If there were a Transformers toy designed for adult women, it would resemble Parallelle’s Traveller series of toiletry bags. These bags, ribbed on the exterior like Optimus Prime’s boots, appear as ordinary yet stylish makeup bags from the outside. However, inside, they reveal a complex arrangement of various-sized pockets, loops, and adjustable dividers. Unzipping the bag fully and folding the sides down transforms it into a makeup organizer that keeps travel toiletries upright and orderly, similar to a home setup. Once finished, users can flip the sides up, zip it back to the top, and have a sturdy, compact travel bag ready to be placed in a suitcase in any orientation.
The Traveller was conceived by Annie Fan, a seasoned designer of private-label bags. Fan, who enjoyed attending a SoulCycle spin class before work, often experienced difficulties finding her makeup and toiletries or was forced to use communal counters. In 2022, she decided to design her own comprehensive travel cosmetics bag. According to Fan, “The design had to enable the bag to function as a portable vanity—ensuring everything remained visible, secure, and in place without unpacking.”
Fan underwent a detailed process of refinement, producing 60 prototypes to perfect the design. She emphasized the importance of every detail, from layout flexibility to maintaining organization and accessibility.
Currently, the Traveller series includes four sizes, each made with durable vegan leather and a water-resistant cotton exterior. The Small version features nine pockets, two divided compartments, two mesh pouches, and five loops for brushes. The Medium includes 16 pockets, three divided compartments, and four mesh pouches. The Large offers 20 pockets, three divided compartments, and six mesh pouches. Additionally, there is a “Brush” version, standing 9.6 inches tall, which includes 13 wall pockets, a zippered pouch, and ample space for full-size products.
These bags were tested on a five-day family trip to Louisiana, demonstrating their capacity to hold a substantial amount of skin-care products and makeup. Upon arrival, placing a Traveller on the bathroom counter and unzipping it fully displayed all products clearly, undamaged from travel, and easy to access. Despite testing over 20 toiletry bags in the past year, the Traveller bags left a significant impression.
