Packing with the founders of Cesta Collective

Erin Ryder and Courtney Fasciano are the founders of Cesta Collective, a mission-based handbag brand with travel in its DNA. All of their bags are designed in New York, woven in Rwanda, and finished in Italy—passed through the hands of multiple artisans along the way. Something about a woven bag just screams vacation, and while these look right at home on the beaches of Corfu (where they shoot their annual lookbooks—stay tuned for their Corfu list!) or Cape Cod, they look just as chic on the streets of Manhattan.       —C.S.

What’s your go-to luggage? 

ER: No matter the trip, I will always bring my trusty Rimowa suitcase stacked with my Cesta Canvas Tote on top. I designed this bag to be what I wanted in a carry-on. There is a leather slip pocket for your computer, a big zip pocket for miscellaneous bits and bobs, as well as pockets sized for a phone and for a passport. Plus, it fits perfectly on top of a carry-on roller suitcase. If I am going for a longer trip that requires a checked bag, the Rimowa trunk is my go-to. It’s such a great size and configuration. We also love these for Cesta photoshoot trips—so if you see about 8 of them next time you’re at JFK, say “hi!” to me and Courtney 🙂 

CF: If it’s for only a few days I really try to stick to carry-on only. I have a Tumi roller that’s going on year 15! It’s covered in TSA customs stickers from all my fun travels. When the first one was tacked on I was annoyed, but now it’s a fun reminder of where I’ve been—there are stickers from Zanzibar, Rwanda, Italy, Puerto Rico. Then I have a Paravel duffle that’s monogrammed with “Pepper’s Mom,” who’s my beloved Goldendoodle. This may have been a more clever joke before I gave birth to my daughter this year, but I’m not ready to abandon it. And I also love my limited-edition Cesta canvas tote—Erin’s a pocket girl and designed all of these nifty spots for essentials. These days, as I’m allergic to the idea of a diaper bag, I use it to keep baby Cricket’s must-haves with me without feeling like I’ve sacrificed style.

How do you approach the basics?

ER: I mostly dress in basics, and a lot of denim (both on top and bottom), so everything pretty easily pairs back. I wear a lotttt of stripes (usually from La Ligne), and I live in AYR’s Deep End Shirts. They are really great multitasking shirts that look put together, but are as comfortable as pajamas, and work just as well over a bathing suit as they do going to a nice dinner, depending on how you style them. 

CF: The older I get the more I find myself gravitating towards an unintentional uniform. I pack a variation on this kit for nearly every trip (aside from ski trips – a whole other conversation!). 

My must haves include Levi’s 517s from the ‘80s with a short inseam, and the most perfect wide leg Celine white jeans. I also really love my La Ligne Scalloped Val Pants and matching top—sometimes I wear the full look. If we’re headed to a beach, I pack my Cesta pareos in all three colors, as they’re a quick way to change the vibe of a simple maillot. A starched and pressed oversized Matteau Breton Stripe Tee is hands-down my most used piece—I dress it up for nights with a fun skirt and wear it with literally every other bottom in my bag. I dry clean them to make sure they are pristine at the beginning of a trip, since they get so much wear. I get very cold on planes and at night, so I always bring at least one cardigan—my two favorites are my La Ligne Marin Cardigan and my mustard yellow Lizzie Cardigan from my friend Laura’s brand, Le Lion. I like a “novelty” jacket or coat – I scored an epic ecru Bode workwear jacket with red and black pompoms at a swap meet in Laurel Canyon that I cherish. My other new treasure is a chocolate brown suede Fringe jacket from my friends at Gas & Grain Vintage in Coeur D’Alene Idaho. 

How do you think about how they’ll work together?

CF: Pretty much my entire wardrobe is denim, navy, white, oxford blue, red, mustard, olive or chocolate brown. There’s an occasional ballet pink in there. This makes it pretty easy for everything to blend together across seasons. We travel a lot for Cesta in the shoulder seasons—late September into October in southern Europe—when you need to be prepared for beach or cashmere temps. So I think in layers and add special accessories—my years of traveling for fashion month as an editor at Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar prepared me well for this. Any piece I take needs to have at least 3+ use cases to qualify. For instance, my beloved Hermès navy bandana, that Erin and I both have, can be used around my neck, wrist or hair. 

Are you a roller or a folder? 

ER: It depends on the item. For bulkier items, I will usually fold, as I find bulky items tend to take up less space this way. Otherwise, for almost all else, I am very pro-roll. 

CF: Always a roller and sometimes I use tissue paper to keep things crisp. 

Any other packing tricks or hacks? 

ER: Inside of my carry-on tote, I always use Cesta clutch(es) to keep things tidy: charging cords, vitamins, a hair clip, pens, etc. I try to avoid creating situations that will require digging around my bag for something—everything has its place. Plus, the clutch doubles as a chic bag when you get to your destination. 

