Packing with Danielle Corona

Danielle Corona is the founder and creative director of Hunting Season, a NYC-based accessories brand. As a frequent flier between Colombia, where she lives and her artisans are based, and the NYC HQ, she has perfected the skill of restrained packing. —C.S.

What’s your go-to luggage? 

I have three children and luggage is a very important part of our travel life. For large luggage, I use the Eastpak 4 wheels. They are light and never incur extra baggage charges, don’t take too much space in a car, and are easy to store at home. They fit a lot and are discreet.  The Hunting Season weekender  is soft, light and easy to place on my rolling luggage.

How do you approach the basics?

Packing is always an exercise in restraint. I love that it forces me to ask myself what I actually “need” and even then I don’t use half of it. 

My basics depend on the weather, of course. On a warm beachy trip, I reach for caftans and light dresses that don’t wrinkle much and make sense for the day and convert to a dinner dress by simply adding an earring and lipstick. For a city getaway, I always bring a great jacket and my  Lucchese  cowboy boots. They are American classics and give you some height, but are very comfortable and go easy from day to night. They also make me feel close to the ranch when I’m far away. For a trip to the mountains, hiking boots are a problem to bring, but they’re a must since we are avid hikers. 

Are you a roller or a folder? 

Folder.

Any other packing tricks or hacks?

Yes,  Issey Miyake Pleats Please  is the ultimate travel brand. Nothing from them wrinkles or takes up any space in luggage and it always looks great! 

What’s your shoe strategy?

My go-to shoes are a Manolo Blahnik short block heel in nude, a Loro Piana sandal (that they sadly don’t make anymore) that are definitely an investment piece, but you can walk miles in them and they are beautiful. For travel days, I wear a Venetian slipper.

How do you think about accessories?

For a handbag, our  soft clutch  is usually a go-to. It works to store things in my larger bag and then becomes an evening clutch for a night out. For jewelry I pack a necklace and two options for earrings to dress up any look.

Do you have a great travel hat? 

Yes, from  Sensi Studio. It folds and comes back to shape and is nice looking. 

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

The  Intellishade tinted SPF  from Revision Skincare, serums from  Skinceuticals  or a clinical serum, the Augustinus Bader  rich cream moisturizer, and  Westman Atelier  makeup products.   

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

Hunting season  travel cases! I like mixing and matching them. They are a practical way to store small items like snacks, books, my laptop, headphones. 

What’s your pharmacy kit? 

Depends on where I am. I am a vitamin and supplement junkie and just got back from Switzerland which has the best! I like the  Vitamin C from Burgerstein,  Fenistil  gel for any skin irritations, bites or sunburns,  Weleda  for body washes, lotions and creams. Speaking of Switzerland I stop at Auer for  Chocolate covered almonds in Geneva if I am there and bring them home as gifts. I have not figured out a good strategy for packing my supplements. I would love some tips. 

Any wisdom on traveling with electronics?  

I do have to pack my phone, laptop and headphones (I travel often and need access to my work life), but when I’m on family holidays I turn my phone off for days. It is the best gift you can give yourself. Sometimes I miss photo ops because of it, but it’s so worth it. 

Do you have a travel uniform?

Yes, a knit set by  The Row  I found on The RealReal (where I do most of my shopping). It’s comfortable and beautiful and feels almost like pajamas but looks put together. For a short summer flight, I wear a linen set from  CP Shades. I’ve been wearing them for years and purchase a new color every year or two.