The Art of the Overpack: Jewelry Designer Marla Aaron and Wolf Debut the ‘Some of the Things Box’

Main Facts: The Collaboration and the Case

New York-based jewelry designer Marla Aaron has never been shy about her packing habits. An unapologetic overpacker, Aaron approaches travel the same way she approaches her collections: with an appreciation for intricate mechanics, tactile materials, and the comforting security of having everything she could possibly need right at hand. This shared fascination with compartments, closures, and storage mechanisms forms the cornerstone of her ongoing creative partnership with luxury storage specialist Wolf.

Following the success of previous collaborative ventures like the Everything and Baby Everything boxes, the duo has returned with their latest offering: the Some of the Things Box.

Priced at £435, the compact travel case is engineered to turn the logistical chore of packing fine jewelry into a sensory experience. The exterior features a sleek, lacquered wooden finish available in five distinct shades: Chocolate, Vanilla, Navy, Tomato, and Bubblegum. Unfolding the case reveals an interior lined with Wolf’s proprietary LusterLoc-treated ultrasuede—a specialized fabric designed to absorb hostile gases known to cause jewelry to tarnish over time. Inside, users will find brass hooks accompanied by protective pockets, snap-fastened ring rolls, a secure zipped compartment, and an envelope-style section. Each compartment is accessed through its own deliberate, satisfying ritual, marrying utility with high design.

The case officially launches in London on October 16, followed by its United States debut on October 27. For Aaron, who has already integrated the case into her personal travel rotation, taking her jewelry on the road is nothing short of "a delicious experience." To mark the launch, Aaron sat down for Wallpaper’s In Transit interview series, offering a deep dive into her travel philosophies, creative habits, and the memories that shaped her relationship with the world.

Chronology: A Lifelong Journey in Transit

Aaron’s relationship with travel is rooted in a lifetime of movement, dictated by family, international exchange, and a demanding career as an independent jewelry designer.

• Early Childhood: Aaron’s earliest travel memory dates back to age five, when she and her mother journeyed from New York to Los Angeles to visit an aunt. Reflecting an entirely different era of air travel—when passengers dressed formally for flights—her mother took her to Bergdorf Goodman to curate a travel wardrobe. The centerpiece was a pristine purple wool coat with a matching hat and dress. Though Aaron refused to take the coat off, a bout of severe motion sickness on the plane ruined the garment permanently, leaving her with a vivid, if slightly traumatic, initiation into long-distance transit.
• Adolescence (Age 17): A formative chapter in Aaron’s life occurred when she spent a year living as an exchange student in a remote village in Argentina. She credits this transformative immersion with fundamentally shaping her worldview and personal identity.
• Early Adulthood (Age 22): During a trip to Africa, Aaron discovered a small, handcrafted wooden stool. Despite the logistical nightmare of hauling furniture across international borders, she carried it home. Decades and multiple homes later, the stool still holds a place of honor in her living room.
• Mid-Career & Present: Juggling a New York-based business while maintaining ties to family outside the city, Aaron became a frequent flyer by necessity. Her transit habits evolved into a sacred routine of disconnection: a time to indulge in movies, reading, and digital downtime rather than work. This constant state of motion ultimately inspired her product design philosophy, culminating in her collaborative storage solutions with Wolf.

Supporting Data & Design Specifications

To truly understand the Some of the Things Box, one must look at the technical specifications and lifestyle habits that informed its creation:

• Product Name: Some of the Things Box
• Collaborators: Marla Aaron and Wolf
• Launch Dates: October 16 (London); October 27 (United States)
• Retail Price: £435
• Exterior Finishes: Lacquered wood available in Chocolate, Vanilla, Navy, Tomato, and Bubblegum.
• Interior Technology: LusterLoc™ treated ultrasuede lining (absorbs hostile atmospheric gases to prevent tarnish for up to 35 years).
• Storage Architecture: Brass hooks with protective pockets, snap-fastened ring rolls, a secure zip compartment, and an envelope-style section.
• The "Sick Pouch" Concept: Aaron’s essential-yet-excessive travel staple containing a portable pharmacy of medicine, plasters, and specialized teas to avoid navigating foreign pharmacies while unwell.
• Signature Beauty/Fashion Staples: Pixi Moisture Sticks for in-flight hydration, an extra layer of knitwear, and a versatile day-to-evening bag (specifically noting designs by Joseph Duclos).

Official Perspectives: In Conversation with Marla Aaron

In her interview with Wallpaper, Aaron offered candid insights into what it means to live out of a suitcase and how unexpected encounters shape her creative lens.

On Packing Philosophy and Necessity

When asked whether she packs for who she is or who she aspires to become, Aaron is unequivocal: "Who I am, always. The latter is a terrible idea."

This pragmatic self-awareness extends to her notorious "sick pouch." While some might view a full apothecary of medicine and teas as dead weight, Aaron views it as non-negotiable insurance. Having previously navigated the grueling task of acquiring medical supplies in a foreign language while sick and alone, she refuses to leave her health to chance.

On Unexpected Encounters in the Skies

Though Aaron admits she is not typically inclined to chat with strangers on airplanes, a flight from Palm Beach to New York proved to be an exception. She found herself seated next to renowned Zimbabwean jewelry designer Patrick Mavros.

"I don’t really talk to strangers on planes, but Patrick was insistent," Aaron recalls. The encounter was initially so frosty that Mavros later teased her about her unfriendliness—a critique she acknowledges was fair. The chance seating of two independent jewelry designers led to a lasting friendship and a subsequent visit to Aaron’s New York showroom. It served as a lasting lesson in remaining open to the serendipity of travel.

On Travel Rituals

Some travelers swear by rigid schedules; Aaron swears by room service. No matter how magnificent a hotel’s dining room may be, her non-negotiable ritual is having breakfast in bed, accompanied by quiet coffee, before she even thinks about getting dressed.

Implications: The Intersection of Luxury Storage and Modern Mobility

The release of the Some of the Things Box highlights a broader shift in the luxury market toward hyper-functional, highly specialized travel accessories. As high-end consumers increasingly prioritize experiential travel and personal mobility, the demand for luggage and accessories that protect high-value, sentimental items has surged.

For Marla Aaron, whose brand is built around tactile, mechanical hardware (such as her signature lock necklaces), the collaboration with Wolf is a natural extension of her design ethos. It translates her obsession with secure, satisfying closures into a home for the very items that travel with her.

Furthermore, the collaboration speaks to the modern luxury consumer’s desire for personalization and joy in organization. By injecting vibrant colorways (Tomato and Bubblegum) alongside classic neutrals (Chocolate and Navy) into a traditional product category, Aaron and Wolf have transformed a utilitarian item into a statement piece.

Ultimately, Aaron’s travel philosophy—embracing overpacking, prioritizing comfort, and maintaining personal rituals—offers a refreshing antidote to minimalist travel trends. Whether she is hauling a vintage African stool across continents or protecting a platinum chain in a lacquered box, her approach proves that bringing a piece of home with you isn’t an indulgence; it’s an art form.