This isn’t groundbreaking, but packing cubes are essential. They help to not only keep things organized, but help to optimize space. I use these from Paravel. 

CF: My MVP is my Cesta Tobacco Suede Clutch—it’s where I stash my tech necessities (cords, earbuds) and also lipsticks, hair do-dads, etc. enroute, and then it’s a chic dinner bag when I arrive. I also use the red and black versions too—one for my jewelry, one for scarves and sunglasses—so I have options. And I also love the Paravel Packing Cubes, Compression Cubes and sometimes even a heavy-duty ULine plastic zip-lock bag to keep things organized—especially baby clothes!

What’s your shoe strategy?

ER: Shoes are my Achilles heel when it comes to packing. I always take the shoe I’ll wear in transit into the equation of the rest of the trip—more often than not, that’s Converse High-top or Vans, specifically the “authentic LX” in off-white. I have been wearing both regularly since college (which is longer ago than I care to admit), and still love them just as much. 

I am a big walker, so I almost always bring a shoe for that. Right now, a pair of Salomons come with me everywhere—and bonus, they’re Gore-Tex, so a great waterproof-ish option as well. If I am sticking to just a carry-on for the trip, for somewhere warm I will bring a sandal, and somewhere cooler I’ll pack a loafer and/or boot. If I am checking luggage, all bets are off. 

For Cesta photoshoots, we tend to shoot near water/on a beach, so I always wear Tevas while shooting. I am excited about this new take on their classic that has slimmer straps—I am hoping the slimmer straps will help alleviate the terrible Teva tan lines I get every summer.

CF: I am a runner and always think I’m going to fit in a jog on shoots (it never happens) which means my District Vision New Balance’s are a must. I pack a special gladiator sandal, my favorites are by Gabriela Hearst and Khaite, for nights and fancy lunches. And then for day options I reach for my Il Pellicano x Birkenstock camel canvas sandals and something sporty like these, for active pursuits like if we’re getting on a boat, which happens more often than you’d imagine in Cesta-land. 

In my past life as a magazine editor, I tortured my feet in super high heels for long days and the memory still makes me shudder. Now I rarely wear heels. But if I have to, I love my navy suede wrap kitten heels from Emme Parsons or block heel Chanel sandals with flashy gold chains that are crazy comfortable and bring a va-va-voom to my look. 

How do you think about accessories? 

ER: Versatility is a through line for me. I always travel with our Zip Card Holder as my wallet (it takes up so much less space and is great for coins, which I find myself accumulating in Europe). I typically use our Crossbody in transit; it’s great for easy access to the essentials and has a pocket that perfectly fits a passport in the back. 

CF: I always bring one crossbody, like my Black Bucket Bag or my Mini Fan Bag for day, and one day-to night Lunchpail like the Core Checkerboard Woven Handle Lunchpail for dinners. The Lunchpail looks as great with a blazer and jeans as it does with a sundress so it fits my hot/cold versatility rule. And lately, I’ve been throwing everything into a Cesta Taco Tote (Navy Breton is my favorite) including all the baby stuff, it’s truly a capacious tote. 

I love jewelry and bring a bunch because I think it can easily transform a look – included on any trip are my Bullseye Earrings from my dear friends at Of Rare Origin that are perfect with wet hair and a stained lip at the beach but also formal attire if the trip calls for it. 

Do you have a great travel hat? 

ER: I am a big baseball hat fan. I love this one by my friend Awet. I always travel with it. A baseball hat is perfect for travel because it isn’t precious, folds down almost flat, and can take a lot of wear.  I love a canvas bucket hat for the same reasons, and wear this Jacquemus one a lot as well.

CF: I am a fan of Janessa Leone hats and have a bunch. I especially like the Harlow Hat, because it offers a slew of sun protection and has a wire brim so you can mold it back into place after transit. Her Felix Bucket Hat is universally flattering and I have it in a chic chocolate brown, but it’s a bit more delicate so I save it for special trips when I have room to pack it in a hard-case roller for protection. Fun trick: I pack a Cesta Lunchpail in its dust bag (also stuffed with socks or other necessities) inside my hats to help support their shape in transit!

What’s always in your Dopp kit/toiletry bag? 

ER: I am pretty specific about the products I use because I have very sensitive skin, so I am almost always prepared and don’t plan to buy anything upon arrival. That said, I am a sucker for a European pharmacy, and almost always end up with something new anytime I am out of the States. 

I never leave home without Hermès nail files – I blame Courtney for this habit, as she gifted them to me once and I’ve been hooked ever since. They’re really, honestly, the best nail file out there – and they come in a teeny, tiny orange Hermès box! How could one resist? 

