays rooted in timeless design while adapting to lead as expectations evolve.
His final advice to young entrepreneurs? “Design for yourself and allow your fan base to find you and grow with you.“
He attributes his own perseverance to years spent supporting others’ dreams, which gave him the insight and resilience to build OTB on his own terms.
This holiday season, an OTB piece is more than just a piece of luggage. It’s a mark of trust and refined taste, a gift that promises to elevate every trip, built with resilience, and delivered with the confidence of true luxury. It’s the gift that says, “I see you, and I appreciate your journey.”