For the face: Cetaphil face wash, Augustine Bader moisturizer (I’ve tried to convert to other, less expensive options, but it’s just the best and I always find myself crawling back), and Dr. Barbara Sturm Eye Cream. 

For toothpaste: Bite (fluoride free)—it’s a women owned, carbon neutral company – using zero plastic (!), and it’s always safe to be carried on, as it does not contain any liquid. Check, check, and check. My favorite floss: Burst. I love this stuff. It works so well. 

And for the body: I am a big Neccesaire fan. I use the Euculyptus Body Wash and Body Lotion. Both available in travel size. 

Ever since we started our company and I was no longer putting on make-up everyday to head to an office, I pretty much stopped wearing it; but, I am still obsessed with mascara and have tried them alllll (seriously). I am loving this new one from Goop. First off, it’s clean (a big must for me); plus, it’s both a treatment serum AND a non-flaking or clumping mascara. For all other make-up, when I do wear it, I keep it simple: Chanel bronzer or Jones Road Miracle Balm, sometimes both layered together, and Rose Inc Clear Shaping Gel – Azi Sacks, an eyebrow expert, introduced me to this stuff and I’ve never looked back. It’s clean and works as a conditioning serum. I clearly love multitasking items. 

CF: I am a die-hard devotee of Biologique Recherche P-50 and will not travel without it. I always have the travel size in stock at home so I’m ready, and it’s my favorite thing to use once I’ve landed after an overnight flight. The minute I stopped breastfeeding it was back into my daily routine. I use Crown Affair serum to keep my wavy/curly hair hydrated on the go and then let it do its wild thing.

On a plane, what essentials does your carry-on bag always contain?

ER: My computer comes everywhere with me (founder problems), and so does whichever book I am currently reading. I relish in take off and landing when shutting my laptop is mandated and I am forced not to work – it’s the perfect time to jump into my book. 

I always bring a Papermate marker tip pen, a notebook and, of course, my Apple headphones, which I really love and honestly find far superior to other noise-canceling headphones I’ve had in the past. I also like to have a deck of cards with me for entertainment in case of delays. I hate to be cold on the plane, so I always bring an oversized cashmere scarf that can also act as a blanket. Right now, I am using this Hermès one most often – it’s the perfect summer weight and doubles as a great layering piece to have off the plane as well. Jao antibacterial spray is always, always with me. I am the biggest fan of this stuff. It smells great and never dries out my hands or leaves a lingering residue like every other one I’ve tried. And speaking of dry hands, hand lotion is always coming with me on board as well. Again, I love the one by Necessaire. Sangre de Fruta is another current favorite as well – and available in this perfectly-sized, cute travel bottle. 

For international flights, I arrive with a clean face, but will re-apply a thick layer of moisturizer and brush my teeth before trying to fall asleep – which I am usually unsuccessful at. Though bringing an eye mask with me (mine is from Lunya) has been a game changer.

CF: I am a power napper—give me 10 minutes and a place to lay my head and it’s lights out. So I always pack an eye mask, like this one from Slip, even for short domestic flights. I often have actual eye masks hidden underneath; my faves are these from 111Skin that Erin and I discovered when we did an event with their team in Scotland.

Any wisdom on traveling with electronics? 

ER: I am a total geek for organization, and loose charging cords drive me bananas. I use these Leatherology magnetic cord wraps – I have the bigger one for my computer charger and smaller for my phone charger to keep me sane and my cords tidy!

CF: Bags in bags in bags. I also have a full set of everything—phone charger, computer charger, converters etc. packed and ready to go at all times, it’s one less thing to stress about each time I travel. I also do this with my toiletries – it’s ready to go at any time.

Do you have a travel uniform?

ER: No matter how hot it is where I am leaving from, nor where I am headed, I refuse to travel in shorts. It’s my #1 travel rule. Usually I opt for loose pants or some that allow for movement, a button-down shirt, and a blazer or jacket with pockets. I really try to avoid ever looking too sloppy while traveling, but especially on longer/international flights, I fully lean into comfort. I walk a fine line!  

CF: I really love an Oxford blue men’s button up shirt so I can unbutton it a bit and roll up the sleeves when we land somewhere hot and sticky. Whichever cardigan is coming along on the trip will be in my carry-on as well. 

I like to travel in wide-leg pants that allow me to curl up and snooze without much trouble. I have been stalking the Jamie Haller team to know when these absolutely perfect olive pants will be restocked, because they’re the only thing I want to wear on a plane ever again. I would never travel in sweats. However, if you spot me in leggings, it’s only because we’ve been shooting for 10 days straight on location and I’m so tired I barely know my own name. And in that instance, I really really love traveling in my shearling lined Fairy flats from The Row – they’re like Uggs, but fancy.